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Installing
An HCL Launch installation consists of the HCL Launch server, a database, and at least one agent.
Installing agents
You can install agents from the server or from the command line on the agent system. To configure a failover server for an agent, you must install the agent from the command line.
Discovering agents automatically
You can use HCL Launch to discover potential agent locations on UNIX™ and Windows™.

Installing
An HCL Launch installation consists of the HCL Launch server, a database, and at least one agent.
- System requirements and performance considerations
  The HCL Launch server runs on Windows™ and UNIX™ systems. Following some guidelines can improve the performance of the server and agents.
- Firewall and communication configuration
  This topic describes the communication between the HCL Launch components, the firewall, and the ports involved in the communication.
- Installing the server database
  HCL Launch requires a database. You can use the following database types for an evaluation or production server.
- Installing the server
  The server provides services such as the user interface used to configure application deployments, the workflow engine, the security service, and the artifact repository, among others. Installing the server involves specifying configuration information for the server, such as the ports that the server uses.
- Installing with Kubernetes
  The HCL Launch server can be installed in a cloud-based environment, as a containerized server cluster, managed by Kubernetes. HCL Launch works with Kubernetes to simplify application deployment and manage versions in the containers.
- Installing agents
  You can install agents from the server or from the command line on the agent system. To configure a failover server for an agent, you must install the agent from the command line.
  - Installing agents remotely
    You can install agents by using the HCL Launch web application.
  - Installing agents from the command line
    Installing an agent from the command line involves running a batch file or shell script and specifying information about how the agent connects to the server or agent relay.
  - Installing agents on Windows™ through WinRS
    You can install agents remotely on Windows™ systems through WinRS.
  - Installing agents in silent mode
    In silent mode, you specify the installation properties in a text file and then run the installation without command-line prompts.
  - Installing an agent in a Kubernetes cluster
    An agent is a light-weight software program that automates deployments. Agents facilitate rapid feedback and continuous delivery in agile development environments while providing the audit trails, versioning, and approvals needed in production.
  - Discovering agents automatically
    You can use HCL Launch to discover potential agent locations on UNIX™ and Windows™.
  - Running agents as services on IBM® AIX®
    You can set up agents to run as system services.
  - Running agents as services on Linux™
    You can set up agents to run as system services.
  - Agent installation properties
    The agent properties in the installed.properties file control details about the agent, including how it connects to the server.
- Installing agent relays
  An agent relay is a communication proxy for agents that are located behind a firewall or in another network location. You can install agent relays in interactive mode or in silent mode.
- Installing plug-ins
  Plug-ins can be installed at any time. You do not need to restart the server after you install a plug-in.
- Starting HCL Launch
  Both UNIX™ and Windows™ installations require the HCL Launch server and at least one agent. If you are using a database other than Derby, make sure that the appropriate driver is installed and configured.
- Installing and uninstalling test fixes (patches) from the server
  Test fixes are provided to correct specific issues. They are applied to the server as patches.

Discovering agents automatically

You can use HCL Launch to discover potential agent locations on UNIX™ and Windows™.

Before you begin

Ensure that the Nmap utility is installed on the system where HCL Launch server is installed, and that the Nmap utility is on the path environment variable.

About this task

This feature uses Nmap utility to search for locations where agents might be installed. The Nmap utility searches ports 22 and 135. A location with port 22 that is open is assumed to be computer that is running UNIX™. A location with port 135 that is open is assumed to be a computer that is running Windows™.

Note: Agent discovery does not work on IBM® z/OS®.

Procedure

Click Resources > Agents.
Click Discover Available Network Hosts.
Using the Discover Available Network Hosts window, enter the subnets to search in the Subnet field.
The format is xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/nn where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP address and nn is the network prefix. To search more than one subnet, enter each one on a separate line.
Click Save to start the search.
Search times depend on the size and number of subnets that are searched. If you search a large subnet, or many subnets simultaneously, the search time might be lengthy.
Discovered locations are listed on the Agents tab with the status of Installable.
A discovered agent is automatically given the same name as the discovered host. If the host name is unavailable, the discovered IP address is used instead.

What to do next

You can install a discovered agent by using the Install Agent action that is associated with the agent on the Agents pane. For information about installing discovered agents, see Installing agents remotely.