Installation Guide

for Informix Products

on Linux

Informix Dynamic Server, Linux Edition

INFORMIX-Client Software Developer’s Kit
INFORMIX-Connect

Version 7.3
December 1998
Part No. 000-5274
 Published by INFORMIX Press Informix Corporation
4100 Bohannon Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025-1032

1998 Informix Corporation. All rights reserved. The following are trademarks of Informix Corporation or its
affiliates:

Answers OnLineTM; CBT StoreTM; C-ISAM; Client SDKTM; ContentBaseTM; Cyber PlanetTM; DataBlade; Data
DirectorTM; Decision FrontierTM; Dynamic Scalable ArchitectureTM; Dynamic ServerTM; Dynamic ServerTM,
Developer EditionTM; Dynamic ServerTM with Advanced Decision Support OptionTM; Dynamic ServerTM with
Extended Parallel OptionTM; Dynamic ServerTM with MetaCube ROLAP Option; Dynamic ServerTM with
Universal Data OptionTM; Dynamic ServerTM with Web Integration OptionTM; Dynamic ServerTM, Workgroup
EditionTM; FastStartTM; 4GL for ToolBusTM; If you can imagine it, you can manage itSM; Illustra; INFORMIX;
Informix Data Warehouse Solutions... Turning Data Into Business AdvantageTM; INFORMIX-Enterprise
Gateway with DRDA; Informix Enterprise MerchantTM; INFORMIX-4GL; Informix-JWorksTM; InformixLink;
Informix Session ProxyTM; InfoShelfTM; InterforumTM; I-SPYTM; MediazationTM; MetaCube; NewEraTM;
ON-BarTM; OnLine Dynamic ServerTM; OnLine for NetWare; OnLine/Secure Dynamic ServerTM; OpenCase;
ORCATM; Regency Support; Solution Design LabsSM; Solution Design ProgramSM; SuperView; Universal
Database ComponentsTM; Universal Web ConnectTM; ViewPoint; VisionaryTM; Web Integration SuiteTM. The
Informix logo is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The DataBlade logo is
registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Documentation Team: Twila Booth, Abby Knott, Barbara Nomiyama, Eileen Wollam

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

Software and documentation acquired by or for the US Government are provided with rights as follows:
(1) if for civilian agency use, with rights as restricted by vendor’s standard license, as prescribed in FAR 12.212;
(2) if for Dept. of Defense use, with rights as restricted by vendor’s standard license, unless superseded by a
negotiated vendor license, as prescribed in DFARS 227.7202. Any whole or partial reproduction of software or
documentation marked with this legend must reproduce this legend.

ii Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Table of
Contents

Table of Contents

About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Types of Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Software Dependencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installation Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Preparing to Install Informix Products . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing Multiple Informix Products . . . . . . . . . . 3
Version Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Preparing the Linux Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Applying Operating-System Patches . . . . . . . . . . 5
Creating the informix User and Group. . . . . . . . . . 5
Creating the Installation Directory . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Preparing the Package-Manager Environment . . . . . . . . 8
Distinguishing Package Files from Packages. . . . . . . . 8
Querying the Package Information . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Extracting a Binary Package from a Package File . . . . . . 9
Uninstalling a Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Checking the On-Line Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Running the Installation Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Preparing to Use Your Informix Products for Linux . . . . . . 16
Setting the Terminal Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . 16
Localizing Informix Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Solving Installation Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Package-Manager Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Install-Script Failures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Access Problems After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Difficulties While Using Informix Products . . . . . . . . 22

Index
iv Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux
About This Manual
This manual contains instructions for how to install Informix Dynamic
Server, Linux Edition Suite on computers that run the Linux operating
system. Keep it with your Informix software documentation for easy
reference.

Types of Users
This manual is written for database administrators who install Informix
products. This manual assumes that you are familiar with the operating
procedures of your computer and with your operating system and that you
are authorized to log into your system as root.

Software Dependencies
This manual is written with the assumption that the Red Hat Package
Manager (RPM) is installed on your Linux computer. Informix provides most
of the products in Informix Dynamic Server, Linux Edition Suite in RPM-
package format.

Installation Packages
The information in this manual describes the basic installation procedures in
a Linux environment for the following Informix products:
■ Informix Dynamic Server, Linux Edition, Version 7.3
■ INFORMIX-Connect, Version 2.1.
■ INFORMIX-Client Software Developer’s Kit, Version 2.1

You receive or download each product as a separate binary package file.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 1

Preparing to Install Informix Products

The Client SDK package file contains the following client products:

■ INFORMIX-CLI
■ INFORMIX-ESQL/C
■ INFORMIX-GLS
■ INFORMIX-Object Interface for C++

If you want to install INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC, you must obtain this
product separately.

To obtain INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC

1. If you are not a member of Intraware, register at
[Link]
2. Follow links to Informix from the Intraware download site at
[Link]

For more information about the Client SDK products, refer to the Getting
Started manual.

Preparing to Install Informix Products

You can install Informix products only as licensed by Informix. You must not
transfer software from one computer to another or to another portion of your
network without reregistration and the written consent of Informix.

You need the serial number and key to install and activate your Informix
products. Use the information in Figure 1 to locate the serial number and key.
Figure 1
Obtaining the Serial Number and Key

Distribution Method Serial Number Location

CD-ROM Retrieve the serial-number keycard from the package of

Informix materials.

Download from the Record the serial number and key that display when you
Internet download the product.

2 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Installing Multiple Informix Products

The following table describes the general steps in installation and where to
find the information you need for each step.

Action Where to Look for More Information

If necessary, upgrade the Linux operating The Informix Linux Web page,
environment with a patch supplied by your [Link]/linux.
Linux distributor.

Create a user and a group, both named “Preparing the Linux

informix. Environment” on page 4
Create a top-level directory for the Informix
product files.
Set the environment variables that enable Linux
to locate your database software and data files.

Use the rpm package-manager utility to load “Preparing the Package-Manager

the pre-installation package. Environment” on page 8

Run the installation scripts. “Running the Installation

Scripts” on page 13

Installing Multiple Informix Products

You can install multiple Informix products on the same computer. You can
elect to install any one of the product packages listed or install them all in the
same session.

You do not have to install the products in a specific order. Beginning with
Version 7.3, you can install Dynamic Server first or the Client SDK first.

If you install more than one Informix product, complete all installation
procedures for one product before you start to install the next product. Do
not load the files from another Informix product onto your computer until
you complete the current installation.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 3

Version Compatibility

Version Compatibility
This section explains the compatibility between different versions of
Informix database servers and client products.

Informix client products that precede Version 2.1 are compatible with
Dynamic Server, Version 7.3.

Version 2.1 client products are compatible with the following database
servers:
■ Informix Dynamic Server, Version 7.x
■ Informix Dynamic Server with Advanced Decision Support and
Extended Parallel Options, Version 8.1x
■ Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option, Version 9.1x
■ Informix Dynamic Server, Developer Edition, Version 7.x
■ Informix Dynamic Server, Workgroup Edition, Version 7.x
■ INFORMIX-SE, Version 7.x

To use database servers earlier than Version 7.3 with Client SDK, Version 2.1,
replace the shared ESQL/C libraries at the appropriate time in the installation
process, as “Running the Installation Scripts” on page 13 describes.

Preparing the Linux Environment

You must log in as root to complete the processes in this installation.

To adjust the operating-system environment before you install Informix

products, you perform the following actions:
■ Apply operating-system patches, if necessary
■ Create a new user and group, both named informix
■ Create a directory
■ Set environment variables

4 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Applying Operating-System Patches

Applying Operating-System Patches

Install any patches that upgrade your operating system to run Informix
Dynamic Server, Version 7.3.

To find out if you need to apply patches, refer to the Informix Linux Web page
at [Link]/linux. The Linux Web page contains links to a variety
of current information about Informix products for Linux.

Creating the informix User and Group

The first time that you install an Informix product, you need to create a new
user, group, and directory.

If any Informix product is currently installed, skip this section and go directly
to “Preparing the Package-Manager Environment” on page 8.

To create the informix user and group

1. Confirm that you are logged in as root.

2. To create the group informix, use an operating-system tool or utility
that lets you create a new entry in the group file. The group file is
/etc/group on most Linux systems. Provide an unused group number
equal to or greater than 100. If necessary, see your system adminis-
trator or operating-system manual for assistance.
3. To create the user informix, use an operating-system tool or utility
that lets you create a new entry in the /etc/passwd file. Provide a user
ID number equal to or greater than 100 for that user and assign the
user to the group informix. Create a password for the user informix.
Important: When you use a network, propagate the new user name to other systems
on the network that must recognize user informix. For information about propa-
gating user names, refer to your operating-system documentation for network
administrators.

The user informix is the database equivalent of the Linux root account,
which means that anyone logged in as informix has complete access to any
Informix products and databases. Make sure that you keep the password for
the user informix confidential.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 5

Creating the Installation Directory

Informix products use the group informix internally to control database

access. Make sure that the user informix is the only member of the group
informix. If you make an actual user of an Informix product a member of the
group informix, you can cause unintended and uncontrolled database
access.

Creating the Installation Directory

Use the mkdir command to create the top of the directory hierarchy for your
Informix products. Observe the following guidelines:
■ Use the same directory to install both Dynamic Server and any local
client products.
■ Create the directory on a local device.
Do not create the directory on a device that is physically connected
to a remote computer.

The default Linux location for Informix products is /opt/informix. To use the
default, create an /opt/informix directory.

You can use a different location than the default path. For example, you can
preserve Version 7.2 in /opt/informix and create an /opt/informix73 directory
for Version 7.3.

Setting Environment Variables

At a minimum, you must set the INFORMIXDIR and PATH environment
variables. INFORMIXDIR specifies the installation directory for your
Informix products. PATH specifies the location of executable files.

6 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Setting Environment Variables

The following examples set INFORMIXDIR to the default installation

directory, /opt/informix.

Shell Commands

Bourne Again shell (bash) INFORMIXDIR=/opt/informix

export INFORMIXDIR
PATH=$PATH:$INFORMIXDIR/bin
export PATH

C shell (csh) setenv INFORMIXDIR /opt/informix

setenv PATH ${PATH}:${INFORMIXDIR}/bin

Important: You must set INFORMIXDIR and put $INFORMIXDIR/bin in the

PATH for each user and shell under which you install or use Informix products. As
user root, you must have these environment variables set to install the Informix
products in a Linux environment. User informix must have these environment
variables set to initialize and run the database server or to use any Client SDK
product.
Tip: Use the echo $PATH command to check if the $PATH variable provides access
to another file with the same name as an Informix executable file. If such a duplicate
filename exists in the path and you cannot rename, move, or delete it, order PATH to
find the Informix executable file before the other file.

For more information about the Informix environment variables, see the
Informix Guide to SQL: Reference.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 7

Preparing the Package-Manager Environment

Preparing the Package-Manager Environment

This section describes:

■ the difference between Informix package files for the RPM and other
types of RPM package files.
■ the distinction between a package file and a binary package.

A package file contains a software package, such as the database server, and a
preamble that describes the package. The binary package includes an
installation utility, sample configuration files, and executable libraries within
a compressed archive.
Important: The rpm package-manager utility does not install Informix software. The
package manager transfers pre-installation files to the appropriate location on your
hard drive. Each package includes its own installation utility. You can load all the
Informix packages with rpm at this time, before you run the installation utility for
any one of the products.

Distinguishing Package Files from Packages

The following table shows how to distinguish each product, package name,
and package file.

Product Package File Package Name

Dynamic Server [Link] ids-version-release

Client SDK [Link] csdk-version-release

Connect [Link] iconn-version-release

8 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Querying the Package Information

The name of a binary package file or package name contains the following
variable information:

■ The version of the Informix product

■ The release of this version as an RPM binary package

For example, the package file [Link] contains the

csdk-2.10.UC2-1 package.

Querying the Package Information

To find out more about the product, including the complete release and
update number, use the RPM query option. The following table shows some
examples. For more options, refer to your RPM documentation.

Command Purpose

rpm -qp * Queries the names of packages in the binary package files
that reside in the current directory

rpm -qpi *.rpm Queries detailed information about the binary package files
(with the filename extension .rpm) that reside in the current
directory

rpm -qa Queries the names of the installed packages that are
maintained in the RPM database

Extracting a Binary Package from a Package File

When you use the rpm -i command, Informix product packages perform the
following actions:
■ Check that root executes the command
■ Check that user informix and group informix exist
■ Create subdirectories of $INFORMIXDIR that correspond to the
directories in the package file and copy the appropriate product files
into each new directory
■ Record information from the package-file preamble and the instal-
lation date in the RPM database

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 9

 Uninstalling a Package

To extract an Informix package

1. Verify that you are logged in as root.

For example, use the Linux whoami command.
2. If necessary, mount the drive that contains the Informix package
files.
For example, if you purchase the Informix Dynamic Server, Linux
Edition Suite installation CD-ROM, use the Linux mount command to
mount the CD-ROM drive.
3. Change the current directory to the location of the Informix package
files.
4. Optionally, check the package information as “Querying the Package
Information” on page 9 describes.
5. Extract the contents of the Informix package file, as the following
examples show.

Command Line Meaning

rpm -iv ids* Loads the Dynamic Server package under /opt/informix

rpm -iv *.rpm Loads the Dynamic Server, Client SDK, and Connect
packages under /opt/informix

INFORMIXDIR=/opt/informix/LE Loads all the Informix packages under the directory that
export INFORMIXDIR INFORMIXDIR is set to, in this example /opt/informix/LE
rpm -iv --prefix $INFORMIXDIR *.rpm

Uninstalling a Package
When you use the rpm -e command, Informix product packages perform the
following actions:

■ Check that user root executes the command and stops if you use any
other login identity, including informix
■ Delete the package entry from the RPM database
■ Delete the files and subdirectories that the previous rpm -i command
created on the hard drive

10 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Checking the On-Line Files

You can uninstall an Informix package after you extract it, before or after you
run the installation scripts that “Running the Installation Scripts” on page 13
describes. However, the rpm -e command does not remove any files or
directories that are created by the installation scripts.

To unload an Informix product package

1. Verify that you are logged in as user root.

2. Use rpm -qi to determine the name, version, and release of the
package.
3. Use rpm -e to remove the product files and directories, as well as the
corresponding entry in the RPM database.
Do not use the longer name of the package file.

The example in Figure 2 queries the RPM database for Dynamic Server, and
then uninstalls the database server product.
Figure 2
$ rpm -qi ids Querying and
Version : 7.30.UC5 Removing a
Release : 1
Package
…

$ rpm -ev ids-7.30.UC5-1

Checking the On-Line Files

The Informix product files include on-line informational files that answer
specific technical questions. These files are installed in the $INFORMIXDIR/
release/en_us/0333 directory.

Three categories of on-line informational files exist:

■ Documentation notes
■ Release notes
■ Machine notes

The number at the end of each filename indicates the product version
number for that file (for example, SERVERS_7.3 or DBACCDOC_7.3).

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 11

Checking the On-Line Files

Important: Sometimes machine notes contain information for how to install

Informix products on a particular computer. Make sure you read the appropriate
Informix machine notes after you load, and before you run, the appropriate instal-
lation script for your product.

When you use any Informix manual, also refer to the documentation-notes,
release-notes, and machine-notes files that are referenced in that manual.
References to these files appear in the introduction of each manual.

The following table lists some of the on-line files for Dynamic Server and the
Client SDK.

On-Line File Purpose

INSTALLDOC_7.3 Documentation-notes files describe features that are not

covered in product manuals or that have been modified
since publication. The file listed contains the documentation
notes for this manual.

SERVERS_7.3 Release-notes files describe compatibility issues, feature

CLIENTS_2.1 differences from earlier versions of Informix products, and
how these differences might affect current products. Release
notes also contain information about any known problems
and their workarounds.

IDS_7.3 Machine-notes files describe any special actions that are

required to configure and use Informix products on your
computer. Machine notes are named for the product
described. For example, the file listed contains the machine
notes for the database server. The machine notes for this
product also describe the differences between Informix
Dynamic Server, Linux Edition and the features of the
database server that run under other operating systems.

Important: The release-notes and documentation-notes files contain important

information for application development. Therefore you need to make this infor-
mation available to both developers and users. Informix recommends that you print
copies of these files and attach a copy to each set of documentation. The machine-notes
files contain information primarily of interest to system and database administrators.

12 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Running the Installation Scripts

Running the Installation Scripts

To install and activate your Informix products, you need the serial number
and key that Figure 1 on page 2 describes. If you cannot locate the serial
number and key, contact your supplier or Informix sales representative.

Figure 3 shows the scripts that the separate packages provide.

Figure 3
Installation Commands for Informix Products

Product Installation Command

INFORMIX-Client Software Developer’s Kit ./installclientsdk

INFORMIX-Connect ./installconn

Informix Dynamic Server ./installserver

To run the installation scripts

1. Verify the following items:

■ You are logged in as root.
■ INFORMIXDIR is set to the installation directory.
The installation directory is either the default /opt/informix or
the path that you specified with the rpm -i --prefix option.
■ User informix and group informix both exist.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 13

Running the Installation Scripts

2. Enter one of the installation commands listed in Figure 3 on page 13.

If you execute the ./installconn script, you can use one of the options
in the following table.

Option Meaning

-o Install Connect and Informix Dynamic Server at the same time.

-s Install Connect as a standalone product.

-u Upgrade Version 7.x shared libraries to Version 2.1.

If you do not supply one of these options, the script asks you to
specify the database server with which you are installing Connect.
The -u argument pertains to client applications that run with
Informix database servers, Version 7.1x or Version 7.2x. When you
use the -u argument, the installation script overwrites Version 7.x
shared library files for ESQL/C. (As of Version 7.3, Dynamic Server
no longer includes shared ESQL/C library files.)
The -u argument enables Version 2.1 client applications to work with
INFORMIX-SE on Linux. If you use the -u argument, recompile and
relink Version 7.x client applications because Version 2.1 shared
libraries are not backward compatible with Version 7.x shared
ESQL/C libraries. For more information, refer to the machine notes
for Client SDK, Version 2.1.
3. Press RETURN to continue the installation procedure.
The following prompt appears:
Enter your serial number (for example, INF#X999999) >
4. Enter the 11-character License S/N from your serial-number
keycard.
The License S/N consists of three uppercase letters, followed by a
pound sign (#), followed by one uppercase letter and six digits.
After you press RETURN, the script prompts you to enter your Key.
5. Enter the six-letter Key from your serial-number keycard.
After you press RETURN, the script displays a message about the
license agreement with Informix. If your software is licensed for use
by an unlimited number of simultaneous users, the script displays a
message to that effect.

14 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Running the Installation Scripts

6. Press RETURN to continue the installation procedure.

At this point, the installation procedure begins. A series of messages
appear on the screen as each directory is installed. The messages look
similar to the following example:
Installing directory .
Installing directory bin
Installing directory lib
…

7. If no error messages appear during the installation procedure, the

installation is successful. If any error messages appear before the
Installation complete message, see “Solving Installation
Problems” on page 17.
Tip: The installation script changes the owner of $INFORMIXDIR to user informix
and grants the appropriate privileges. Installation also automatically adjusts the
ownership and privileges for subdirectories and files in $INFORMIXDIR that
informix must access or control.

The installation scripts do not include INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC.

To complete the INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC installation

1. Create the java directory and change to it.

cd $INFORMIXDIR
mkdir java
cd java
2. Enter the following command to create usable Java files:
tar xvf ../lib/java/[Link]
When the command-line prompt appears, all Java files are installed.
3. Set the environment variable for the object-interface library. The
following shell commands set LD_LIBRARY_PATH, but Linux users
can set the equivalent LD_RUN_PATH.

Shell Commands

Bourne LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:$INFORMIXDIR/java/lib/
Again shell export LD_LIBRARY_PATH
(bash)

C shell setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH

(csh) ${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:${INFORMIXDIR}/java/lib/

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 15

Preparing to Use Your Informix Products for Linux

For more information, use a Web browser and the following URL to access the
on-line documentation for INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC:
file:$INFORMIXDIR/lib/java/doc/[Link]

To enable the browser to locate the [Link] file, specify the absolute
pathname of the $INFORMIXDIR directory rather than the environment
variable $INFORMIXDIR. The following example, shows the default location:
file:/opt/informix/lib/java/doc/[Link]

Preparing to Use Your Informix Products for Linux

Your Informix product might require additional installation and
configuration tasks not covered in this guide. For information on what
additional environment variables to set, how to set up the sqlhosts and the
[Link] files, and other configuration tasks, see the Administrator’s
Guide.

Important: Before you can connect a client application to a database server, confirm
that you have configured your database server environment.

Setting the Terminal Characteristics

The TERM and TERMCAP environment variables control terminal handling
for the Informix products that you use on Linux. TERM specifies the name of
the terminal you use, and TERMCAP specifies where to look for the termcap
file. The TERM entry must correspond to an entry in the termcap file, and
TERMCAP must provide the correct path to the termcap file.

A distorted display indicates that these environment variables are not set
correctly for your terminal. To check for distortion, run a text editor program,
such as vi.

If you need to modify the termcap file, make the modifications in a copy of
the file and reference the modified file with the TERMCAP environment
variable.

Warning: Do not set INFORMIXTERM to a terminfo directory for screen handling.

Informix Dynamic Server, Linux Edition does not support terminfo. Allow the
default setting, which looks for a termcap file.

16 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Localizing Informix Products

GLS Localizing Informix Products

Global Language Support (GLS) lets Informix products use different locales.
A GLS locale is an environment that defines conventions for a particular
language, culture, or code set, including U.S. ASCII English.

Each installation script installs the following GLS locale and code-set
conversion files in the $INFORMIXDIR/gls directory on your hard disk:

■ Locale files for each supported GLS locale

■ Code-set-conversion files for each supported code-set conversion
■ Code-set files for each supported code set
■ The Informix registry file

For more information, see the Informix Guide to GLS Functionality. ♦

Solving Installation Problems

This section describes the more common installation problems and how to
solve them. If any of the outlined problems persist, contact the Informix
Technical Support Department. In North America, call toll-free
(800) 274-8184 or send a FAX to (913) 599-8590. Outside North America,
contact your distributor or the nearest Informix subsidiary.

Package-Manager Failures
The problems in this section can occur while you use the rpm utility to load
or unload an Informix package:
■ Problem. The command displays one of the following messages:
ERROR: You must be root to install product.
ERROR: You must be root to uninstall product.
Solution. Check that you are logged in as root.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 17

Package-Manager Failures

■ Problem. The command displays the following message:

ERROR: Failed to locate directory with write
permissions.
Solution. Check that you are logged in as root. Use the chmod
command to grant write permission on the current directory, and
then run the rpm command again.
■ Problem. The command displays one of the following messages:
ERROR: User informix must exist to install product.
ERROR: Group informix must exist to install product.
Solution. Follow the instructions in “Creating the informix User and
Group” on page 5 to create the necessary user or group.
■ Problem. The command displays the following message:
package product is already installed
ERROR: [Link] cannot be installed
Solution. If you want to reinstall the product, uninstall the previous
package, as described in “Extracting a Binary Package from a
Package File” on page 9.
■ Problem. The rpm -e command displays the following message:
package product is not installed
[Link] have probably misspelled the package name. Use the
rpm -i option to print the name, version, and release. Rerun the
rpm -e command with the correct specification for package. For an
example, refer to Figure 2 on page 11. For information about speci-
fying a package name, refer to “Distinguishing Package Files from
Packages” on page 8.
■ Problem. The command displays the following message:
rpm: arguments to --prefix must begin with a /
Solution. Specify the absolute path, as the following example shows:
rpm -i --prefix /opt/ids73 ids*

18 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Install-Script Failures

Install-Script Failures
The problems in this section can occur while you attempt to run the
installconn, installclientsdk, or installserver script:

■ Problem. The script displays the following message:

Please rerun this installation procedure as super-user
Solution. Check that you are logged in as root.
■ Problem. The script displays the following message:
INFORMIXDIR is not set.
Solution. This problem occurs because a default INFORMIXDIR
environment variable does not exist. For information on how to set
INFORMIXDIR, refer to “Setting Environment Variables” on page 6.
■ Problem. The script displays the following message:
INFORMIXDIR and working directory do not match.
INFORMIXDIR = pathname
Current working directory = pathname
Solution. To run the installation script, you must be in the
$INFORMIXDIR directory.
To check that the value of the INFORMIXDIR environment variable
matches the directory path where you loaded the package, use the
following command:
echo $INFORMIXDIR
If necessary, reset the INFORMIXDIR environment variable, as
“Setting Environment Variables” on page 6 describes.
If $INFORMIXDIR points to the correct path, change to the correct
directory with the following command:
cd $INFORMIXDIR
■ Problem. After you enter the six-letter key, the script displays the
following message:
WARNING: This is an invalid serial number.
Exiting install script.
Solution. This problem occurs because you did not enter the correct
key. Make sure that you enter the correct value.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 19

Install-Script Failures

■ Problem. After you enter the six-letter key, the script displays the
following message:
etc/brand: invalid serial number and/or key.
** Verify serial number and key values. **
** Restart installation procedure. **
** Please type carefully. **
Solution. This message usually results from a typing error in the serial
number or key. Check the serial number and key, then enter them
again. To locate the serial number and key, refer to Figure 1
on page 2.
If the serial number and key are correct, set the erase character. An
incorrect setting can cause the installation script to misinterpret a
keystroke in a valid serial number or key as a backspace. For
example, the installation script might interpret a pound sign (#) as an
erase or backspace.
To set the erase character, log in as root and then enter the following
command:
stty erase CTRL-h
CTRL-h looks like ^H on the screen.
After you execute the stty command, repeat the steps in “Running
the Installation Scripts” on page 13 and all subsequent steps. If this
problem occurs again, repeat the steps in “Extracting a Binary
Package from a Package File” on page 9 and all subsequent steps.
■ Problem. After you enter the six-letter key, the script displays the
following message:
Unknown message number 32766.
Solution. This problem occurs when you do not set INFORMIXDIR
before you run the installation script. Set INFORMIXDIR and repeat
the steps in “Running the Installation Scripts” on page 13 and all
subsequent steps.

20 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Access Problems After Installation

Access Problems After Installation

The problems in this section can occur when you try to start an Informix
client product:

■ Problem. When you try to start a client product, Linux displays a

system prompt or a message similar to the following example:
program: Command not found.
Solution. This problem occurs when Linux cannot find the executable
file. Check the following items (in order):
❑ To verify the settings of the INFORMIXDIR and PATH
environment variables, refer to “Setting Environment Variables”
on page 6.
❑ If INFORMIXDIR and PATH are correct, you might need to set the
TERM and TERMCAP environment variables, as “Setting the
Terminal Characteristics” on page 16 describes.
■ Problem. When you try to start a client product, Linux displays a
message similar to the following example:
Unknown message number 32766.
Solution. This problem usually occurs when INFORMIXDIR does not
point to the correct directory. Make sure that INFORMIXDIR is set to
the correct directory.
GLS This problem also can occur when you use the DBLANG or
CLIENT_LOCALE environment variables, if they are incorrect. Make
sure that DBLANG and CLIENT_LOCALE are correct. For more infor-
mation, see the Informix Guide to GLS Functionality. ♦
■ Problem. When you try to start a client product, Linux displays a
message similar to the following example:
Invalid serial number or mistyped key.
Please consult your installation instructions.
Solution. This problem occurs when the product is not installed.
Repeat the steps in “Running the Installation Scripts” on page 13 and
all subsequent steps.
This problem can also occur if the PATH environment variable
provides access to another file with the same name as the Informix
executable file before it provides access to the Informix executable
file. For a tip on how to fix the PATH environment variable, refer to
“Setting Environment Variables” on page 6.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 21

Difficulties While Using Informix Products

■ Problem. When you try to send a command to a client product, the

product displays a message similar to the following example:
cannot attach to shared memory
Solution. This problem occurs when you try to use a database server,
but the database server is in off-line mode or quiescent mode. Bring
the database server to on-line mode before you use it. For more infor-
mation, see the Administrator’s Guide.

Difficulties While Using Informix Products

The problems in this section can occur while you run Informix client
products. These problems are not directly related to installation, but they do
involve environment variables:

■ Problem. When you try to list all databases, the list is incomplete.
Solution. Make sure that the DBPATH environment variable contains
the names of all other database servers not referenced by the
INFORMIXSERVER environment variable.
■ Problem. When you start a client product, the screen display is
distorted.
Solution. This problem occurs when the TERM or TERMCAP
environment variables are set incorrectly. For information about how
to set these variables, refer to “Setting the Terminal Characteristics”
on page 16 and to the Informix Guide to SQL: Reference.
■ Problem. Unusual problems occur, such as networking problems or
unexplainable crashes.
Solution. This problem occurs when your operating system needs a
patch. For patch information, see the machine-notes file in
$INFORMIXDIR/release/en_US/0333.

22 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 Difficulties While Using Informix Products

■ Problem. After you successfully install your client products and

successfully invoke your database server, you cannot connect to the
database server.
Solution. This problem usually occurs when one of the following files
or environment variables has an incorrect value or a typographical
error:
❑ sqlhosts
❑ /etc/hosts
❑ /etc/services
❑ INFORMIXSERVER
❑ SQLEXEC
This problem can also occur when you use a network information
system if your computer cannot access the values in the services file.
Additionally, this problem can occur if your database server is not
configured correctly. For configuration information, see the Adminis-
trator’s Guide.

Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux 23

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z @

Index

Index

B E
Bourne Again shell, setting Environment variables
environment variables 7, 15 CLIENT_LOCALE 21
DBLANG 21
DBPATH 22
C INFORMIXDIR 7, 19, 20, 21
INFORMIXSERVER 22
Client SDK
LD_LIBRARY_PATH 15
installation scripts for 13
PATH 7, 15
products, list of 2
problem resolution 7, 16
using 16
TERM 16
CLIENT_LOCALE environment
TERMCAP 16, 21, 22
variable 21
Error messages. See
C shell, setting environment
Troubleshooting.
variables 7, 15

D F
Files
Database server
group 5
cannot connect to 23
[Link] 16
installation scripts for 13
passwd 5
using 16
registry 17
DBLANG environment variable 21
sqlhosts 16
DBPATH environment variable 22
termcap 16
Default installation directory 6
Dependencies, software 1
Documentation notes
filename for 12
G
location 11 Global Language Support. See GLS.
GLS
location of files for 17
problem resolution 21
group file 5
 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z @

I L R
Informix product files LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment Red Hat Package Manager. See
loading 10 variable 15 RPM.
uninstalling 11 License S/N. See Serial number. registry file 17
Informix products Linux operating system Release notes
list of 1 patches, obtaining 5 filename for 12
localizing 17 patches, problems if missing 22 location 11
problem resolution 21 preparing for Informix RPM
using 16 installation 4 database
INFORMIXDIR directory Loading distribution files 10 creating an entry 9
ownership 15 Locale 17 querying for installed
INFORMIXDIR environment packages 11
variable printing package information 9
problems caused by 19, 20, 21 M querying Informix binary
setting 7 packages 9
Machine notes
where needed 13 trouble shooting 17
filename for 12
INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC rpm command
location 11
downloading 2 -e option 10
Memory, shared 22
installing 15 examples 10
Message 32766 21
INFORMIXSERVER environment -i option 9
variable 22 Runtime problems 22
informix, user and group 5
Installation
O
after rpm exits 13 [Link] file 16 S
Client SDK 13 On-line files
Serial number
directory for 6 documentation notes 11
obtaining 2
Dynamic Server 13 machine notes 11
setting 14
environment variables for 6 release notes 11
troubleshooting 20, 21
INFORMIX-Connect 13
Shared memory 22
INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC 15
Software dependencies 1
loading files for 9 P Software serial-number key. See
login for 4
Package files Serial number.
of multiple Informix products 3
for Informix products 1 sqlhosts 16
running scripts 13
naming conventions 8 stty command 20
troubleshooting 19
Package names 8
installclientsdk script 13
Package-manager utility. See RPM.
installconn script 14
installserver script 13
passwd file 5 T
PATH environment variable
tar command 15
adjusting 7
TERM environment variable 16
INFORMIXDIR in 7
K INFORMIX-Driver for JDBC in 15
TERMCAP environment
variable 16, 21, 22
Key card. See Serial number. Products included in this
Terminal-display distortion 22
distribution 1

2 Installation Guide for Informix Products on Linux

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z @

Troubleshooting
arguments to --prefix must begin
with a / 18
cannot attach to shared
memory 22
command not found. 21
common problems 17
informix must exist to install
product 18
INFORMIXDIR, messages
about 19
install scripts 19
installclientsdk script 19
installconn script 19
installserver script 19
message number 32766 20
must be root to install
product 17, 19
post-installation 22
product usage 22
rpm binary package cannot be
installed 18
rpm error messages 17
runtime problems 22
serial number 19, 20, 21
starting products 21

U
Uninstalling 11
User informix, creating 5

V
Version compatibility 4

Symbols
/opt/informix directory 6

Index 3