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Deleting files from Installation Manager "IMShared" directory to save filesystem space

Question & Answer


Question

The Installation Manager shared resources directory (IMShared) is identified during the installation of the first product package and must not be changed or deleted. It has grown very large and consumes a large amount of the filesystem space. Is it okay to delete some of the files in the IMShared directory?

Cause

The IMShared resources directory is where installation artifacts are located that can be used by one or more package groups. By default, IBM Installation Manager (IM) saves earlier versions of a package in the IM shared resources directory to roll back to if you experience issues with later versions of updates, fixes, or packages. When Installation Manager rolls back a package to a previous version, the current version of the files is uninstalled and the earlier version is reinstalled. These backup files can consume a lot of filesystem space.

Answer

The contents of the shared resources directory should not be deleted directly from the filesystem. If you choose not to save backup files for rollback, those files can be removed from the file system by using an IM function that removes files that at not needed. If this is done, then to roll back to earlier versions of a package, the installation package at the prior level must be available in the repository. In addition, to prevent further growth of the IMShared directory due to backup files, select the option not to save files for rollback.
To remove the backup files and not have then retained from future updates, follow the steps below:

Using GUI Mode

    • In Installation Manager, go to the File > Preferences option, then choose the "Files for Rollback" category.
    • Uncheck the "Save files for rollback" box to stop saving backup files in IMShared.
    • Click the "Delete Saved Files" button to remove the content which isn't needed from the IMShared directory. The size of the saved files is the recovered file space.

Using Console Mode
    • Start IBM Installation Manager in console mode: imcl -c.
    • Enter P: Preferences.
    • Enter 3: Files for Rollback.
    • Enter 1: Save files for rollback. The option is selected when [X] shows. Delete the X to unselect the option.
    • D: Delete Saved Files shows when files are saved.
        • NOTE : If the value for Size of saved files is 0.0 MB, you do not see the delete option.
    • Enter A: Apply Changes and Return to Preferences Menu.
    • Enter R: Return to Main Menu.


      • NOTE: Console mode is not supported for install/update/uninstall of WebSphere Application Server offerings as the repositories don't support imcl -c mode.
When using silent mode there is preference that you can use to prevent the caching of this data. During any installation or maintenance operation, you can use this preference:
    –preferences com.ibm.cic.common.core.preferences.preserveDownloadedArtifacts=false

If this option is selected when doing future rollback the repository for fixpack to which rollback is being done should be added to IM.

[{"Product":{"code":"SSEQTP","label":"WebSphere Application Server"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Install","Platform":[{"code":"PF002","label":"AIX"},{"code":"PF010","label":"HP-UX"},{"code":"PF016","label":"Linux"},{"code":"PF027","label":"Solaris"},{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"9.0;8.5.5;8.5;8.0","Edition":"Base;Developer;Enterprise;Express;Network Deployment;Single Server","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
15 June 2018

UID

swg21665327

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