Edit build files to include non-root users, and options to choose install locations

[ireed]

In its current form, Moonray can only be installed and used by admins. At the moment, root access is a hard requirement for both building and executing Moonray. This is an unreasonable demand, as many users may not have admin access to their production machines - in fact, that is probably closer to the norm. Furthermore, the build instructions do not allow users to install moonray in non-root folders. All files are hard-coded to install into either the root home directory, or /install. Users should be able to do a local install, or at least be able to choose a different directory. Other than the yum commands, there appears to be nothing in the install or execution procedures that cannot be done as a non-root user.

[rgwilson68]

What specifically is failing when you try to install as a non-root user?

[ireed]

I dont understand your question. Based on the installation instructions, a non-root user cannot make it past step 1. But, even ignoring the yum install commands, the app is installed in the root directory, while supplemental files+libs are in /install. These directories are hard-coded into the makefiles.

[kjeffery]

Hi @ireed ! I have encountered the same problem when building OpenMoonRay in different environments. I am going to see if we can improve this process.

[ireed]

@kjeffery There are ways around these issues, but it requires fairly advanced sysadmin knowledge such as doing local rpm installs instead of the yum commands, as well as building the moonray directory structures in user-space. I could make a very long post about the procedures, if enough people find it useful.