Installing

Edit online

The License Metric Tool server is the core part of the infrastructure. When the server is installed on Linux, it requires a DB2 database. DB2 is delivered as part of License Metric Tool free of charge. However, according to the license agreement, it can be used only by License Metric Tool. When the server is installed on Windows, it requires MS SQL Server or, if your environment consists of less than 500 endpoints, MS SQL Server Express. None of the databases is delivered with License Metric Tool, so you need your own instance.

Additionally, the scanner must be installed on every monitored computer. Depending on the mechanism of transferring data from the scanned computers to the License Metric Tool server, three types of installation are distinguished: License Metric Tool Lite, License Metric Tool with Ansible, or License Metric Tool with BigFix®. Choose the installation type that best suits your needs and the specifics of your environment.

License Metric Tool with disconnected scanners

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. There are two approaches to using disconnected scanners:
  • License Metric Tool Lite
  • License Metric Tool with Ansible

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 need to install the disconnected scanner on the computers in your infrastructure. You can use a technology of your choice to deploy them and then transfer scan results to the License Metric Tool server. Typically, you would use an automation technology that is already implemented in your company.

In this approach, it is your responsibility to ensure that scan results are uploaded to the License Metric Tool server daily. This aspect is not subject to IBM support.

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.

If the size of your environment increases with time, you can scale up by adding endpoints that are managed by BigFix or Ansible as the License Metric Tool server is the same for all approaches and can work with multiple data sources.

For infrastructure overview, see: License Metric Tool Lite infrastructure. For deployment checklist, see: License Metric Tool Lite - end to end checklist.

License Metric Tool with Ansible

License Metric Tool with Ansible is a deployment option in which you use Ansible playbooks that are delivered with License Metric Tool to install the disconnected scanner and perform the required tasks on the monitored endpoints as well as transfer scan results to the License Metric Tool server. Scans are scheduled by using the system scheduler.

License Metric Tool support does not cover the Ansible platform. Thus, you require either Ansible skills or Ansible version that includes support from Red Hat. Disconnected scanners and the License Metric Tool server are subject to IBM support.

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.
For infrastructure overview, see: License Metric Tool infrastructure with Ansible. For deployment checklist, see: License Metric Tool with Ansible - end to end checklist.
Note: To access License Metric Tool playbooks and related documentation, go to: https://github.com/IBM/ansible-automation-for-lmt.

License Metric Tool with HCL BigFix

BigFix is an agent-based platform that requires the installation of the client on each monitored computer. License Metric Tool is fully integrated with BigFix and thus BigFix itself is subject to IBM support.

To install License Metric Tool with BigFix on Linux, you can use the All-in-One installer. It is the quickest method that deploys all components of License Metric Tool on a single computer: the server, DB2 database, and the BigFix platform. You can also install every component separately. DB2 that is delivered with License Metric Tool can be used free of charge for BigFix as well on condition that BigFix is not shared with other applications.

To install License Metric Tool on Windows, you need to install the components by using separate installers. You also need to have your own instance of MS SQL Server or, if your environment consists of less than 500 endpoints, MS SQL Server Express. None of the databases is delivered as part of License Metric Tool. DB2 is not supported with License Metric Tool that is installed on Windows.

For infrastructure overview, see: License Metric Tool infrastructure with BigFix. For deployment checklist, see: License Metric Tool with BigFix - end to end checklist.