Overview

[Previous] [Next]

SMS Installer enables you to create customized, self-extracting, software installation files. The SMS Installer-generated executable files let you install software with the SMS package distribution feature. Scripted installation makes installing software easier and less prone to error. The self-extracting executable files contain everything necessary to install the software, including an installation script to control the installation process. The SMS Installer compiler creates the self-extracting files. SMS package distribution is generally used to deliver these files to users. However, these files could certainly be distributed using other methods—for example, by packaging the files on disks, placing them on a Web site, or even attaching them to an e-mail message.

SMS Installer is really more than a developer's tool, and as such it requires intensive study to truly master. The basic process lets you quickly run through an application installation, repackage the application into a script, and distribute it. This basic process is actually quite intuitive and can be learned and accomplished in relatively short order. However, usually you will want something more elegant than a simple repackaging of the script, and to accomplish this you can use one of two tools: the Installation Expert or Script Editor. Using Script Editor requires a higher level of expertise.

It may take several months of practice creating, testing, and modifying scripts using SMS Installer before you feel truly comfortable. Don't let this scare you off. SMS Installer 2.0 is a fine, well thought out, and useful tool for amateur and expert script developers alike. At its high end, however, it is certainly not simple and requires effort and motivation on your part. In this chapter, we focus on the Repackage and Installation Expert components of SMS Installer—the two components that are easiest to master. For more specific information, especially regarding use of Script Editor, refer to the Systems Management Server Administrator's Guide.