Deploying MSI files using GPO via AD

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This customer has a 2000 Server Network with Active Directory to administer
network.
I have been doing some research and cannot find anywhere how to automate
this process (MSI Roll out automation). I have just installed a 2000 Server
and connected the domain with a DotnetFramework app. at a customer.
Two msi need to rolled out all the users autmatically witout any
intervention of installation requests.

What happens is users can access the MSI via a URL and get to install the
DotnetFramework.msi and SmartClient .msi files one after another. A lot of
user interaction is required ie. you are asked to install the DotnetFramework
and then to accept the licence agreement etc. Then after that is installed
the Smart Client MSI runs with more intervention like selecting next etc. and
finished. You then need to reboot. This process can take up to 20 minutes per
users and most users will likely cancel the install halfway through or just
ignore the request in an email to follow the install instruction.

What I found is to Assign the software via GPO (Active directory)and this
will at least make the software available so that when they log on it will
install or when they try to access the program the MSI’s will install. Not
the most ideal way though. Users do not have 20 minutes in the morning to
allocate to this.

The need is to deploy and automate the install process with a type of answer
file or VB script to run the install out of hours so that when users log on
the in the morning they will be able to access the program.
Your input will be appreciated
 
Hi,
The need is to deploy and automate the install process with a type of
answer file or VB script to run the install out of hours so that when
users log on the in the morning they will be able to access the
program.
Click to expand...

It really depends on the software whether this will roll out
automatically. I use Software Installation however, I assign to
Computers rather than Users. I then use a scheduled batch file and the
shutdown command to restart the machines in the middle of the night
and then Software installation installs the software.

However, most of the software I deploy has the ability to add an MST
file which is a customized file that tells the MSI what to do. Eg
accept the agreement etc.

The other way to do this is to do a startup script like a batch file
that calls the install. You can do searches on the software website to
see if there is a way to automate it and what types of switches are
required. You can then do the restart in the middle of the night.

Cheers,
Lara
 
Hi I am trying to deployment some applictions like Office 2003, Frontpage
2003 etc.

I am trying to roll, the packages out across the domain. but assigning the
MSI file to the Computer.

I have created a MST file. but I don't know how to us it. I can go to each
machine and run the command from each users PC. but I would like to do is
deploy the software via the policy so all the user will see is that a package
is being installed. with no user interaction.

so can someone this show me how I can use the MST file. as I can't find no
referance to using it with in AD.

regards

Chris
 
Hi,
I have created a MST file. but I don't know how to us it. [...]
Click to expand...

You can only add the MST at the first time you add the MSI. After
that the dialog will always be greyed out :-(

- delete your actual office MSI
- create a new assigned software but use "extended" not publish or assign.
- than you can add the MST

Mark
 
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