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Installing
Learn about the requirements and available installation scenarios to ensure that the deployment of BigFix Inventory goes smoothly in your environment.
Installing on Windows
A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Windows requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and an MS SQL database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. You can install all components from scratch or add the BigFix Inventory server to the existing BigFix infrastructure. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
Installing the BigFix platform
The BigFix platform is the core of the BigFix Inventory infrastructure. It consists of a server that coordinates the flow of data to and from the monitored computers, an administrative console, and clients that collect data from the computers in your infrastructure. Before you can install BigFix Inventory, install all components of the BigFix platform.
Step 1: Creating the license authorization file
After you order BigFix Inventory from Passport Advantage, you receive a welcome email with information how to access the BigFix License Key Center. Go to the Key Center and create the license authorization file that contains deployment and licensing information. The file is needed during the installation of the BigFix platform.

Installing
Learn about the requirements and available installation scenarios to ensure that the deployment of BigFix Inventory goes smoothly in your environment.
- Planning the installation
  Before you start the installation, review information about hardware and software requirements and other considerations to ensure that the installation completes successfully.
- Installing on Windows
  A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Windows requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and an MS SQL database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. You can install all components from scratch or add the BigFix Inventory server to the existing BigFix infrastructure. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
  - Step-by-step installation guide
    Use the step-by-step installation guide to ensure that you complete all steps necessary to successfully install BigFix Inventory on Windows.
  - Installing the BigFix platform
    The BigFix platform is the core of the BigFix Inventory infrastructure. It consists of a server that coordinates the flow of data to and from the monitored computers, an administrative console, and clients that collect data from the computers in your infrastructure. Before you can install BigFix Inventory, install all components of the BigFix platform.
    - Step 1: Creating the license authorization file
      After you order BigFix Inventory from Passport Advantage, you receive a welcome email with information how to access the BigFix License Key Center. Go to the Key Center and create the license authorization file that contains deployment and licensing information. The file is needed during the installation of the BigFix platform.
    - Step 2: Downloading the BigFix installer
      To obtain the BigFix installer for Windows, go to the BigFix download center and download the Installation Generator.
    - Step 3: Installing BigFix
      To install the BigFix platform on Windows, run the installation wizard that will guide you through the installation of the BigFix server, console, and the first BigFix client.
    - Installing the BigFix clients
      Install the BigFix client on every computer in your network that you want to monitor, including the backup and recovery machines.
  - Installing BigFix Inventory
    Before you start the installation of BigFix Inventory on Windows, ensure that an MS SQL Server is installed in your infrastructure. Then, enable a dedicated fixlet site in the BigFix console and download the BigFix Inventory installer. Next, run the installation in interactive or silent mode.
  - Uninstalling
    To remove BigFix Inventory from your infrastructure, stop the application-specific actions and analyses that are running on the computers and uninstall the scanner. Then, remove the VM Manager Tool. Finally, uninstall the BigFix Inventory server. You can also remove the related database.
- Installing on Linux
  A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Linux requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and DB2 database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
- Installation-related tasks
  If you encounter problems during the installation, you can check details related to the problem, fix it, and then resume the installation. If the BigFix and BigFix Inventory servers are in separated networks, you can disable the automatic address lookup to avoid problems with initial configuration. Learn how to check the current application and catalog version to make sure that your installation and initial configuration were successful.

Creating the license authorization file

After you order BigFix Inventory from Passport Advantage, you receive a welcome email with information how to access the BigFix License Key Center. Go to the Key Center and create the license authorization file that contains deployment and licensing information. The file is needed during the installation of the BigFix platform.

Procedure

Go to the License Key Center.
Enter your email address and the password that you received in the welcome email.
For each product that you purchased, specify the allocated client quantity. If you leave 0, you cannot install the particular product.
To generate the license authorization file, click Create Serial Number.
To download the file, click Download.

Results

The LicenseAuthorization.BESLicenseAuthorization file is downloaded to your computer. The file is needed during the installation of the BigFix platform.

What to do next

Download the BigFix installer.