4.4.2 Using smitty install_update

4.5 Software Products and Update Maintenance

During and after the installation, there are four major actions that can be taken with optional software products and service updates. Optional software and service updates can be applied, committed, rejected, and removed.

4.5.1 Apply Action

When a service update is installed, it enters the applied state and becomes the currently active version of the software. When an update is in the applied state, the previous version is stored in the /usr/lpp/PackageName directory so that if you want to return to the former version, you can do so without having to reinstall it. Use installp -s to get a list of all products and updates in the applied state.

4.5.2 Commit Action

When you commit software, the saved files from all previous versions of the software product are removed from the system, thereby, making it impossible to return to the previous version of the software product. Use installp -ac to commit the software at installation time. You can also commit installed software or software updates in the applied state by using SMIT. SMIT gives you a list of products in the applied state. You can optionally choose to select one software update or select all to commit all the software updates that are in the applied state.

In order to commit an applied software update, use the SMIT fast path:

1. smitty install_commit

   A screen similar to Figure 22 is shown.
   
   
   
   Figure 22: Commit Software Updates
   
   

2. Press Enter. The system reports the software that are about to be committed and then removes the copies from the /usr/lpp/PackageName directory. In order to achieve the same from the command line, use the command:

   installp -Cox all
   

4.5.3 Reject Action

When you reject an applied service update, the update's files are deleted, and the Software Vital Product Data database information is changed to indicate that the update is no longer on the system. The previous version of the system is restored and becomes the active version of the software. In order to reject a service update that you have installed, use the SMIT fast path:

1. smitty install_reject

   A screen similar to Figure 23 is shown.
   
   
   
   Figure 23: Rejecting Software Updates
   
   

2. Press F4 on the SOFTWARE name field to select the software update you want to reject. All the software updates that are in the applied state will be listed. Select the update that you want to reject, and press Enter.

This will remove the software update files from the system, restore the previous version files, and update the Software Vital Product Data database.

You can also achieve the same objective using the installp command. On the command line, enter:

installp -rBpX -f <File Name>

where <File Name> is the name of the file that contains a list of software updates that you want to reject. You will have to create this file manually using any editor of your choice.

4.5.4 Remove Action

You can also remove a software product completely. When a software product is removed, all product files are removed from the system, and the Software Vital Product Data database is changed to indicate that the product is removed. Once a product is removed, there will no longer be a version of that product running on the system. You can remove software by using the SMIT fast path:

1. smitty install_remove

   A screen similar to Figure 24 is shown:
   
   
   
   Figure 24: Removing Software
   
   

2. Press F4 in the SOFTWARE name field to get a list of all the software that is installed on your system. Select the software you want to remove by pressing F7 followed by Enter once you are done.

3. PREVIEW only? (remove operation will not occur) field is yes by default. This allows you to preview any remove operations and confirm your choices before you actually do the remove action.

4. Once you are sure that you want to remove this software, change PREVIEW only? (remove operation will not occur) field to No, and press Enter. This will remove all the software that you have selected to be removed.

You can also remove the software using the command line. On the command line, enter:

installp -ugp -V2 -f <File Name>

where <File Name> is a user-created file that will contain the names of the software that you want to remove.

4.6 Maintaining Optional Software (Applying Updates)