# Uninstalling the WEM Software

This chapter provides the step-by-step procedure of uninstalling WEM application using the GUI-based installation wizard and the console-based installation method. Additionally, it provides instructions for backing up all the critical files before starting the WEM uninstallation.

This chapter includes the following topics:

- Understanding the Uninstall Process
- Determining the Best Uninstallation Method
- Using the GUI-based Uninstall Method
- Using the Console-based Uninstall Method

IMPORTANT:

Unless otherwise specified, all information in this chapter applies to both Sun Solaris - and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)-based WEM installations.

Understanding the Uninstall Process

Upgrading the Web Element software on the server requires that the currently installed version be uninstalled from the server before the newer version can be installed. Failure to do so will prevent your ability to install the new WEM version.

IMPORTANT:

If you are uninstalling WEM in any clustered setup prior to an upgrade, the node has to be put into maintenance mode first (i.e. removed from the resource group). This ensures that all the processes running on this node are stopped and prevents the active node from failing over to become the standby node. For more information on this procedure, please refer to WEM High Availability Redundancy with Cluster Application in the appendices.

Following is an overview of the uninstall process.

Make Backup Copies of All Critical Files

This step requires that you archive, at a minimum, the following files.

- All data files, typically located in the /<ems_dir>/server/data directory and all subdirectories residing there (i.e. /bulkstats, etc.).
- PostgreSQL data files, located in the ~postgres/data or users/postgresx.x.x/data directory. Refer to the Backing-up WEM Databases section of the WEM Database Maintenance chapter in this guide for more information.

  IMPORTANT:

  Downgrading the WEM application to an earlier version is not supported at this time. You must uninstall the current version and install the older version using the instructions located in Installing the WEM Software chapter of this guide. Please contact your local sales representative for information on preserving data stored by the current WEM instance prior to uninstalling.

Uninstall WEM Application

The process used to perform this uninstall is dependent upon the method used to install the version currently running. See the section below for information on how to determine which installation method was used previously.

Whichever uninstall method is used, it is generally preferable to install the new version of the application using the GUI-based installation method.

Determining the Best Uninstallation Method

The WEM, and its ancillary components such as the Apache web server and PostgreSQL database engine, may be uninstalled using one of two methods.

- GUI-based method: This method is the most often used uninstallation procedure. Requirements for using this method include:
  - Logon account to the WEM server with display terminal (monitor) attached and some X-Windows client installed on server.
  - Network connectivity to WEM server via Telnet or SSH, using some X-Windows client on remote workstation.

  IMPORTANT:

  If the uninstall GUI does not open, add X-windows port (TCP/6000) in the exception list of Windows firewall.
- Console-based method: This method is available to users who do not have an X-Windows client available for remote network connectivity to the WEM server via Telnet or SSH.

It is important to note that the uninstallation method is independent of the method used for installation. For example, if the console-based method was used for installation, either the GUI- or console-based method can be used to uninstall the program.

## Using the GUI-based Uninstall Method

This section provides instructions for uninstalling the WEM application using the GUI-method.

IMPORTANT:

The GUI-based uninstall script is designed to protect all the historical data files that are currently in use. However, it is still recommended that you manually perform a backup of these files before continuing.

1. Log into the server on which the WEM application is installed. Use the root username and password.
2. Go to the directory in which WEM is installed (the /users/ems directory by default) by entering the following command:

       cd /<ems_dir>

3. Go to the /_uninst sub-directory by entering the following command: cd _uninst
4. Execute the uninstall script by entering the following command: ./uninstall.bin -consoleA dialog box appears welcoming you to the WEM uninstallation wizard. Accept all defaults to uninstall the software.
5. Optional: If all critical and historical data files have been properly backed up, delete the /ems directory using the following commands:

       cd ..

       cd ..

   rm -R ems

   IMPORTANT:

   If you decided to keep the /ems directory, it is highly recommended that at the very least you delete the _uninst directory. Failure to remove this directory before installing a new version of the WEM application using the GUI-based installation method will result in a different _uninst directory being created each time you perform a software upgrade. This results in the creation of multiple uninstall directories (i.e. named /_uninst2, /_uninst3, etc.). The uninst file needed for the next uninstall would have to be located there.

## Using the Console-based Uninstall Method

This section provides instructions for uninstalling the WEM application using the console-based method.

IMPORTANT:

The console-based uninstall script is designed to protect all the historical data files that are currently in use. However, it is still recommended that you manually perform a backup of these files before proceeding with this procedure.

1. Log into the server on which the WEM application is installed. Use the root username and password.
2. Go to the directory in which WEM is installed (the /users/ems directory by default) by entering the following command: cd /<ems_dir>
3. Go to the /_uninst sub-directory by entering the following command: cd _uninst
4. Execute the uninstall script by entering the following command: ./uninstall.bin -console A message appears welcoming you to the WEM uninstallation wizard.
5. Enter “1” to proceed. A message appears listing the application processes to be uninstalled.
6. Enter “1” to proceed with the uninstallation. A number of messages are displayed indicating the progress.
7. Enter “3” to complete the uninstallation process. Upon completion, the uninstall script indicates that certain sub-directories were not deleted within the /ems directory.
8. Optional: If all critical and historical data files have been properly backed up, delete the /ems directory using the following commands:

       cd ..

       cd ..

       rm -R ems

   IMPORTANT:

   If you decide to keep the /ems directory, it is highly recommended that at the very least you delete the _uninst directory. Failure to remove this directory before installing a new version of the WEM application using the GUI-based installation method will result in a different _uninst directory being created each time you perform a software upgrade. This results in the creation of multiple uninstall directories (i.e. named /_uninst2, /_uninst3, etc.). The uninst file needed for the next uninstall would have to be located there.