Re: Using SMS 2003 for workstation installations
Sorry for the delay in replying.
So if I understand this correctly, the .exe absolutely *has* to be launched
from the server hosting the application? Is this a "Click-Once" or something
like that app?
We've got a couple of those we have to help deploy. In that case, there are
no "source" files, and all you are doing is asking the client to launch an
executable at a certain time from a network resource. It bugs my innate
desire to have clients only launch applications (like setup executables)
either from a locally cached location or from a local distribution
point--launching something across the network from the remote /slow link
connected offices takes *forever*--but with a clickonce app install we are
limited by the technology.
To answer your question; sure, SMS can do that. But I'd take a good look at
what exactly it is, and see if it *has* to install directly from the server.
There's a couple of applications which the installation instructions from the
vendor say the app has to launch from their server, from a shared directory
across the WAN, but it's bogus information. It can install from any source
directory successfully. So test, test, test.
--
Standardize. Simplify. Automate.
"Markus" wrote:
> Hi Sherry,
>
> Good to hear.
>
> Am concerned about how SMS would handle the install. I have no need to
> specify options for the install, which are handled programmatically in the
> install exe. But the install exe must be run directly from the server, which
> then loads the app onto the workstation.
>
> I assume SMS must have some way to specify the working dir for running the
> install exe and that this will serve the same purpose. That is, the install
> exe running thru SMS will believe it is being run from the server where it is
> stored, and be able to obtain info from the server directory in which the
> install exe is stored.
>
> Do I understand that correctly?
>
> Thanks again for the benefit of your experience,
> Mark
>
>
> "Sherry Kissinger [MVP-SMS]" wrote:
>
> > Yes, SMS/ConfigMgr can handle a standard .exe, like setup.exe /q
> > It can also do .bat, .vbs, and of course .msi Basically, if you can run it
> > manually, you can (usually) get ConfigMgr to run it, too. Actually, I've
> > never encountered anything I couldn't do; but sometimes I had to be creative!
> > --
> > Standardize. Simplify. Automate.
> >
> >
> > "Markus" wrote:
> >
> > > Ace,
> > >
> > > Sorry, but MS has so many of these ngs it's hard to find the exact right one
> > > sometimes.
> > >
> > > Yes, I was aware of the utilities, but was hoping SMS can handle a standard
> > > exe that does not have any user interaction required.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Mark
> > >
> > > "Ace Fekay [MVP]" wrote:
> > >
> > > > In news:F2CE3499-22F8-4FF5-8678-94D69344BE18@microsoft.com,
> > > > Markus <Markus@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> > > > > Am new to SMS. To do a client push of an application silently onto
> > > > > workstations using SMS, must I use an MSI package? Can the vendor
> > > > > simply supply an installation exe that requires no user interaction
> > > > > to install the app onto a remote workstation thru SMS?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for any and all ideas,
> > > > >
> > > > > Mark
> > > >
> > > > This post is better suited for the SMS newsgroup. But in summary, if an MSI
> > > > doesn't exist, you can create one. There are numerous utilities available to
> > > > create one.
> > > >
> > > > I cross-posted this response to the microsoft.public.sms.swdist newsgroup.
> > > > Since you are posting from a browser from the Microsoft web community,
> > > > cross-posting is not available, so to make it easier for you, I set
> > > > follow-ups (all the responses) to populate both newsgroups so you can simply
> > > > view the responses here.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Ace
> > > >
> > > > This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> > > > confers no rights.
> > > >
> > > > Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
> > > > MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
> > > > Microsoft Certified Trainer
> > > >
> > > > For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
> > > > check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
> > > >
> > > > Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >