IBM Sterling Connect Direct is used to enable fast, reliable and secure file transfers between two systems.
You need to have a Passport Advantage Account to download and install the software (aka NDM Connect Direct).
There are two possible ways to install the software:
1. Interactive Mode – Watch this video for the detailed steps.
2. Silent Mode
In this article, let’s look at the steps to perform silent install for Connect Direct for Unix.
Step 1. Below installation and configuration files are required for a silent installation of Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX:
Download link provided with each, except the installer for which Passport Advantage Account is required.
i. cdinstall_a script
This script is a wrapper to cdinstall script which is also used during interactive mode install.
ii. cdinstall script
It is the core installation script for Connect Direct
iii. cpio file
This refers to the installer file (installation archive) which is exploded during install process. If you don’t have it, either use PA Account or get it from company if using Connect Direct.
iv. key certificate
File containing the Key and trusted certificates. This is self-signed cert and not suitable for enterprise use. Use CA signed cert for production.
v. netmap.cfg
This is needed to add the network mappings for other hosts to or from which file transfers happen. This file is optional.
vi. userfile.cfg
Configure custom users using this file during silent install. This is optional.
vii. Options file
It contains all the parameters required for installation e.g install path, Keystore Password etc. These options can also be passed through command line, however options file is always a preferred choice.
Installation process is straight forward and simple, but before execution, let’s understand the various aspects.
options.txt – This is the response file, where all required parameters are provided. Let’s look at the fields, which needs to be updated as per your environment.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| cdai_cpioFile | This is the Connect Direct Installer |
| cdai_installDir | Base Installation Directory |
| cdai_localNodeName | Hostname |
| cdai_serverPort | Listen Port for Server Connections |
| cdai_clientPort | API Port |
| cdai_localCertFile | Keycert file containing the Key and Certificate |
| cdai_adminUserid | User ID designated as admin in the host |
cdinstall
4.2.0.4-SterlingConnectDirectforUNIX-Linux-x86-iFix056.tar
cdinstall_a
spcust.txt
netmap.cfg
userfile.cfg
options.txt
Note: Update cdinstall_a, spcust.txt, netmap.cfg, userfile.cfg and options.txt as per your needs. Below are the most common changes:
Step 3. Trigger Silent Install:
./cdinstall_a -f ./options.txt
Step 4. Once finished, check below 2 files for any errors or non-zero exit code:
exitStatusFile.txt
cdaiLog.txt
Watch below video to see the live installation along with detailed explanation
Hi Animesh, thanks for Connect direct silent installation steps !! I have one Query that how did you get the wrapper script cdinstall_a ? As IBM software package provides only CPIO file and cdinstall script.
Hi Harpreet, thanks for going through the post. You can find the cdinstall_a script here : https://github.com/anijumech/animesh/blob/master/cdinstall_a
HI Animesh,
Your videos are really helpful. I have one question, how in real time processes were submitted in connect direct ?
Hi Amandeep, you can refer to the below video, which has a step to send files
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0HL2vsYY44&t=229s
However, to be precise, execute below steps in the direct prompt to send files. Change the SNODE, source and destination files, as per requirement.
submit CPYPRC PROCESS SNODE=ansible1.example.com
STEP1 copy
from
(
file=/tmp/sourcefile
pnode
)
to
(
file=/tmp/destfile
snode
)
pend;
Hope this helps. Thanks. 🙂
Hi, your videos are very understandable and very good.i want install connect direct in my windows machine.is there any differances in installtion compared to linux and windows.
HI Aparna,
Setup.exe /s /v”ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Symbols
Connect direct interactive installation for window is just like installing any other product using the .exe file. However, for silent installation, you need to use the file cd_srvr.ini as an input. Go through this IBM link to see the list of possible input parameters: https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SS4PJT_5.2.0/com.ibm.help.mass_deploy.doc/CDUW_CDForWindowsDeploymentoptions.html
Once, you have that file, use below command to perform installation:
CD_SRVR_INI_FILE=\”C:\MyFiles\cd_srvr.ini\” /qn /l*vx \”C:\cdinstall.log\””
Details for other actions can be found here : https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SS4PJT_5.2.0/com.ibm.help.mass_deploy.doc/CDUW_SetupExeOperation.html
How can i install Connect Direct on Ubuntu VM? I do have the .tar file but don’t know how to go further with it ? How do i get cdinstall
You can try the interactive mode installation. Recently there were some policy violation because of which I had to remove the cdinstall script, that was uploaded sometime back. Use this video link for the same : https://middlewareworld.org/2020/06/13/install-ibm-connect-direct-from-scratch/
Very useful and unique blog.Rare to find such info on CD.Can you share some information on configuring and using API for connect direct.There is hardly any information available online.
Thank You. By the way, you can get very good documentation on Rest APIs with Connect Direct here : https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/connect-direct/6.1.0?topic=v61-using-restful-apis-connectdirect