A complex application installation requires sophisticated scripting rules and installation methods. Some applications require complex rule sets like comparing directory structure before performing specific tasks, multiple Gestalt conditions, archive freshening, and etc… Combining netOctopus software distribution with third party installer packages enables complex and sophisticated installs. netOctopus can be used to distribute other software packages created by third party installers such as Installer Observer, MindVision Installer Vise and Aladdin InstallerMaker. netOctopus can install an alias that will call on the installer package from a server share. Following you will find solutions using various third party installers:

Using MindVision Installer Vise 7.x

http://www.mindvision.com

• Create a software distribution package.
• Make sure to set the "Suppress MainWindow, Progress Stop and Success" options in the "Installer Settings" dialog, found under the "Archive" menu (see picture below).

  

For 4.x Agents

• Select "Execute Macintosh Installer" from the Commands Menu.
• Select the Mind Vision Installer that you created
• Select Install and Launch if the file is local on teh Administrator's machine or select Launch from Server if the Installer is on a network share

For 3.6.x Agents

• Put the installer onto the servers and make sure that Guest access is turned on for this server share.
• Make an alias of the Installer.
• Install those alias(es) on the appropriate clients by holding down the Command Key while dragging the Alias to the "InstallerDialog" with the "Install" command, and have netOctopus open it automatically.
• The installer will automatically be launched.
• After the installation is complete, do a Find File to locate the Alias and then delete it.

Using Aladdin InstallerMaker 6.5.1

http://www.aladdinsys.com

• Create a software distribution package.
• Make sure that you have checked "Install with zero user interaction" in the "Warning Dialogs & Misc." dialog (Options menu).
• Put the installer onto the servers and make sure that Guest access is turned on for this server share.
• Make an alias of the Installer.
• Install those alias(es) on the appropriate clients by holding down the Command key while dragging the Alias to the "InstallerDialog" with the "Install" command, and have netOctopus open it automatically.
• The installer will automatically be launched.
• After the installation is complete, do a Find File to locate the Alias and then delete it.

Staging server

To use staging servers, copy the installer onto a staging server. Make an Alias of the appropriate files as
described above for each staging server. Install the Aliases to the appropriate clients

Another way to trigger the Installer

If you do not want to give Guest access to the server share from which you want to run the installation, you can
also create an AppleScript that mounts the server, runs the installation, and then unmounts the server. You can
use netOctopus to execute this AppleScript remotely. A typical AppleScript would look like the following:

property xServerVolume : "My Server Volume"

property xServer : "My Server"

property xAppleTalkZone : "My AppleTalk Zone"

property xUsername : "My username" -- for guest access leave blank

property xPassword : "My password" -- for guest access leave blank

property xAppPath : ":My path to installer:" -- has to be at least one :

property xAppName : "My Installer" -- name of the installer app

mount volume xServerVolume on server xServer in AppleTalk zone xAppleTalkZone as user name xUsername with password xPassword

tell application "Finder"

open file (xServerVolume & xAppPath & xAppName)

put away disk xServerVolume

end tell

This is an example of the Applescript. You need to replace the properties with the correct names and paths for your installers.