Installing with disconnected scanners: Ansible and Lite

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9.2.5 Available from 9.2.5.

Disconnected scans allow for discovering software and hardware inventory by running scripts that are provided in the disconnected scanner package. The scripts initiate software and capacity scans, and create a package with scan results that you later need to upload to the License Metric Tool server.

To share your feedback and ideas for enhancements for License Metric Tool Lite and License Metric Tool with Ansible, write an e-mail to talk2sam@us.ibm.com. You can also write to the same e-mail if you have questions or doubts regarding these deployment options.

License Metric Tool Lite

License Metric Tool Lite is a deployment option in which you manage disconnected scans by an automation technology of your choice.
Important: License Metric Tool Lite is pre-approved for subcapacity reporting in environments with up to 500 computers. To use this approach for subcapacity reporting in larger environments, you need to obtain the approval of IBM Compliance. To request for the approval, write an e-mail to talk2sam@us.ibm.com.

The limit applies to computers where the disconnected scanner is installed. If you have a mixed environment in which both disconnected computers and computers with the BigFix® client exist, the total number of computers can be higher.

License Metric Tool with Ansible

Ansible is an open source product that is used for automating applications and IT tasks. To manage scans by using Ansible, you run playbooks that are delivered with License Metric Tool to install the disconnected scanner, manage software and capacity scans, and upload their results to the License Metric Tool server.

To access License Metric Tool playbooks and related documentation, go to: https://github.com/IBM/ansible-automation-for-lmt.
Important: Using License Metric Tool with Ansible and playbooks that are delivered with License Metric Tool does not require any approval from IBM. However, Ansible is not delivered as part of License Metric Tool and is not subject to IBM support. Ansible is an open source product that is available free of charge with optional support that can be purchased from Red Hat. Ansible playbooks that are delivered with License Metric Tool are subject to IBM support.

Scan frequency

For information about default and minimal scan frequency as well as recommended frequency of importing scan results, see: Frequency of scans and uploads of data.

Limitations

  • Optimized mode of scanning remote shared file systems is not supported.
  • Information that is provided in the Operating System column might be slightly different for the computers that are scanned by the disconnected scan, and the computers that are scanned by a regular scan.
  • The host name of a scanned computer that is displayed in License Metric Tool is limited to 15 characters on Windows. The value is taken from the %COMPUTERNAME% environment variable that is limited to 15 characters even though it is possible to create a longer name. Scanning computers with longer host name works. However, it might be difficult to properly identify such computers.