Creating a response file with Installation Manager to install a package

You can create a response file by recording your actions as you install a product package by using Installation Manager. When you record a response file, all of the selections that you make in the Installation Manager GUI are stored in an XML file. When you run Installation Manager in silent mode, Installation Manager uses the XML response file to locate the repository that contains the package, select the features to install, and so on.

In this scenario, you already have Installation Manager installed on your computer.

To record a response file for installation (or uninstallation), complete the following steps:

  1. On a command line, change to the eclipse subdirectory in the directory where you installed Installation Manager. For example:
    • For Windows®: cd C:\Program Files\IBM\Installation Manager\eclipse
    • For other platforms: cd /opt/IBM/InstallationManager/eclipse
  2. On a command line, type the following command to start Installation Manager, substituting your own file name and location for the response file and (optionally) the log file:
    • IBMIM –record <response file and path name> -log <log file and path name>. For example, IBMIM.exe –record c:\mylog\responsefile.xml -log c:\mylog\record_log.xml
    • You can record a response file without installing or uninstalling a product by adding the optional -skipInstall < writable directory for agent data location>. Note that <writable directory for agent data location> must be a writable directory. The argument causes Installation Manager to save the installation data without installing the product. The <writable directory for agent data location> is a directory that Installation Manager uses to store information about installed products. You can use the same <writable directory for agent data location> in the next recording session to record updates or modifications to the product, or to record license management. Note that the products installed or preferences, including repository settings, that you might have set on install when not using the -skipInstall argument are not be stored. Using -skipInstall will make installation faster because the IM is not installing the product, it is just recording the installation data.

      The syntax for using the skipInstall argument is: IBMIM -record <response file and path name> -skipInstall <writable directory for agent data location>. For example IBMIM -record c:\mylog\responsefile.xml -skipInstall c:\temp\recordData

      Important: Ensure the file paths you enter exist; Installation Manager will not create directories for the response file and the log file.
  3. Follow the instructions in the Install wizard to make your installation choices.
  4. Click Finish, then close Installation Manager.
An XML response file is created and resides in the location specified in the command.

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