catapult logocatapult7.7 Installation Instructions

These instructions are for new installs of Catapult 7.7 only. If you are upgrading from version 6.x, use these instructions, and these instructions to upgrade from 7.x to 7.70+. For additional configuration details, refer to the Installation and Reference sections of the User's Guide which is available on myBCDsoftware.comOpens new window.

Step 1. Download Catapult and Transfer the IBM i Install Files.

1. If you haven't yet downloaded the Catapult install files to your PC, do that nowOpens new window. Then return to this page.

2. When the downloads finish double-click the IBM i install executable file catapult7xx-iseries.exe [the version may vary]. This will unpack the files and begin transferring them to your IBM i.

3. When the window below appears, enter your IBM i IP address or domain and user profile/password:

4. Click the Upload button. When the upload finishes the activity log displays the message ‘File upload complete’. You can then close the BCD Upload Express window shown above.

 
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.

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.

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

Step 2. Install the Catapult IBM i Components.

1. After closing the upload utility, log on to an IBM i session and execute the command XL_CATINST/BCDINSTALL.

The IBM i install will prompt you for a library to install to:

3. For your first install accept the default option of XL_CATAPLT.

As the last step in the install you can enter the license key provided to you by BCD. If you have not yet received your license key, phone BCD at (630) 986-0800 or email sales@bcdsoftware.com.

You can also enter your license key after finishing the install by adding XL_CATAPLT to our library list and running the UNLOCK command.

  
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 7 User's Guide Opens new window for instructions.

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

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

Step 3. Start the EXODUS51 Subsystem.

Catapult uses a subsystem named EXODUS51 to manage transferring data between the PC and IBM i components.

1. When the server side installation finishes run the WRKACTJOB command to check if the EXODUS51 subsystem is running. If this is a new install, it should be started automatically.

2. If this is a second install, or you already have another BCD tool installed on your system that uses EXODUS51, the install will not start the subsystem automatically. You can start the subsystem at this point using this command:

STRSBS XL_EX51/EXODUS51

3. Once the subsystem has started continue to the next step.

 
Troubleshooting   

Starting the EXODUS51 Subsystem After an IPL
If you IPL your IBM i nightly or on the weekends, you need to also restart TCP/IP services and the EXODUS51 subsystem. While you probably already have processes in place to restart TCP/IP, you can add the command STRSBS XL_EX51/EXODUS51 as part of that process (while you are evaluating the software you may elect to just run it manually). The EXODUS51 subsystem contains an auto-start job that runs constantly to monitor and dispatch EXODUS51 conversations to the appropriate server programs.

Step 4. Install the Catapult Poller and Console on your PC.

Double-click the PC install file that you downloaded in Step 1. Follow the on-screen instructions.

1. The first window confirms the release level to be installed, and recommends you close all other applications. Click the Next> button when you are ready to continue.

2. During the install, you are prompted to select the components you need:

You must install at least one instance of each component. Use the following guidelines in selecting the components to install:

  • While evaluating the software, the simples option is to initially install both components on your PC.
  • If you are setting up a dedicated PC on which to run the Catapult Poller, make sure you select the Poller (as shown above).
  • If you have already installed the Catapult Poller on another machine then you probably only need the Console.

3. During this part of the installation you may be prompted to install the .NET Framework 3.5. If so, follow the instructions from the prompt.

4. When the installation is complete, you may be prompted to either reboot your PC (if you had to install the .NET Framework) or to run the software (if your PC already had the .NET Framework).

5. If you are prompted to reboot, after rebooting launch Catapult 7 from Start/All Programs/Catapult 7/Console/Console.

Then continue with the instructions in the next step.

  
Troubleshooting   

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

Note: Catapult 7 requires that the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 be installed on your PC. If you do not have this version on your PC, you need to complete the steps to install in on your PC before the Catapult 7 install can be completed. Follow the Microsoft prompts to complete this process. Because the .NET Framework 3.5 is considered by Microsoft to be an optional update, it’s probable that you won’t yet have it on your PC. This is a large file and may take some time both to download and install the first time. Subsequent Catapult installs and updates should only take a few seconds. For more information, please visit http://www.microsoft.com and search for “.NET Framework 3.5”.

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 5. Configure Communications for each PC and Log In.

1. After installing any Catapult PC component you need to configure communications between the PC and IBM i components. On completion of the steps on the previous page, when you attempt to run Catapult for the first time, the software will display this message:

If you don't see this window, launch the Catapult Console, at Programs/Catapult 7/Catapult Console/. The Console checks whether you have a valid connection, and if not, you are prompted to add one, at a window similar to this one:

2. Enter values as follows:

FieldValue
System NameEnter a descriptive value for this connection.
Environment LibraryAccept the default value of XL_CATAPLT.
Target IP/DomainEnter your IBM i IP address or domain name.
PortUnless by some remote coincidence you already have an application listening on port 4015, the default value of 4015 will work for you. Note that at V6R1 and higher IBM has taken over use of port 2015. You can use port 4015 as an alternative; see the Help note below for further details.
Local IP to UseIn some situations (such as connecting via a VPN), your PC may have two separate local IP addresses. Select the one you need to use.
iSeries ProfileEnter your iSeries User ID and password here to run the poller on this system.

3. When you finish, you can click the Test button to confirm your settings, then OK to present your list of connections:

4. Security and Messaging Options. Click the Remember Session Password option (shown above) so that Catapult does not prompt you to sign in every time it establishes a connection to the iSeries. Click the Apply button afterward.

5. Log in to Catapult. Click OK once more from Communications Configuration to present the Catapult Console login (this will depend on how you set up your connection):

Enter your IBM i profile and password to launch the console. If you successfully log in, it means your license key was current and valid.

Now you’re ready to continue with the next section, to set up the Catapult Poller.

  
Troubleshooting   
Here are a few things to check if you don’t get a successful connection:

EXODUS51 subsystem is not active. The most common connection error (10061) is caused by the EXODUS51 subsystem not being active. If you get this error, run the WRKACTJOB command and check whether the EXODUS51 subsystem is running and contains a job called EXSERVER. If the subsystem isn’t started, run the command STRSBS XL_EX51/EXODUS51. If the subsystem is running but EXSERVER is not, end and restart the subsystem and confirm the job is added. Then try connecting again.

Other connection errors. If the subsystem is up but you can’t connect, add XL_EX51 to the library list of your IBM i session and run the command ZDSPERRLOG to display a list of your connection attempts. Check for error messages (such as invalid User IDs, etc.).

V6R1 and Port 4015. If you are at V6R1 or higher use port 4015 or another of your choosing. If you need to change the port number, you must also run the XL_EX51/ZCFGTCP command to change your IBM i-side communication (press F4 to prompt the command). After making this change, end and restart the EXODUS51 subsystem.

Multiple Local IP addresses. If your PC has multiple local IP addresses (e.g. you have two NICs, or are connecting via a VPN) you need to select the local IP that is on the same subnet as your IBM i. It also needs to be a static IP address. The connection won’t work using the wrong local IP.

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

Step 6. Configure the Catapult Poller.

This step is only required on the PC where you have installed the Catapult Poller.

The Catapult Poller is the PC-based application you use to control the distribution of your downloaded IBM i 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.

1. Launch the Poller Configuration
To launch the Poller configuration go to the Start menu and navigate to Programs > Catapult 7 > Poller> Poller Configuration. If you have the Catapult Launchpad running, you can also right-click the icon and select Configuration > Poller.

When prompted, log in to your iSeries. Then confirm or set the options shown below.

2. General Polling Options

When you first install it, the Catapult Poller is configured as follows:

  • To be started and ended manually. You may later elect to have the poller launched on PC startup, or automatically start and end at specific times each day.
  • To poll periodically, every 10 minutes. You may adjust your polling cycle intervals according to your PC and IBM i resource usage.

If you are installing Catapult for the first time, and have only a few simple rules, you can set it to poll every minute or two. If you have many, complex rules processing hundreds or thousands of reports, you may want to poll less frequently.

For most applications, the default options here should work for you.

Network Acquisition Default Profile
You will need to fill out these options if you plan to create grab rules to retrieve network files from a location that the main Windows profile running the poller doesn’t have access to. For example, the main profile might not have access to financial information on a network share, but a superuser who has created rules to grab that file may enter their login information either here or in an individual grab rule.

3. Configuring the Queues to Poll

The setting that most affects Catapult’s performance is the queues to poll. When you first install the software, Catapult is not set to poll any queues. You can verify this from the poller Configuration menu entry named ‘Queues’:

When you first install the software, the list on the left will be empty. Select and move over (using the arrows between the lists) any queues containing spool files that you will process and distribute with Catapult.

When you are first getting started make double sure you are polling all the necessary queues. In our experience in Technical Support, over-enthusiastic queue culling is one of the main reasons for otherwise correct grab rules not producing any results. But if you do have queues with thousands of old, archived spool files, you can leave those in the list of omitted queues.

4. Configure the Email Server Information

One of Catapult's primary functions is to distribute spool files by email. To do this you must provide Catapult with the IP address for your organization's email server. You also need to specify the email server information so you can be notified of any errors encountered when processing your spool files.

To configure the email server information, click on the Server menu entry and type a valid Name and From Address. Note that most email servers will not accept mail from an invalid address within your domain. Then type your email server's port and IP address:

5. Set the Administrator Email Options
At the Administration 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.

6. Translation Options for Non-English Language Systems

If your IBM i is configured for any language other than English, you should set up the translation options accordingly, in the Advanced Configuration options:

You can find the necessary CCSID values on your IBM i using the command DSPSYSVAL (QCHRID).

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 IBM i 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 7. Configure the Poller Service.

These steps are required to avoid problems with the following types of grab rules:

  • Grab rules configured to automatically print reports.
  • Grab rules designed to access network resources, such as files to attach to emails, or graphical overlays.
  • Grab rules designed to archive reports to network directories.
In summary, configuring the Catapult Poller service according to the following instructions will give you predictable network access to supporting resources.

1. Launch the Start/Run window.
On the Catapult Poller PC, go to your Start menu and open the Run... window. Type ‘services.msc’:

Click the OK button.

2. Find and double-click the Catapult 7 Service option.

In the list of services running on the PC, find the service named ‘Catapult 7 Service’. When you find the entry shown above, double-click it.

3. Add a Log On profile.

In the Catapult 7 Service Properties window, go to the Log On tab and enter your network ID and password (this is for your network, NOT the iSeries):

The account name needs to be entered according to the following criteria:

  • If you are using a non-domain machine with an operating system such as XP Home, enter the account in the format “.\PROFILE” (for example, .\jsmith).
  • If you are using a machine (such as a Windows 2003 or XP Pro box) that is part of an existing domain and you wish to use a domain profile for authority use this format: “DOMAIN\PROFILE” (e.g. ALPHA\jsmith).

Use a network profile that will have authority to all the folders and printers Catapult would normally need to access, including authority to create and delete files and directories.

When you finish this step, click Apply, then OK.

4. Verify your change.

When you click OK above, you should return to your list of services, where the profile you entered above should be shown in the ‘Log On As’ column.

Then close the Services window.

  
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 9. What Next?

After you configure the Catapult Poller, we recommend you continue by working through the tutorial chapters of the Catapult 7 User GuideOpens new window, which describe how to create new grab rules, and then start the Catapult Poller afterwards.

You can also follow the suggestions in our 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.