How do I collect installation data and send it to web server

[chakresh]

Using my Installaware installation package how can we collect any installation data(for example:USERNAME, COMPANYNAME, LogonUser, UserIPAddress, etc.) and send it to IIS web server.

In my case I have to send a notification to the IIS web server that whether application client has been successfully upgraded to the latest version or not.This notification will be updated in an existing SQL Server database at the server end.

Is there any place in Installaware where this collected information can be submitted ?
How can we send HTTP request from installaware and update the information at server end ?

Kindly suggest, how I can achieve this using Installaware.

[giaviv]

Hi,

Unfortunately InstallAware does not allow you to send an HTTP request.
I am afraid you would have to come up with an external DLL / plugin for that.

[chakresh]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.
Is there any Installaware plugin available for the same ? If not, can you suggest any other plugin, to achieve this ?


Thanks,
Chakresh

[sinan]

Hey, sorry about this - I apologize for Aviv's incorrect answer here.

You actually can submit information directly from your setup, this is one of our core benefits (gather and collect business intelligence directly from your setup wizards).

Maybe you have noticed that we do this ourselves in the InstallAware setup? Anyways, you use the Download File plug-in for this. For example:

Code: Select all

Download File http://www.installaware.com/setupfinished.asp?state=$SUCCESS$&op=$MODE$&info=$HEAR$ into $SUPPORTDIR$\anonymous.txt

Is exactly the invocation we have in our own setup when collecting data. Hope that helps!

[chakresh]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.
We are already using the Download File command to download the components from the web server for upgrade purpose.
But the requirement here is different.

"In my case I have to send a notification(success/failure) to the host(IIS Server) that whether application client has been successfully upgraded to the latest version or not.This notification will be updated in an existing SQL Server database at the server end.Means I have to upload an information to the server and not download anything in this case"

Please suggest can we achieve this.

[giaviv]

Hi,

It does not matter - the HTTP request will be sent you your server as any other GET request..

[chakresh]

Hi Aviv,

Thanks for the reply.
Can we also send POST request using "Download File" command ?
Please suggest.The reason is that we need to send more than 255 char in the request and GET method has a limit to pass only 255 chars.

Regards,
Chakresh Sharma

[giaviv]

Hi,

I am afraid not, however please consider breaking up the data into more than one GET request instead.

[chakresh]

Hi Aviv,

Is it possible to send HTTPS(secured link which uses a certificate) request, instead of HTTP using the Download File command?
When I was using HTTP in the URL it was working fine, but when I tried with HTTPS, it looks like it is not able to connect with the server. Please help me on this.


Thanks,
Chakresh

[giaviv]

Hi,

I am afraid you cannot. You can, however, use external SSH tools to talk to your server.