MSI Packages (Computer Management)

MSI Packages*

The MSI Packages object is used to configure the deployment of applications throughout the enterprise. The MSI Packages object supports the deployment of Windows Installer MSI, MST and MSP packages. Using a Windows Installer package ensures that applications are installed, updated and uninstalled in a consistent manner throughout the enterprise.

The MSI Packages settings tab provides the interface to select a previously published package and one or more transfer files, and add desired Windows Installer command line options. In addition, you can choose to distribution server that will serve the package to the desktops that validate for this configuration element.

Packages may be installed/uninstalled asynchronously or synchronously and they may be installed without user notification (silent), if desired.

Settings

MSI Packages

Select Package

Click the Select Package button to select a package to install/uninstall on client computers within the enterprise. A package can be selected from a list of packages that are known and published by Desktop Authority within Software Distribution.

Once a package is selected, detailed information about the package will be displayed above the Select Package button. The detailed information includes the product name, file name, manufacturer, version, product code, file size and the published status of the package.

If a package is unpublished but is used in an existing MSI package element, click the Publish button to return it to published status.

Action

Select Install or Uninstall from the Action list to define the action for the MSI Packages element.

Asynchronous

Select this box to run the MSI installation asynchronously. In asynchronous mode, the installation will run at the same time as others. If this check box is cleared, applications will install one after another. Each installation must complete before the next one will begin.

Continue execution after xx hours, xx minutes, if the application has not closed

When launching an application, Desktop Authority may stop its processing if the application does not finish processing and close successfully. A machine reboot will allow Desktop Authority to complete. Select this checkbox to allow Desktop Authority to continue processing even if the Application launcher action does not complete. Enter the amount of time, in hours and minutes, for Desktop Authority to wait for the application completion.

If the application is still processing after the time has elapsed, Desktop Authority will execute the profile object element, leaving the current application process started.

Silent

All packages being installed from a Computer Management profile will automatically be installed silently, i.e. without displaying any user interface to the end user. This box will always be selected and cannot be unselected.

Packages

Published transform files

Transform files provide configuration settings to be used during the installation of a package. One use of a Transform file is to automatically provide responses to prompts during the installation, for example, to provide an installation path or serial number, so the end user does not have to.

To enable the use of Transform files, there must be at least one published MST. MST files are published within the Software Distribution global object. Both the Add and Delete buttons will be disabled if there are no published MST files in the software repository.

Click Add Files to select one or more transform files to add to the Transform Files list. Click Delete to remove selected transform files from the Transform Files list.

Additional command line options

MSIEXEC, the Windows Installer executable program installs packages and products, is called to deploy Windows Installer files. Based on the configurations for the MSI Packages object, specific command line options are passed to MSIEXEC. To use additional command line options, enter the switches in this box. For example, entering /norestart will not allow the computer to restart following the install/uninstall, even if the MSI calls for it. All switches entered into this box will be passed to MSIEXEC in addition to any command options that are part of the MSI Packages configurations.

Distribution servers

Select Automatic selection to copy the Windows Installer packages to the client from an auto-selected server. Select Use specific server to define a specific server to copy the Windows Installer package file from. Separate multiple server names using a semicolon (;).

For configuration information on the Update Service, see What is the Update Service?

Execution Options 

Balloon

Show Balloon message to users before element executes

Check this box to show a pop up message from the system tray before each Desktop Authority element is executed on the computer. Enter the message text into the Text box.

Permission

Ask user's permission to execute element

Select this box to pause execution and request permission via a message box to execute an element on the desktop. Enter a message into the Text box. This text will be used on the on permission message box.

Message box will timeout after xx seconds

When permission is requested from the user, the message box will be displayed for the number of seconds specified here.

Default answer if message box times out

If there is no response during the timeout period, the message box will be accepted or dismissed based on the specified default answer.

Authorized by

Optionally enter then name of the person who authorized the specified configuration to take place.

Reboot

Reboot after element executes

Select this option to determine the timing in which a reboot will take place, if required, by the executed element.

Reboot type

Reboot immediately without user interaction

Allow the required reboot to happen immediately following the element configuration.

Remind user that a reboot is required (will not reboot unless user approves)

Select this option to delay the reboot to a time that the user deems acceptable.

Reboot with count down (machine will reboot when countdown dialog comes out, unless postponed)

The user will be provided a countdown timer before the reboot event occurs. Specify the number of seconds for the countdown in the Seconds until reboot box.

Reboot timeout

Seconds until reboot

Enter the number of seconds to count down until reboot occurs.

Allow users to postpone reboot

Select this box to allow the user to postpone the impending reboot.

Timing 

Select the Timing tab to configure when this element will be executed. Computer Management objects can execute at computer Startup, Shutdown, defined Refresh intervals or based on customized Schedules.

Validation Logic

Select the Validation Logic tab to set the validation rules for this element.

Notes

Select the Notes tab to create any additional notes needed to document the profile element.

Description

When adding or modifying a profile object element, the description appears above the settings tab. Enter a description to annotate the element. The default value for new profile elements can be changed by going to the system Preferences.