Overview of MSI deployments

Deploying the VeriSign MSI packages

Software contained within an msi package can be deployed in the following ways:

Publish software to a user : When software is published to a user, it is made available to the user for installation via the Add/Remove Programs applet in the control panel the next time the user logs in. The user can launch the Add/Remove Program applet, click on Add New Programs and choose to add the published software. This will completely install the software on the user's machine. The user can be a non power user and does not need special privileges to install published software.

Assign software to a user : When software is assigned to a user, it is psuedo-installed the next time the user logs in. This means, the user is given the impression that the software has been installed but is only completely installed the first time the user tries to use the software. This feature provides an install on demand mode of installation. The user can be a non power user and does not need special privileges to completely install assigned software.

Assign software to a machine : When software is assigned to a machine, it is completely installed on the machine when the machine is rebooted. Once installed, the software is available to all users on that machine. 

Launching the msi package : By double clicking the msi package, a user can install the software contained within the msi package. However the user needs to be an administrator on the machine where the installation is being launched in this mode. This mode does not require active directory or group policy support.

Detailed information about deploying MSI packages is available on the Microsoft TechNet.

Requirements

The first three modes of deployment require a Windows 2000 domain with an Active Directory. The administrator of such a domain can specify how the software should be deployed (assigned to user/machine or published) by specifying a group policy. The end user machine where the software is installed must be one of the following :

  1. Windows 2000 (All flavors)
  2. Windows ME
  3. Windows NT SP3 or higher with Desktop update
  4. Windows NT (without or with SP2 or lower) with Windows Installer and Desktop update
  5. Windows 98 with Windows Installer and Desktop update
  6. Windows 95 with Windows Installer and Desktop update
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