Bypass Maximo installer prerequisite checks

Sometimes the legacy Maximo installer rejects an environment even though Maximo and its middleware support it. One example is Windows Server 2016: the product stack supported the operating system, but the older prerequisite scanner did not recognise it.

The BYPASS_PRS environment variable tells that installer family to skip its prerequisite checks. Use it only after checking the exact Maximo release, fix pack, operating system, database, application server and Java combination against IBM's compatibility information.

Bypassing the scanner does not make an unsupported environment supported, install missing software or correct an undersized server. Record which check failed and why it is safe to continue before using the bypass.

Windows

Open Command Prompt as an administrator in the directory containing launchpad64.exe. Set the variable and start the launchpad from the same window:

set BYPASS_PRS=True
launchpad64.exe

The variable belongs to that Command Prompt process. Starting the launchpad from Explorer or another terminal will not pass it to the installer.

Linux or UNIX

Open a shell in the directory containing launchpad.sh, export the variable and start the launchpad from the same shell:

export BYPASS_PRS=True
./launchpad.sh

Run the launchpad with the account and permissions required by your installation plan. Do not switch to another shell between exporting the variable and starting it.

Check the installation afterward

Skipping the prerequisite scan also removes an early warning that might have been useful. Before treating the installation as complete:

1. Review the installer and Installation Manager logs for errors or ignored requirements.
2. Confirm the installed product and fix-pack levels.
3. Run the configuration tool and complete the required database, application build and deployment work.
4. Start Maximo and test login, database access, integrations and scheduled processing.
5. Keep the compatibility evidence and the reason for the bypass with the change record.

IBM demonstrates the same Windows variable when installing the Maximo Asset Management 7.6.1.3 fix pack on Windows Server 2022. IBM's Maximo Asset Management 7.6 installation walkthrough also describes the prerequisite verification tool and recommends resolving reported requirements before continuing in a normal installation.

This is a procedure for the legacy Maximo Asset Management launchpad. Maximo Application Suite and Maximo Manage use a different, OpenShift-based installation process, so BYPASS_PRS is not a substitute for their documented prerequisites.