Software Distribution

Software Distribution*

MSI packages contain all necessary files an application needs in order for it to be installed using Microsoft's Windows Installer. Windows Installer can install and/or uninstall MSI packages for any application regardless of the install package used by the manufacturer. Administrators can customize an MSI package by creating a transform (.MST) file. The transform can provide answers to Windows Installer when the MSI file calls for user input, such as choosing which options to install or the correct installation path. It can also remove unwanted features from the basic installation. MSP files are Microsoft Windows patch files that are updates to applications that have been previously installed with Windows Installer.

The Desktop Authority Software Distribution object is used to manage a repository of Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI, MST, MSP) packages.

The Software Distribution object provides the ability to:

• import packages into its repository.
• export packages from its repository.
• delete packages from the repository.
• publish packages for deployment using the Desktop Authority MSI Packages object.
• unpublish packages, i.e., remove them from use by the MSI Packages object.
• determine the differences between published and unpublished packages.

Figure 56: Software Distribution process overview

Desktop Authority accesses Windows Installer packages, providing the ability to Import, Export, Modify, Delete and Publish these packages.

Multi-select packages

One or more packages may be selected in the Software Distribution list by using the Shift or Ctrl key in combination with a mouse click. To select multiple packages, hold down the CTRL key while clicking the individual packages to select. Consecutive packages in the grid can be selected by clicking the first package to select and then, while holding down the SHIFT key, clicking the last package to select. To select the entire list of packages select the checkbox to the left of the column headers. This box will be empty if no packages are selected and will be filled with a square if some packages are selected. A package's selected status may be changed by clicking on it.

Import

Click Import to copy a Windows Installer package into the Desktop Authority repository. The Installer file must be an existing MSI, MST or MSP package.

Export

Click Export to copy a Windows Installer package from the Desktop Authority repository to another defined location.

Publish

Click Publish to make the selected packages available for install by Desktop Authority’s MSI Packages object. The MSI package file is not initially copied to the server that the update service is installed to. However, when the client machine requests the package, the MSI package is copied to the server that the Update service is installed to. If a package is never requested by a client, it will not exist on the server.

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

Unpublish

Click Unpublish to remove Windows Installer packages from all distribution servers.

Delete

Click Delete to remove a Windows Installer package from the Desktop Authority repository.

Refresh

Click Refresh to freshen the Software Packages list.

Software packages list

The Software Packages list defines all Windows Installer packages that are available for deployment. This includes MSI, MST and MSP files. Packages must be imported into the Desktop Authority repository to show in this list. The following information is available about each package in the list: Product Name, File Name, Published Status, Published Date, Manufacturer, Type, Version, Product Code, and File Size.

Show differences

Click Show Differences between the published and unpublished versions of the selected package, if any differences exist.

This function is only available if the MSI is published and there are determined to be differences between the published and unpublished version of the package. If it is determined that there are no differences between the published and unpublished version of the package, this button will be disabled.