Install SolarWinds Platform Agent on IBM AIX from tar.gz (Server‑Initiated Mode)

SolarWinds supports manual deployment of the SolarWinds Platform Agent to Linux/Unix systems, including IBM AIX, when SSH push deployment is not possible or not desired. In this case, the customer had the manual installer file (swiagent.tar.gz) and wanted to use server‑initiated communication:

• Manual agent deployment path:
  Settings > All Settings > Agent & Remote Collector > Download Agent Software → Unix/Linux → Manually Install by Downloading Files via URL.

• Communication choice:

  • Agent‑initiated (active) → agent opens HTTPS 17778 to the polling engine (not used here).

  • Server‑initiated (passive) → agent listens on a port (default 17790) for connections from the SolarWinds Platform server or polling engine (used here).

After installing the agent from the tarball and registering it in Manage Agents > Add Agent > Connect to a previously installed agent, the AIX node successfully established communication with Orion using server‑initiated mode.

• Deploy SolarWinds Platform Agents manually to a Linux/Unix-based computer
  https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/orionplatform/content/core-deploy-a-linux-agent-manually.htm

• AIX (SAM) – confirms AIX support and available SAM templates/components
  https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/sam/content/sam-aix-sw4110.htm

1. Supported OS
   Confirm the AIX version is supported: IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, or 7.3.

2. Network/Ports

   • For server‑initiated communication:

     • The AIX agent must listen on TCP 17790 (or another configured port).

     • The SolarWinds Platform server / polling engine must be able to reach that port on the AIX host.

3. Permissions on AIX

   • Root (or equivalent) privileges are required to install the agent and run install.sh.

4. SolarWinds Web Console Access

   • Access to Settings > All Settings > Agent & Remote Collector > Download Agent Software in the SolarWinds Platform Web Console.

1. Generate and download the AIX agent package (server‑initiated)

1. In the SolarWinds Web Console, navigate to:
   Settings > All Settings > Agent & Remote Collector > Download Agent Software.

2. Click Unix/Linux, then click Next.

3. Choose Manually Install by Downloading Files via URL, then click Next.

4. Select your Distribution:

   • Choose IBM AIX 7.x (or the appropriate AIX option).

5. Communication Mode:

   • Select Server‑initiated.

6. Connection Settings:

   • Configure the listening port, typically 17790 (default for server‑initiated).

   • (Optional) Configure proxy settings if a proxy is required (Advanced section).

   • Set an Agent Shared Secret if required by your security policy.

7. Complete the wizard and click Download Agent Software File for Manual Installation to get the swiagent.tar.gz file for AIX.

2. Transfer and install the agent from swiagent.tar.gz on AIX

1. Copy the swiagent.tar.gz file to the AIX server (for example, into /tmp).

2. Log in to the AIX server as root (or use sudo).

3. Extract and run the installer, following the vendor instructions for the “Run an installer file” method:

   # Example commands on AIX
   cd /tmp
   mkdir inst
   cp /tmp/swiagent.tar.gz /tmp/inst/
   cd /tmp/inst
   
   # Unpack the agent archive
   gunzip swiagent.tar.gz
   tar -xvf swiagent.tar
   
   # Run the installer
   ./install.sh
   

4. Confirm the agent service/subsystem has been installed and is running (AIX examples: lssrc -s swiagentd, startsrc -s swiagentd), per internal or AIX‑specific guidance.

3. Connect to the already installed agent (server‑initiated)

Once the agent is installed and listening on the configured port, register it in the SolarWinds Platform as an existing agent:

1. In the SolarWinds Web Console, go to:
   Settings > All Settings > Manage Agents (under Node & Group Management).

2. Click Add Agent.

3. Select Connect to a previously installed agent and click Next.

4. Provide the following:

   • Agent Name – display name for this AIX agent.

   • IP address or hostname – the AIX server’s IP or DNS name.

   • Port – the same listening port configured for the agent in step 1 (for example, 17790).

   • Communication Type – Server‑initiated communication.

   • Proxy – if applicable, expand Advanced, check Use proxy, and enter proxy details.

   • Shared Secret – if configured when generating the package, use the same value.

5. Save the configuration.

If communication is successful, the agent will appear in the Manage Agents grid and show a connected status.

4. Assign monitored resources

1. From the Manage Agents page, select the new AIX agent.

2. Click Choose Resources.

3. Select the items you want to monitor (for example, templates using AIX‑compatible SAM component monitors such as Process Monitor, File monitors, TCP Port Monitor, etc.).

4. Click Submit to apply the selection.
   
   

   This procedure can be reused whenever an AIX host requires manual agent installation with server‑initiated communication.