Some kind of server ...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Martin Robins
  • Start date Start date
M

Martin Robins

Sorry for the thread heading, I was not sure what to title it!

I have 75 mobile devices that I need to keep synchronised with the latest
versions of software. Currently, I have to upgrade each device individually
using the ActiveSync connection on my desktop and this is a pain.

I am looking for some kind of server that allows multiple devices to connect
and synchronise at the same time; preferably allowing automated software
installations, setting of date and time etc.

Any suggestions?
 
Here is a method that will do the job without having to modify files on the
server or the
cab file for each build, ie, once setup it will work with no on going
mods....

.. Create a cab file with a section that sets a registry key 'Installed'
to value '1'

.. Modify your application so that on startup if it finds a the reg key
'Installed' is '1' then
this indicates an update has been performed, copy contents of reg key
'NewCAB' (string)
to 'CurrentCAB' (string)

.. Create a web service that returns the file time and date of your
applications cab as a single string.

.. In your app, get it to call the web service and get it to compare this
with a registry key
value named 'CurrentCAB', if they differ then use an HTTP Get to
retrieve the cab file
copying it into the "\windows\startup" folder

.. Set the current registry key value 'Installed' to '0'

.. Save the file time/date received from the webservice to either a
registry key named 'NewCAB'

.. Reboot the device from your application which will force the app to be
installed on startup

.. Restart the app, hopefully the new version! It should find the reg key
'Installed' is now set to '1' so
will copy the file time/date string from 'NewCAB' to 'CurrentCAB' and
your app thinks it has the
latest version, or at least the same version as that which is on the
server.

This method allows you to go back/forward in version since it is just based
on file time/date of the cab file.

I'm sure you could do something with RAPI, but there is naff all programming
involved in this method.

Chris
 
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