Choose an NNLS Installation Type

The first time you run the installation script on a new server, you must choose an installation type, either Express or Custom. Both options are explained in this section.

NOTE:  After successfully installing at least one product, should you run the install again, you are not prompted for a type. Rather, you are prompted to choose between uninstalling NNLS components or installing components that are not currently installed.

For more information, see Uninstalling NNLS Components and Running install.sh after Initial Installation.

About Express Installations

An Express installation requires only minimal input:

• The location of the eDirectory NICI Foundation Key file
• A network-unique name for the new tree
• A name and context for the Admin User object that will have the Supervisor right to the top of the tree
• A password for the Admin User object

An Express installation then does the following:

• Installs all NNLS product components on a single server
• Creates a new eDirectory tree and Admin user in the context specified
• Uses the Admin context as the eDirectory context for all other context parameters in the NNLS component configurations
• Assigns standard ports to all services (HTTP=80, LDAP=389, etc.)

Figure 1 illustrates an Express installation.

Figure 1
Express Installation Overview

About Custom Installations

A Custom installation lets you fully customize your NNLS installation and requires specific answers regarding such things as

• The components you want to install.
• The eDirectory server where you want the NNLS Server object created (new tree or existing tree).
• The eDirectory servers you want to use for managing each component.
• Admin names, contexts, and passwords.
• The network ports you want NNLS components to use.

NOTE:  Most NNLS product components have cross dependencies to other NNLS support components, such as eDirectory and the Apache server installed with NNLS.

The installation script ensures that the configuration you select includes all required cross dependencies.

Figure 2 illustrates a custom installation.

Figure 2
Custom Installation Overview

Using the Express Option to Start a Custom Installation

After you select an Express installation and answer the four required questions, you are shown a summary of the installation and asked if you want to make changes.

At this point you can change the configuration for any of the components. Some administrators find this a useful way to streamline the Custom installation process.

But because each NNLS installation is unique, guidelines for choosing between the Express and Custom options cannot be easily quantified. Generally, if your installation requires only minor changes from the Express defaults (same Admin/Context/Password for all services, standard ports, etc.), starting with the Express option and then modifying the few parameters that need to change would be a more efficient approach.