Before installing NICI, review the following considerations:
You must install NICI as a root user or a root-equivalent user.
NICI is a shared library (DLL,.so). providing API services to applications. It does not run as a separate program or service.
NICI provides additional capabilities to eDirectory via the niciext module that is shipped as part of the eDirectory distribution and that runs as an eDirectory service.
You must install NICI on every workstation that use management utilities for eDirectory, such as iManager.
NICI and eDirectory support RSA key sizes up to 4096 bits.
You can install NICI separately or with eDirectory, iManager, or Novell Client on platforms supported by these products. For more information on supported platforms, see System Requirements.
Uninstalling or reinstalling NICI does not destroy existing keys (i.e. key files are not removed from the file system during uninstall or during reinstall.
Installing NICI 3.0 or later does not require rebooting the server in most instances. However, if the NICI module (DLL or .so) is in use and cannot be overwritten by the installation program, a reboot might be necessary. Before installing NICI, all applications which are using NICI should be shut down to help avoid reboots.
Installing a newer version of NICI over an existing NICI installation upgrades NICI. Always upgrade NICI using the NICI installation program (MSI or RPM). Do not copy NICI modules manually. Manual copying will result in a chaotic system, and may cause irreparable damage to the system and/or other products such as PKI, SecretStore/Single Sign-On, NMAS, directory services, etc.