What steps would you follow to install software in an enterprise-computing environment?
Enterprise-computing environment implies that it should be done very carefully. 1) If you are going to do it on a production server, then normally you should have tested it on a non-production server first. 2) Backup the system before you change anything. Next it depends on whether the Software you are installing will update the Operating System / System files area. Better to be safe than sorry and assume it does… 3.1) Many operating systems like Unix will enable you to do a live upgrade. This involves having a copy of the OS and updating that area. After you update the copy – reboot to that copy. If all works fine – you can then either make that copy the live boot or resilver it to the boot disk. 3.2) Windows X/P for example enables you to make a checkpoint. So use that. 3.3) Solaris 10) If you have ZFS – do a snapshot. Other technologies also enable you to do snapshots.. 4) If all works well continue – otherwise using the snapshot or if more drastic – restore from your backup.
