New to Linux ( RH 8 ) Should I log in as root before installing Tomcat or can I install as my own user?

generally all packages require you to be root to install them, however, in RH8, if it is an RPM file, it will simply prompt you for the root password, so you don't need to log in as root. I never log in as root, and always use the su command instead.

if you want to know about the su command, or if it's not an RPM, just ask
MN

Thanks so much for your reply. (Scotland? I'm jealous!)

I tried to run the rpm command in the terminal without using su to root and received what looks like permission errors.

warning: tomcat4-4.0-1.noarch.rpm: V3 RSA/MD5 signature: NOKEY, KeyId 697ecedd
error: cannot get exclusive lock on /var/lib/rpm/Packages
error: cannot open Packages index using db3 - Operation not permitted (1)
error: cannot open Packages database in /var/lib/rpm

It looks like these are issues stemming from not being root.

Should I use su - root and then run the rpm -ivh command on the tomcat package?

thanks again.

yes.

sorry, I wasn't sure if you were happy using console, so i described the graphical method.

if you open up a konqueror or nautilus (depending on whether you use KDE or GNOME) then double-click the file, grpmi should open and prompt for the root password.

if you use the console, yes you should su to root before executing the rpm command:

$ su
root password: <type pasword>
# rpm -ivh tomcat.rpm
<chugs for a bit>
# exit
$

MN

Thank you for your reply. I ran the rpm command as root as you suggested and did not receive any error messages. It was later that I discovered that the file was the wrong one. For those reading this post, the correct file to install tomcat is a gnu tar.
I used jakarta-tomcat-4.1.27-LE-jdk14.tar.gz to work with my pre-installed jdk 1.4. I ran the tar command as root and it installed.

just running the tar command as root does not usually install, it just extracts. (in this case, as the RPM was "noarch" it may well have doen though) - if the RPM installed ok, it shopuld be on your system allready.

usually with .tar.gz files you need to compile it:
# ./configure
# make
# make install

anyway, glad you got it working.
MN

I was curious as to the meaning of "noarch" and thought that it pertained to jakarta, so I did not think to ask. What is the meaning of "noarch"? How does it pertain to rpm?

right, noarch refers to the architecture.
since RPM files usually contain binary files (which have to be compiled for a particular architecture, e.g. mac (PPC) or intel clone (ix86)) the file must identify which architecture it is for. The convention is to name files as follows:

packagename-1.2-3.arch.rpm

where arch is the architecture. you probably use a PC so probably will use i386, i586, i686, or ix86.
"noarch" means the package will run on any platform, because it usually means it does not contain any binary files.
"src" means it contains source code and has to be built with the rpmbuild --rebuild command before installing.
HTH
MN

Hi guys...

I'm trying to run tomcat 4.0.4 and have installed it:

(I can't install an newer version of tomcat 'cause it doesn't run with RedHatCMS properly....)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
BEGIN
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[root@localhost 404tomcat]# rpm -ivh tomcat4-4.0.4-full.2jpp.noarch.rpm
warning: tomcat4-4.0.4-full.2jpp.noarch.rpm: V3 RSA/MD5 signature: NOKEY, key ID 697ecedd
Preparing... ########################################### [100%]
1:tomcat4 ########################################### [100%]

Don't forget to setup vars in /etc/tomcat4/tomcat4.conf to
adapt the RPM to your configuration.
Also edit/create /etc/java.conf to define your default JDK

For security purposes, tomcat4 service is installed
but not activated by default.
use your service installer for such purposes
ie: ntsysv

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
END
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


But now, I'm trying to find the run files, either catalina.sh or startup.sh and I cant fiind it????

The release notes said here:

/var/cache/tomcat4/work

but it is empty.....?????

Any thoughts???

# rpm -ql tomcat
this gives you a list of all the files the package has installed
MN