InstallAware

I'm looking at Installaware 2012 RAD Studio because we need to change our in-house application deployment for Windows 7

We need to be able to supply updates and patches from a central repository on demand and make sure they are applied. So far I can create stand alone installers that will overwrite V1 of my test application with V2. I am having problems with patching, and with hosting the updates on the LAN

I would like to host the updates in a folder along the lines of

\\ServerName\Updates\ApplicationName

If I put this in the Monitor URL field then when I try and manually check for updates I get an error that I am not connected to the internet. I'm assuming that it's expecting the files to be on a web server - is there any way to work around that?

Dear Dankell,

Unfortunately Web Media Block and Download File both works over an HTTP protocol only.

I suppose that you have only two possibilities to achieve your needs (no other one comes to my mind ... but probably exist);

- Create a Web site (or probably could be done with Virtual Folder) using IIS and making it accessible over your network
- Copy files command.

Regards

Francesco

That's disappointing

It feels like overkill to have to setup a webserver for just internal application deployment.

You mention using "copy files" - can this be hooked into "Scheduled Updates" which is ultimately the problem that we are trying to solve.

Dear Dankell,

Very probably I was completely wrong ... and Both commands can be used to acces to files from shared folder over a network.

Let me try, I will be back soon.

Regards

Dear Dankell,

As I told you with my previous email ... I was completely wrong!!

Both command works over a lan using the form "\\SERVERNAME\SharedFolder\packageName".

Obviously you must have access rights to shared folder.

Please accept my apologies for any problems that eventually this may have caused.

Regards

Francesco

Thanks for confirming that.

We have tried putting a link in the form below into the Monitor URL field and still get the "not connected to the internet" error even though we have an update.ini and installer.exe in the appropriate place.

We have confirmed that we have access to the folder, and that running the installer directly updates the application.

What else do we need to do?

Dan

Dear Dankell,

I have just shared a folder assigning privileges to everyone ... nothing else of special ... so it strange.

Have you tried to access to this folder from Explorer before to launch your setup? Just to verify if an access verification may be required.

Regards

Francesco

Still not joy. Here is what I am currently doing.

1) Create a simple application in Delphi XE2 (InstallerTest.exe)

2) Create a new installer in Installaware 2012 RAD Studio edition. Add the executable from the Delphi directory and set up all the features.
Product Version set to 1.0
Set Monitor URL \\Server\Updates\Installer Test\updates.ini

3) Save and Build Web Deploy files for Version 1. Open the Output folder and copy the exe to safe location.

4) Check that Version 1 installer exists. Check that Monitored URL exists.

5) Update Installer.exe

6) Return to Installaware. Change Product Version to 1.1. Save

7) Create New Update Pack with URL \\server\updates\installer test\version_11.exe

Add New Application Version for 1.0 and link to Update Pack

9) Save and Build Web Deploy files.

10) Copy Output folders to \\server\updates\installer test\ and rename "Installer test.exe" to "version_11.exe"

11) Run "Installer Test Update" - Fails "Unable to contact update server"

- all files are accessible from the client machine. version_11.exe runs and upgrades the installed version correctly...

I have not touched the Revision Code

Web Media Blocks has an entry http://www.mywebsite.com/Installer Test.7zip is that the problem?

Dear Dankell,

I suspect that exist an User privileges issue ... I have just tested again using my environment.

Please try the following;

- Copy to your server shared folder the updates.ini and the update package (version_11.exe)
- Set as READ ONLY the the updates.ini

Before to execute "Installer Test Update" from your client verify that the server shared folder is really accessible.
If the system requires to authenticate the user, check "Remember me" control in User Credentials dialog.

Then repeat the test launching your exe from the client.

Web Media Blocks has an entry http://www.mywebsite.com/Installer Test.7zip is that the problem?

The above URL cold be a problem if you are really using the Web Media Block. In this case you must replace tha above URL with your SERVER Folder location.

Let me know if you still have problem.

Francesco

Have tried setting the updates.ini as read only and no luck.

There is no need to authenticate to access the folder.

I have also tried to rebuild the installer eliminating the space in the URL and with skipping the Web Media Block - neither of which have an effect.

Dan

Dear Dan,

believe me, I'm not doing anything else to have this working.

Could you try using a call to Download File command to see what happens?
Just create a project from scratch, if you want you can remove everything from you MSI script and then just add a call to Download File.
With the command use the same path to your server shared folder. Then save the file to a folder on your target system.

If you want I can post to you the sample I used ... but for what you told me, seems you done exactly the same.

Let me know.

Regards

Francesco

I'm not sure what you mean by "Download File" I don't have access to the MSI script directly in my edition of Installaware...

Dan

Dear Dan,

You are right! I forgot that the IA edition you are using have that limitation.

Let me see if any other alternative test to try comes to my mind ... even if seems not too much are available.

Regards.

Thanks Francesco

I'm on annual leave for the next week so will have to pick this up after then...

Dear Dan,

ok ... when you will be back try to contact me by email at: [email protected]

I will try to give you the sample I used to see what happens on your side.

Regards