Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) for Linux & Windows – Step-by-Step

What is IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT)?

The IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) is a software asset management tool designed to help users manage their IBM environments and maintain an audit-ready posture. IBM ILMT is provided by IBM for free, however, customers are responsible for supplying the necessary hardware and installing it themselves (or with assistance from a third party).

We have compiled step-by-step instructions on how to install ILMT for both Linux and Windows, with all the resources necessary for a successful ILMT installation. Even still, ensuring that ILMT is set up correctly and in a way that will best serve your organization can be an extremely daunting task. Here at Anglepoint, we have a dedicated team of IBM ILMT experts who have helped many clients successfully optimize and install ILMT. If you have questions or would like more direction on how to properly install ILMT, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our IBM ILMT experts.

Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) on Linux

You can follow this checklist to deploy the entire License Metric Tool infrastructure on one computer by using the All-in-One installer.

1. Plan the ILMT installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements:
   1. Runs on a supported operating system
   2. Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements
   3. Has sufficient disk space
   4. Has the required software installed
2. Install the components
   1. Download the streamlined installer
   2. Optional: Create the license authorization file if the computer on which you are planning to install License Metric Tool does not have the Internet access
   3. Run the All-in-One installer in interactive or silent mode
   4. Install the BigFix console
   5. Install the BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data
3. Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data.
   1. Set up users
   2. Set up computer groups

Option B: Installing the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) server and DB2

Use the following checklist if you already have the IBM BigFix software platform installed and you want to install the IBM License Metric Tool server and DB2 by using the All-in-One installer.

1. Plan the installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements:
   1. Runs on a supported operating system
   2. Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements
   3. Has sufficient disk space
   4. Has the required software installed
2. Install the components
   1. Download the streamlined installer
   2. Enable the fixlet site
   3. Run the All-in-One installer in interactive or silent mode
3. Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data.
   1. Set up users
   2. Set up computer groups

Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) on Windows

1. Plan the installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install IBM License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements:
   1. Runs on a supported operating system
   2. Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements
   3. Has sufficient disk space
   4. Has the required software installed
2. Install the IBM BigFix platform
   1. Create the license authorization file
   2. Download the IBM BigFix installer
   3. Install the IBM BigFix server, console and the first client
   4. Install the IBM BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data
   5. Tip: You can install the clients at this point or proceed with the installation of IBM License Metric Tool and install the clients later.
3. Install IBM License Metric Tool
   1. Install MS SQL Server
   2. Enable the License Metric Tool fixlet site
   3. Install the License Metric Tool server
   4. Perform initial configuration
   5. Verify the current application and catalog version
4. Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data.
   1. Set up users
   2. Set up computer groups
5. Set up scans to discover software and hardware inventory in your infrastructure.

   Important: These steps are not required if you enabled the default scan configuration during the installation.

   1. Optional: Distribute scans for improved performance
   2. Activate the required analyses
   3. Install the scanner
   4. Initiate software scans
   5. Schedule uploads of software scan results
   6. Collect capacity data

To learn more about sub-capacity licensing and IBM ILMT, read our article, How to Succeed with IBM Sub-Capacity Licensing.