catapult logocatapultInstallation Instructions

These instructions are for new installs only. If you are upgrading from another version, please refer to the Catapult Upgrader's Guide. For additional configuration details, please refer to the Catapult User GuideOpens new window.

Step 1. Download the Install Files.

If you haven't yet downloaded the Catapult install files to your PC, do that nowOpens new window. Then return to this page. If you have already downloaded the Catapult iSeries and PC install files, you can continue with Step 2.

Save both the files to a new folder on your PC:

The actual file names may change slightly as different releases of the software are made available.

 
Troubleshooting   

If you have a question about the install, give us a call. You can reach our Technical Support team at (250) 655-1766 [7:30-17:00 PST] or the Sales team at (630) 986-0800 [8:00-17:30 CST]. You can also email us.

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.

Step 2. End the EXODUS subsystem (if it is running).

Catapult uses the communications middleware component called EXODUS to transfer data between the iSeries and PCs. EXODUS is also used by BCD's Spool-Explorer/400 and WebSmart.

To verify whether you are ready to install Catapult begin by signing on to an iSeries session as QSECOFR and run the WRKACTJOB command. Check whether there is an active subsystem called EXODUS:

If the subsystem is not active, you can proceed directly to Step 3.

If the EXODUS subsystem is active, then someone at your site may be working with an application that uses EXODUS for communications. To see a list of these jobs, run the command WRKOBJLCK XL_EXODUS *LIB. You can then contact the users associated with these jobs to request that they end their connections, or if you know what the jobs are, you can end them yourself.

After ending all EXODUS jobs, run the following command to end the EXODUS subsystem: ENDSBS SBS(EXODUS) OPTION(*IMMED). Then continue with the next step.

  
Troubleshooting   

If you aren't able to sign in as QSECOFR, you need to contact your system administrator and request that they either perform this install for you, or assist you in performing the install.

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.
Step 3. Transfer the Server Component to your iSeries.

Double-click the iSeries install (catapultxxx-iseries.exe) to transfer the libraries to your iSeries.

After the file is decompressed, BCD's FTP upload utility is presented. Type your iSeries IP address and the QSECOFR password, then click the Upload button:

When the Activity Log reports that the file upload is complete, you can close this window and continue with the next step.

 
Troubleshooting   

If the transfer is interrupted, you can restart it by executing webinst.exe. You can find this program in the same directory to which you downloaded the install files.

If the transfer fails, check the Activity Log window for errors. BCD's Knowledge BaseOpens new window includes a number of useful troubleshooting options. You can also run the command WRKSPLF QTCP and check the last joblog there.

Step 4. Install the iSeries Components and start the EXODUS subsystem.

After closing the upload utility, log on to an iSeries session as QSECOFR. Run the command BCDINSTALL/BCDINSTALL. At the panel presented, select the product Catapult and press Enter. Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted, enter your Catapult License Key:

Your license key is verified after you install the PC component.

If you don't have a Catapult License Key, contact BCD at (630) 986-0800 to request one. You can also press F3 to Exit (and complete) the installation process, and add the license key afterwards, using the command XL_CATAPLT/UNLOCK.

When the iSeries install concludes, confirm that the EXODUS subsystem has been successfully started. To do this, run the command WRKACTJOB and verify that the EXODUS subsystem is active and contains a job called EXSERVER:

Once you confirm that the subsystem is running, you can continue with the next step.

If the EXODUS subsystem was running before you started the install and you ended it yourself, you’ll also need to also restart it manually when the install completes. To do this, run the command STRSBS XL_EXODUS/EXODUS.

  
Troubleshooting   

During the iSeries install you are prompted for the library to install to. Under normal circumstances you should accept the default. If you want to create a second Catapult environment, please refer to the Catapult User GuideOpens new window for instructions.

After you select the library to install to, BCDINSTALL attempts to restore the product library. It's very rare to have a problem with this step, but any that do come up are usually due to changes to the RSTLIB command defaults.

If you mis-enter your license key, you can enter it later using the command XL_CATAPLT/UNLOCK.

If you IPL your iSeries nightly or on the weekends, you need to also restart TCP/IP services and the EXODUS subsystem. While you probably already have processes in place to restart TCP/IP, you can add the command STRSBS XL_EXODUS/EXODUS as part of that process (or just run it manually while you are still evaluating the software).

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.

Step 5. Install the Catapult Poller and Console on your PC.

Double-click the PC install file and follow the on-screen instructions. If you are installing Catapult for the first time, we recommend that you select the Complete install option:

The Catapult Poller is typically installed on a single PC, while you may install the Console for everyone who will be working with distribution rules.

After the installation finishes, go to the next step.

If you already had one or both Catapult components installed on your PC, the install automatically updates those components. To change the installed components, go to the Add or Remove Software option at your Control Panel.

  
Troubleshooting   

If you have not yet downloaded the PC install file, do that nowOpens new window.

If you have any trouble installing the PC components, contact your system administrator, or call BCD Technical Support at (250) 655-3046.

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.

Step 6. Configure Communications for your PC.

After installing Catapult you need to configure communications between the PC and iSeries components. To do this, start by launching the Catapult Console, at Programs/Catapult 6/Catapult Console/Catapult Console (NOT the configuration program).

The Console checks whether you have a valid connection, and if not, you are prompted to add one:

When you click OK, Catapult presents this configuration window:

At the Communications category, click the Add Button to create a new System Description. The window below is presented:

Type your iSeries IP address and system name and click OK to create the entry. Then you can close the Configuration window and continue logging in to the Catapult Console. If you successfully log in, it means your license key is valid.

  
Troubleshooting   

Your iSeries IP address and connection port number should correspond to the values you entered during the iSeries install when you were prompted to configure Exodus for TCP/IP. If you aren’t sure what to enter for these values, sign on to an iSeries session and run the command XL_EXODUS/ZDSPCFG to check the settings.

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.

Step 7. Configure the Catapult Poller.

The Catapult Poller is the PC-based application you use to control the distribution of your downloaded iSeries spool files. You need to configure and start the Poller before Catapult can distribute any spool files. Below are instructions for configuring the basic options, but you can refer to the Catapult User GuideOpens new window for more detailed instructions on all the options available.

To launch the Poller configuration go to Programs/Catapult 6/Catapult Poller/Poller Configuration. When prompted, log in to your iSeries. Then verify or set the options shown below.

1. At the Polling category, verify that the system you added in Step 6 is set to be polled:

2. At the Email Server category, type your email servers port and IP address:

Depending your server settings, you may also need to enter a User ID and password.

3. At the Email Details category, enter your email address to use as the default 'From' address for distributed files:

Note that most email servers will not accept mail from an invalid address within your domain.

4. Finally, at the Administrator Email category set the Poller to notify on any error, and enter your name and email address:

You should keep this setting until you have overcome any initial distribution difficulties.

The Catapult Poller has many other configuration options, but these should get you up and running. Once you have used Catapult to successfully send yourself at least one iSeries spool file, you can come back to the Poller Configuration screens and use the Help Text or Catapult User GuideOpens new window to assist you in fine-tuning the Poller's performance.

  
Troubleshooting   

If you aren't certain what values to use for any of the options in this step, call Technical Support at (250) 655-1766. Your local network admin may also be able to provide some guidance.

You can also often find the required mail server settings in the options for your email client (i.e. Outlook, etc.).

Many SMTP servers require that a valid User ID and password be provided by any application attempting to send an email. In many cases, this type of validation is only in effect for external email. If your email server is rejecting the emails you are sending with Catapult, or not sending any messages outside your network, you should check whether this option is required. If so, enter the appropriate values.

You can also search our Knowledge BaseOpens new window on this topic.

Step 8. What Next?

After you configure the Catapult Poller, you can attempt to run it on your PC to confirm that your initial configuration has worked. To start the Poller, go to Programs/Catapult 6/Catapult Poller/Catapult Poller. It will prompt you log in, and then drop down into your tray.

Once you have both the Poller and Console running on your PC, you're ready to start learning how to use Catapult.

Continue with Step 2 of the 5 Steps to Success with Catapult.

If at any point in this process you would like to have an informal chat with someone to get some suggestions on how to address your particular needs, then by all means get in touch with our Sales or Technical Support teams.

We will look forward to hearing from you soon.