Which install method should I use?

Guidance for choosing the best DataStax Enterprise 6.8 installation method for your purposes.

DataStax Enterprise 6.8 installation types

You can install DataStax Enterprise (DSE) in several ways, depending on the purpose of the installation, and the type of operating system. Be sure to install on a supported platform.

End User License Agreement (EULA). By downloading this DataStax product, you agree to the terms of the EULA.

Installation method	About
DSE OpsCenter Lifecyle Manager	The Lifecycle Manager (LCM) can install DSE. It is fully integrated with DSE OpsCenter. LCM provides: A web-based graphical interface for installing and configuring DSE. Performs a Services installation using RHEL or Debian packages. Ability to configure and update all DSE settings. Installs the necessary system requirements automatically, including Java. Integrates with OpsCenter Best Practice Service, which detects many suboptimal configuration settings. Automation via the LCM API. Installing DSE using LCM requires Installing DSE OpsCenter, bringing your own instances on a supported platform with SSH and Python installed, and root permissions on the target nodes.
Installing DataStax Enterprise 6.8 on RHEL-based systems using Yum	Installs DSE using Yum repositories on RHEL-based systems. Typically used in production environments and requires root permissions.
Installing DataStax Enterprise 6.8 on Debian-based systems using APT	Installs DSE on Debian-based systems using APT. Typically used in production environments and requires root permissions.
Binary tarball installer	Installs DSE on any supported Linux-based platform. Does not require root permissions.
Installing and deploying DSE on cloud platforms	Instructions for installing and deploying DSE on Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon EC2.
Installing DSE 6.8 on Docker	Instructions for using DataStax Docker images to create DSE server, DSE OpsCenter, and DataStax Studio containers in non-production environments.

Installation method

About

DSE OpsCenter Lifecyle Manager

The Lifecycle Manager (LCM) can install DSE. It is fully integrated with DSE OpsCenter. LCM provides:

A web-based graphical interface for installing and configuring DSE.
Performs a Services installation using RHEL or Debian packages.
Ability to configure and update all DSE settings.
Installs the necessary system requirements automatically, including Java.
Integrates with OpsCenter Best Practice Service, which detects many suboptimal configuration settings.
Automation via the LCM API.

Installing DSE using LCM requires Installing DSE OpsCenter, bringing your own instances on a supported platform with SSH and Python installed, and root permissions on the target nodes.

Installing DataStax Enterprise 6.8 on RHEL-based systems using Yum

Installs DSE using Yum repositories on RHEL-based systems. Typically used in production environments and requires root permissions.

Installing DataStax Enterprise 6.8 on Debian-based systems using APT

Installs DSE on Debian-based systems using APT. Typically used in production environments and requires root permissions.

Binary tarball installer

Installs DSE on any supported Linux-based platform. Does not require root permissions.

Installing and deploying DSE on cloud platforms

Instructions for installing and deploying DSE on Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon EC2.

Installing DSE 6.8 on Docker

Instructions for using DataStax Docker images to create DSE server, DSE OpsCenter, and DataStax Studio containers in non-production environments.

If you have installed hot fixes, be sure to manually remove the hot fix JAR files before upgrading DataStax Enterprise.

Installing DataStax Enterprise drivers

For version compatibility and installation information, see the DataStax drivers page.