VMware and software packaging

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I need to package software so it can be deployed via AD across MS windows network (MS server 2003)

I was looking for a software packager that creates a MSI package for software. (So it can be unpacked when deployed) Also I was going to use VMware to test the software had packaged correctly.


Having used Google i found one called AdminStudio by Macrovision

Q) what do you use to package software?

Q) Do you use VMware to set up a test environment for the software package?

 

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Have you tried WinInstallLE? It's an MSI package creator. it used to be free, but I'm not sure if it is any more.

 

Thanks Simon I will google it!

Do you use it? If so what do you use as a test environment? A PC with afresh install windows or Virtual PC/VMware?

 

I've used it in the past, but at present I don't have any need to do so.

What I use for testing depends on where I am and what I'm doing. Since I don't work in a 'production environment' most of my testing whilst I'm at work is carried out on MS Virtual PC. At home I run VMWare Fusion, but don't really do much at home any more.

 

Do you realise that a lot of files with a .exe do contain an msi when you unpack them? I know a lot of the things we deploy here are taken from exes and then create a transform file. Adobe and MS give you transform creators for you to use.

Essentially once you have the MSI and MST we create a GPO and add the relevent machines to the group et volia depolyed software.

Hope it helps

 

What's a GPO? is it something to do with policy groups??

Yes I know, I had suggested creating a virtual server and desktop environment so the package stay on the server with a s/c on the customer desktop but the software houses are dead against it! because of the updates required for the package. they recommend the software to be installed locally



Although I don' believe that's the real reason behind it!

Also some softwae house don't offer a MSI package, they expect you to slipstream the software!!

 

:hhhmmm i know you can convert the files but what if you want to create a short to that deployed package on the users desktop?? If you use adobeand MS would that create the short cuts?

 

Hiya Dave,

There is no reason why you couldn't create a shortcut on a users desktop which could start the installation off, but in a production environment, software is usually deployed by linking to a gpo the computer has been placed in.

You can read more about assigning and publishing software here.

Hope this helps.

Simon

 

GPO, EDM's Radia, or i think MS SMS can be configured to do this aswell.

Boycey has a point, write a script to execute the install at log on to run once

GPO is basically settings and configurations set by the administrators, who ever is in charge of it.
Windows has like a template, which contains all of the settings for windows, from wallpaper, to control panel, to registry and this can be changed by them to suit their need and the needs of the end user and support teams.

edit > link

 

Thanks Simon Just reading the link now... :hhhmmm does the user have to setup as a power user?

 

Do you find the problems occured because of different versions of MS windows updates such as service packs that may contain certain shared dll files that are required to run the software you are deploying?

Or are you refferring to conflicts with other software on the PC?

 

Ah right! I know about Group Policy's I have set theses up when deploying software to users who must be a power user to enable updates to be installed on their local PC!

But what I didn't know (Until I read you link Mr C) was that GPO stood for Group Policy