This How-To document is provided as a courtesy to Netopia's customers. Be aware that there is no support from Netopia for this document. The use of WinInstall LE is not condoned by Netopia nor is it supported. Do not use this document unless you are willing to accept full responsibility, without recourse to Netopia, for any consequences incurred from its use. Do not contact Netopia Technical Support with any questions regarding WinInstall LE or this document. If you do encounter any problems with WinInstall LE consult Veritas' support pages for help:
http://support.veritas.com/menu_ddProduct_WINSTALLLE.htm
This document also assumes that you have a high familiarity with netOctopus' Execute PC Installer command. If this is not the case take some time to review pages 157-159 of the netOctopus User's Guide or the following Execute PC Installer How to Guide before proceeding.
Unlike the Mac version of netO, the Windows version does not include a PC version of FileScripter. However, there are many third party applications from various software vendors that do provide this functionality, the ability to take before and after snapshots of your system. One of these is WinInstall LE from Veritas Software. This application is included on the Windows 2000 Server CD. Note that WinInstall LE was designed for and will run on Windows NT/2000 only. This utility from VERITAS Software is able to generate an MSI package with supporting files that can be deployed using the Windows Installer Service. As a result, the Windows Installer Service must be installed on all of the Agent machines that you want to deploy software packaged with WinInstall LE. If the Windows Installer Service is not installed on the Agent machine then it will need to be installed. The latest version of the Windows Installer Service can be downloaded from:
http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/platformsdk/instmsi.htm
Windows 2000 machines already come with the Windows Installer Service installed by default. However, you may have to install the Windows Installer Service on NT 4 Agent machines using the Execute PC Installer command (see figure below). If the file MSIEXEC.EXE is present in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory, then the Windows Installer Service is already installed.
There are no dialog boxes or options to choose from during the installation routine. When the executable for the Windows Installer Service is triggered it simply puts up a progress bar as it is installing. Note that a subsequent reboot is required.
Veritas Software's WinInstall LE can be found on the Windows 2000 Server CD at \VALUEADD\3RDPARTY\MGMT\WINSTLE. A patch can be can be found at:
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/229403.htm
- Install WinInstall LE on an NT machine that already has the Windows Installer Service installed or on a Windows 2000 system.
- Place the \Program Files\VERITAS Software\Winstall folder on a file server and share it.
- Grant the Everyone group read access to this share.
- Create the directory where you want to store the MSI database file and all supporting files for the application you want to install.
- On a "clean" sample machine, connect to the Winstall share and run the DiscoZ.exe program to take a "before" snapshot of your system. Click the Next button. For a more in-depth explanation of what constitutes a "clean" machine, consult the WinInstall LE manual or the Microsoft Technote on using WinInstall LE. The locations of both are referenced at the end of this document.
- Enter a name for the application you are repackaging. Select the folder that you created in step 1 and enter a name for the MSI database file for the application you are installing.
- Select a drive with plenty of space that WinInstall can use to store its temporary work files.
- Select the drive(s) to be monitored for changes. These should be the drive where the OS is installed and the drive where the software will be installed.
- Accept the default files and directories to be excluded from the scan by clicking the Next button.
- After the "before" snapshot has been taken specify the executable for the program you want to install when prompted.
- After installing your software, connect to the Winstall share again and run the DiscoZ.exe file to generate the "after" snapshot.
- Select "Perform the 'After' snapshot now" option and click the Next button. WinInstall LE will then generate an MSI database file along with some supporting files.
- Place the folder containing the MSI database file along with the supporting files on a file server and grant the Everyone group read access to this share. Note the UNC path to this share since you will need it later to deploy the MSI package using Execute PC Installer.
- Use Execute PC Installer to deploy this software package using the Windows Installer Service.
* If you need additional guidance on using Veritas WinInstall LE, please consult the WinInstall LE manual or Microsoft's Technote on its use:
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/229402.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/library/planning/management/veritas.asp
The support page for WinInstall LE can be found at: