Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) for Linux & Windows – Step-by-Step
What is IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT)?
The IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) is a software asset management tool designed to help users manage their IBM environments and maintain an audit-ready posture. IBM ILMT is provided by IBM for free, however, customers are responsible for supplying the necessary hardware and installing it themselves (or with assistance from a third party).
We have compiled step-by-step instructions on how to install ILMT for both Linux and Windows, with all the resources necessary for a successful ILMT installation. Even still, ensuring that ILMT is set up correctly and in a way that will best serve your organization can be an extremely daunting task. Here at Anglepoint, we have a dedicated team of IBM ILMT experts who have helped many clients successfully optimize and install ILMT. If you have questions or would like more direction on how to properly install ILMT, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our IBM ILMT experts.
Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) on Linux
You can follow this checklist to deploy the entire License Metric Tool infrastructure on one computer by using the All-in-One installer.
| Stage | Installation Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plan the ILMT installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements: – Runs on a supported operating system – Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements – Has sufficient disk space – Has the required software installed |
| 2 | Install the components – Download the streamlined installer – Optional: Create the license authorization file if the computer on which you are planning to install License Metric Tool does not have the Internet access – Run the All-in-One installer in interactive or silent mode – Install the BigFix console – Install the BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data |
| 3 | Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data. – Set up users – Set up computer groups |
Option B: Installing the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) server and DB2
Use the following checklist if you already have the IBM BigFix software platform installed and you want to install the IBM License Metric Tool server and DB2 by using the All-in-One installer.
| Stage | Installation Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plan the installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements: – Runs on a supported operating system – Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements – Has sufficient disk space – Has the required software installed |
| 2 | Install the components – Download the streamlined installer – Enable the fixlet site – Run the All-in-One installer in interactive or silent mode |
| 3 | Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data. – Set up users – Set up computer groups |
Installing IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) on Windows
| Stage | Installation Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plan the installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install IBM License Metric Tool fulfills the following requirements: – Runs on a supported operating system – Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements – Has sufficient disk space – Has the required software installed |
| 2 | Install the IBM BigFix platform – Create the license authorization file – Download the IBM BigFix installer – Install the IBM BigFix server, console and the first client – Install the IBM BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data Tip You can install the clients at this point or proceed with the installation of IBM License Metric Tool and install the clients later. |
| 3 | Install IBM License Metric Tool – Install MS SQL Server – Enable the License Metric Tool fixlet site – Install the License Metric Tool server – Perform initial configuration – Verify the current application and catalog version |
| 4 | Create users and groups to give users access to IBM License Metric Tool and to define computers for which they can see data. – Set up users – Set up computer groups |
| 5 | Set up scans to discover software and hardware inventory in your infrastructure. Important: These steps are not required if you enabled the default scan configuration during the installation. – Optional: Distribute scans for improved performance – Activate the required analyses – Install the scanner – Initiate software scans – Schedule uploads of software scan results – Collect capacity data |
IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the IBM ILMT Agent?
The IBM ILMT Agent is one of three ILMT components (the other two being the IBM BigFix Platform and relevant ILMT application). The Agent identifies IBM software deployed and assigned to each virtualization and device through regular scans. If the IBM ILMT Agent is not deployed, then the license fee will be calculated for full capacity.
How is IBM PVU Calculated?
The formula for calculating IBM PVUs is:
Full Capacity = PVU-per-core * the number of sockets on the physical host * the number of cores-per-socket on the physical host
Sub-Capacity = PVU-per-core * the number of cores assigned to the virtual machine (VM)
What is IBM sub-capacity licensing?
Sub-capacity licensing allows organizations to license eligible software products for less than the full capacity of the server or group of servers. To qualify for sub-capacity licensing, customers must install IBM ILMT within 90 days of the first use of an eligible sub-capacity product and produce and retain quarterly reports for at least two years and make them available at IBM’s request.
To learn more about sub-capacity licensing and IBM ILMT, read our article, How to Succeed with IBM Sub-Capacity Licensing.