Managing Scripted Installation

Your downloaded materials include everything needed to prepare for, and then execute, scripted installations of the various server(s) needed in your implementation. This allows you to minimize interaction and reduce the likelihood of unnoticed human error that may later disrupt your implementation.

One script (and its support files) may either be used for a single-server implementation, or used repeatedly for a multi-server implementation with only a small configuration difference for each server.

A separate script can also implement Flexera Analytics as part of your implementation.

The instructions in this section assume that you have unzipped the downloaded installer and support files to a file share that is accessible from all the servers you want to configure (as described in Download the Materials). If this is not the case, make a local copy of the entire unzipped archive on each server.

Typical workflow for scripted installation

Remember: Databases must exist before you start scripted installation (see Create Databases for details).
Keep in mind the block diagram of servers you planned for your logical application server, as discussed in Design the Topography. The summary workflow is:
  1. Optionally, set up encryption for credentials to be referenced in the answer file(s) (see Prepare Encrypted Credentials). If you choose not to do this, the relevant account name and password appear in the answer file(s) in plain text.
  2. Create an answer file containing all configuration details, based on the sample FlexNet Manager Suite answer file provided (see Prepare the Answer File(s)).
  3. Make a copy of the answer file for each server in your block diagram (such as the web application server, the batch server, and the inventory server), and modify the FEATURES setting appropriately in the answer file for each server. Of course, if you have designed a single-server implementation, you require only the one answer file.
  4. On each of your servers:
    1. Optionally, save the required command-line parameters as PowerShell variables (see Running a Scripted Installation).
    2. Provide the correct answer file for this server's functionality.
    3. Run the supplied script with the appropriate command line (see Running a Scripted Installation).
    The script completes both the installation and configuration required for each server.
  5. For Flexera Analytics, use a similar process:
    1. Customize the answer file, which in this case is an .xml file.
    2. Run the specialized script on your Cognos server (see Installing Flexera Analytics).
    3. Configure the application server with the URL of your Flexera Analytics server.
    4. Ensure that one or more roles have been created to permit access.
    5. Add your Flexera Analytics server to your web browser's list of trusted websites.