Rollout of Software/Packaging Software

[magicman13]

I desperately require some help regarding the rollout of some software. I have only been comlpeting menial tasks with SMS for a year and now have the responisibility of a rollout site wide of some software. It is non MS software and is actually another remote control package. I really need some pointers please.

 

[fugazi1968]

Hi

The best way i have found is to see if the package you are installing has any command line switches. If you can find one that will perform an unattended or quiet install you should have no trouble.

Its then a question of building a new package, which the wizard will guide you through, then go into the package and add a new program, entering the additional command line switches on the end.

Once thats done you can advertise it to the appropriate collection.

if you need more detailed instructions I'll be happy to help.

Take care.

 

[drew1701d]

Hi, best way I've found to create golden installations of software packages is using Microsoft's SMS Installer SW, havent seen it on their site in a while, but you can find it through search engines like google, its out there and a great application as it will watch you setup an application with all your preferred settings then compile an automated installation package according to your specifications. Has many variables you can customize, like rebooting the system and automating logon process to complete setup of some systems, highly recommend you get the sms installer book from a local bookstore near you. Been using SMS installer for quite some time and have had nothing but praise from our customers.
Andrew

 

[magicman13]

Thanks very much for the feed back. Just one thing I forgot to mention is that we are still running an NT4.0 network and all of the material I have found relating to the Microsoft Installer Software makes reference to Win 2K. Is there a problem with trying to use this software with NT4.0 or do I need to dig a little deeper to find the older version of it.

 

[fugazi1968]

As far as I can establish with the installer is that when creating a package you have to set up one for each different OS you are going to put the installer package on.

So if you wanted to put Winzip on a windows 98 machine and a windows 2000 machine, you'd have to create an installer package for each.

MS Implies that the PC you create the package on must be identical to the target PC's, but I'm not convinced of that one.

Windows installer should run on all platforms, otherwise youd only be able to create an installer package for 2000.

Hope this helps.