Creating InstallShield software packages

This topic describes how to use the InstallShield Package wizard in IBM Director.

Use this wizard to import the software and build a software package for an application that uses InstallShield Professional as its installation program. You can create packages for software that uses InstallShield Professional 5, 6, or 7 for Windows. InstallShield Professional requires a response file during installation to allow and perform an unattended installation. You can create a response file either by recording an installation or by using an editor. Note that you can distribute a software package that is created with this wizard to managed systems running Windows only.

Most applications do not indicate anywhere in the documentation that they use InstallShield Professional as their installation program. To determine whether an application uses InstallShield Professional, start the installation EXE file (usually setup.exe). When the first window opens (which is the standard InstallShield Setup window), minimize that window; then, right-click the taskbar, and click About.

If you see the word InstallShield in this window, use the InstallShield Package wizard in the Software Distribution task to build a software package.

Next, determine whether a response file is included with the software that you want to distribute. To determine whether a response file is included with the software for which you want to build a package, search for an ISS file (typically setup.iss). The response file is plain-text format so that you can edit the response file for use in your specific environment. If a response file is included, you must test the response file to make sure that it can be used to install the software on each managed-system type you intend to use it with, and that any customizations that you make are correct. If no response file is included, you must create a response file and test it.

註: Many software products are not designed for unattended installation, although InstallShield provides the capability. Contact the product vendor if the software does not support unattended installation.
If no response file is included, record one by using the installation command for the software, typically setup.exe or install.exe. For example:
setup -r -f1x:\response_filename.iss -f2logfile

where:

When the installation command runs, you are prompted for required information. The responses that you provide must reflect how you want the application to be installed on the managed system. For more information about response files, go to http://www.InstallShield.com.

When you build the response file, you also install the software locally. Before you can test the response file, you must uninstall the software. After you uninstall the software, test the recorded response file or the response file that is included with the software. Type the following command:
setup -s -f1x:\response_filename.iss -f2logfile

where:

When the command is completed, check the system log file. If the software was installed successfully, the result code is 0. If the software was not installed successfully, you cannot distribute it by using IBM Director.

Complete the following steps to import the software and create a software package:

  1. In the IBM Director Console Tasks pane, double-click the Software Distribution task.
  2. In the Software Distribution Manager window, expand the Wizards tree. Double-click InstallShield Package.
  3. In the InstallShield Package wizard, specify whether the files are on the local management console or on the management server by clicking the applicable button. Then, type the location of the setup program and the response file in the applicable fields, or click Browse to locate the setup program or response file. Click Next.
  4. In the Package Name field, the package name is filled in automatically. If you want to use a different name, type the package name.
  5. (Optional) Specify additional command-line parameters that are specific to the application that you are importing by typing the applicable command-line parameters.
  6. (Optional) To install the software under a different user name and password, click Advanced. Type the applicable information and click OK.
  7. Click Finish. Individual software packages are displayed under the All Software Distribution Packages category.

You can distribute the software package now or schedule a later time for distribution.

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