FlexNet Inventory Scanner: Implementation on Unix-Like Platforms

IT Asset Management (Cloud)

This process covers obtaining, configuring, and deploying the FlexNet inventory core components in the FlexNet Inventory Scanner configuration on UNIX-like platforms.

For UNIX-like platforms, there is no conveniently pre-packaged, downloadable form of the FlexNet inventory core components specifically branded as the FlexNet Inventory Scanner. However, the following process allows you to obtain equivalent functionality.
Tip: The required files are available only after the inventory beacon has downloaded its settings from the central application server.

To obtain the FlexNet Inventory Scanner for UNIX-like platforms:

  1. Log into a registered inventory beacon, and navigate to the default path %ProgramFiles%\Flexera Software\Inventory Beacon\RemoteExecution\Public\Inventory (defined in the Windows share mgsRET$) .
  2. From this folder, collect a copy of each of the following files:
    • ndtrack.sh – This script determines the operating system on which it is running, and installs and then executes the platform-specific version of ndtrack (known as "the tracker", the core code element for inventory gathering).
    • ndtrack.ini – This is the configuration file for the tracker (on UNIX-like platforms only). This file is optional, and only needed if you wish to configure the behavior or settings for the tracker. If used, it must be installed in the same folder as the tracker. For more information about customizing the configuration, see Configuring ndtrack.ini for UNIX-like Platforms .
    • InventorySettings.xmlFunctionality extensions are embedded in the file InventorySettings.xml, which may be updated from time to time in the ARL download process. Your current license terms are integrated with the same file on the central application server, and the result is automatically downloaded to your inventory beacons after each update. On the inventory beacon, the file is saved in %CommonAppData%\Flexera Software\Beacon\InventorySettings. A copy is also saved in the folder identified above for remote execution. The file is mandatory if you wish to collect Oracle inventory (or Microsoft Server inventory, but that is hardly relevant for UNIX-like platforms). If used, this file must also be installed in the same folder as ndtrack.sh. It may be omitted for a particular installation of the shell script where this installed instance does not collect Oracle inventory.
      Important: Do not edit this file!
      Tip: Take note of the revision number in the first line of the InventorySettings.xml file for future reference. Set a reminder for yourself in your preferred tool to check the revision number of InventorySettings.xml after future updates of the Application Recognition Library. If the revision changes, you should manually update all the copies you manually deployed. These changes allow the inventory tool to stay abreast of inventory changes necessary to support the latest Oracle or SQL Server licenses.

IT Asset Management (Cloud)

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