Software Deployment

It is a feature of 2000&03 can be implemented through group policies either on computers or users.
It is a process of spreading out the software required onto the client machines when a user starts the computer.
With the help of software deployment we can install, uninstall, upgrade, repair and add patches &service packets.
Software deployment is possible only when the software is with .msi extension. (msi – Microsoft Installer)

MSI provides the services like

Installation
Uninstallation
Roll back
Repair over the network.

Software deployment is possible only with .msi or .zap extension.
Using WININSTALLLE 2003 software we can convert *.exe files to *.msi files

Setup.exe file cannot be deployed over the network but can be converted to setup.msi files with the help of the software ‘wininstall le2003’. This is the product of Veritas Company.
Installing wininstall le2003 software

On DC
Open D or E drive
Application folder
Double click on wininstallle.exe
Next – I accept – next
Provide email details – next
Next – next – install – finish.
Phase – I

Converting .exe to .msi (before snap shot)
On DC
Open my computer
Select any drive
Create 2 folders with the names .exe and .msi
And share them with full access
Open D or E drive
Open application folder
Copy acrobat &retina
Paste it in the .exe folder we have created
On DC
Start > p> wininstall le2003
Right click on that
Run discover ok – next
Specify the name of the application (ex. Acrobat)
Click on the dotted tab
Browse .exe folder from my n/w places
Open the folder and name the application (ex. Acrobat.msi)
Open – next - select C drive
Add the drives, which we have
Next – finish
Phase – II

Installation
On DC
Open my computer
Open exe folder we have created
Install acrobat software
In this phase II process comes up to .mxi Phase – III

Performing After snap shot

On DC
In wininstall le
Right click on wininstall le packages
Run discover – ok
Perform after snap shot
Next

P-I P- II, P- III

Scans the system install acrobat changes made after installation

Registry
Software
Available


. mxi .msi

Conversion Process
Phase –I (before snap shot)
In this wininstall le scans the complete system and the register and checks for installed applications. And takes the snap shot of the current condition of the OS.

Phase- II (Installation) :

In this phase we have to install the software, which we want to convert to .msi
Phase – III (After snap shot) :

In this phase wininstall le compares two previous states, before snap shot &installation and takes another snap shot with installation.
Note: Using these three phases the Microsoft software installer can trouble- shoot or deploy the software. Software Deployment

On DC
Open ADUC
Create 2 OUs
Create a user in each OU
Select 1st OU properties
Group policy new
Name the GPO (ex. Deploy)
Edit user configuration
Software settings
Right click s/w installation
New package
Browse the msi s/w from my n/w places
Select .msi
Select publish
Ok

Verification: 

On member server
Login as user we’ve created in OU
Open control panel
We should notice the s/w we’ve deployed
Add/remove program
Ok
Types of deployment

1) Publish
2) Assigned
3) Advanced

1) Publish

If we use publish software will be available in control panel and can be installed when the user wants. (on demand)
2. Assigned

If we select assigned, s/w gets installed on the client machine when a user opens the application for the first time. 3. Advanced:

It is useful when we want to upgrades s/w, install service packs or patches etc…