SOFTWARE DEPLOYMENT
An application software
or utility can be installed on many clients at the same time, in a domain
network, using the power of Group Policy. This process is called ‘Software
Deployment’. The software to be deployed or installed on the clients must have
Microsoft Installer file, that is, .msi file used to install software. In
absence of .msi file, you can create .zap file to deploy the software.
or utility can be installed on many clients at the same time, in a domain
network, using the power of Group Policy. This process is called ‘Software
Deployment’. The software to be deployed or installed on the clients must have
Microsoft Installer file, that is, .msi file used to install software. In
absence of .msi file, you can create .zap file to deploy the software.
The file with extension
.mst is used to make modifications in the already installed software on the
clients. The files of the software to be deployed are copied to a shared
folder. This shared folder is called ‘Software Distribution Point’.
.mst is used to make modifications in the already installed software on the
clients. The files of the software to be deployed are copied to a shared
folder. This shared folder is called ‘Software Distribution Point’.
DEPLOYING OFFICE XP
1. Go to your DC and create a shared folder named as
‘Software’ in any drive.
‘Software’ in any drive.
2. Give the sharing permissions – allow full control to
everyone.
everyone.
3. Insert the CD of MS-Office XP in the CD-ROM drive.
4. Open the CD and copy all the files from the CD to the
folder Software.
folder Software.
5. Open ‘Active Directory users and computers’.
6. Right-click on the domain-name > properties or you
can create an OU and apply Group Policy on it.
can create an OU and apply Group Policy on it.
7. Select Group Policy > New > Up > Edit.
8. Group Policy Object Editor will open.
9. Go to Computer Configuration > software settings
> right-click on software installation > new > package.
> right-click on software installation > new > package.
10. Click on My Network Places > Entire network
> Microsoft Windows Network > Click on the name of your domain > click
on the name of your DC > Software > click on proplus.msi.
> Microsoft Windows Network > Click on the name of your domain > click
on the name of your DC > Software > click on proplus.msi.
11. Click O.K.
12. Close the Group Policy Object Editor.
13. Click Apply & O.K.
14. In the RUN, type
cmd > O.K.
cmd > O.K.
15. Type the command: Gpupdate /force
16. Press Enter and
restart the DC.
restart the DC.
17. When DC has
started, restart the clients which must be member of the domain.
started, restart the clients which must be member of the domain.
18. Office will start
installing on the clients.
installing on the clients.
19. You can similarly
deploy other software like MS-Office 2000 and MS-Office 2003.
deploy other software like MS-Office 2000 and MS-Office 2003.
20. To deploy
MS-Office 2000, click on the data1.msi file.
MS-Office 2000, click on the data1.msi file.
21. If software has
more than one .msi files, don’t get confused. Just right-click on the file >
properties > summary > subject > to know whether file can be used to
deploy the software.
more than one .msi files, don’t get confused. Just right-click on the file >
properties > summary > subject > to know whether file can be used to
deploy the software.
ASSIGNING SOFTWARE
When software is assigned,
it is readily available in the Start Menu of the client PCs and any user can
use it. We assign software to computers. To assign software, during software
deployment, in the Group Policy Object Editor, select Computer Configuration
> Software Settings > Software Installation.
it is readily available in the Start Menu of the client PCs and any user can
use it. We assign software to computers. To assign software, during software
deployment, in the Group Policy Object Editor, select Computer Configuration
> Software Settings > Software Installation.
PUBLISHING SOFTWARE
When a software is
published, it does not come in the Start Menu of the client PC, user has to go
to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add New Programs > Add to
install the software. We publish software to users. To publish software, during
software deployment, in the Group Policy Object Editor, select User Configuration
> Software Settings > Software Installation.
published, it does not come in the Start Menu of the client PC, user has to go
to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add New Programs > Add to
install the software. We publish software to users. To publish software, during
software deployment, in the Group Policy Object Editor, select User Configuration
> Software Settings > Software Installation.
