Add feature .net framework 3.5 - amongst other things....

[jmak]

Hi

 

I'm getting in a pickle and not quite sure what the best course of action is.....

 

I need to install RM Unify AD Sync Tool on one of our virtual servers. We previously had a single server providing all roles, but have virtualized and now have separate DCs (Primary and backup). It requires the dot net 3.5 framework to run, which we didn't install at the time we built the servers (2012R2). I know I need to add it as a feature, but the required files aren't available locally so I need to get them from the install disk.

 

I started off by playing with the backup DC - seemed like it would be less of an issue to break it I burned a DVD using imgburn to create a disk image. I can see that the folder require is there (Sources/SxS). I faffed around for ages trying to mount it - from what I can see, once you create a virtual DVD drive, you can only mount an iso - which shouldn't be a problem because that's what I think I have, but when I browse to the virtual DVD drive, I see the folder structure and can't mount it.

 

The bizarre thing is that I somehow did mount it yesterday and successfully installed the dot net framework.... Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to repeat the job on the Primary DC

 

One option is to just install the RM Unify software on the secondary DC - does anyone know whether that's a reasonable idea? My understanding was that I should keep the DCs in a domain matching. Another option would be to somehow mount the disk - suggestions on what I'm doing wrong would be helpful, or how to mount a DVD that's not an iso.

[Edu-IT]

One option is to just install the RM Unify software on the secondary DC - does anyone know whether that's a reasonable idea?

For this software, it won't matter.

[computer_expert]

You can copy the Sources\SXS folder to a network share and setting this policy means you don't have to fart around trying to find an ISO/DVD every time. I've used this on a vanilla network, but am unsure if it will work on something like an RM based network.

 

As for installing it manually, there is a link at the bottom of the window (in server manager - just before you click install) that allows you to type a path to the location of the sxs folder. I've usually had good luck trying to open stuff with 7zip. If you can convert the 2012r2 image to an ISO you should be able to double click the iso and server 2012+ should mount it with no extra tools required.

[jmak]

For this software, it won't matter.

 

Think I'll just install it on one for now - it wouldn't be critical in a DR situation and presumably reduces the load on primary DC. Just need to document that it's required

 

You can copy the Sources\SXS folder to a network share and setting this policy means you don't have to fart around trying to find an ISO/DVD every time. I've used this on a vanilla network, but am unsure if it will work on something like an RM based network.

 

As for installing it manually, there is a link at the bottom of the window (in server manager - just before you click install) that allows you to type a path to the location of the sxs folder. I've usually had good luck trying to open stuff with 7zip. If you can convert the 2012r2 image to an ISO you should be able to double click the iso and server 2012+ should mount it with no extra tools required.

 

I was specifying the alternative source, but the install was still failing. As per your suggestion, I copied the folder to a local drive - it didn't like taking it from a network share. Probably something else I need to investigate, but not likely to come to the top of the list very soon. It's now installed successfully.

 

FTR, I have a vanilla network - it's just a couple of RM products that we buy. I'll have a look at setting up that policy - looks like a useful one to implement.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[Steve21]

Don't forget on 2012 you can just double click an ISO and it mounts itself, no drive/disk required. Then point the alternative path to it and it should work no problem

 

Steve

[MatthewL]

Going slightly off topic there is no primary and backup in DC terms these days, that was NT days. Be mindful that users could be connected to either DC if you have anything running from within the NETLOGON folder.

[sted]

I was specifying the alternative source, but the install was still failing. As per your suggestion, I copied the folder to a local drive - it didn't like taking it from a network share. Probably something else I need to investigate, but not likely to come to the top of the list very soon. It's now installed successfully.

unless you were logged on as administrator (not just AN administrator the actual user) i suspect it was just uac so when you pointed it at say s: your user had an s: but administrator diddnt

[jmak]

Don't forget on 2012 you can just double click an ISO and it mounts itself, no drive/disk required. Then point the alternative path to it and it should work no problem

 

Steve

 

When I looked at the properties in file explorer, it said it was a disk image (ISO) but when I tried to mount it, it showed me the contents and couldn't find an ISO. I'm sure I was doing something dim....

[Steve21]

When I looked at the properties in file explorer, it said it was a disk image (ISO) but when I tried to mount it, it showed me the contents and couldn't find an ISO. I'm sure I was doing something dim....

 

"Looking at it" when you double click it automatically mounts it and opens it in explorer You'll have a temporary letter assigned to it if you look in MyComputer

 

Steve

[jmak]

"Looking at it" when you double click it automatically mounts it and opens it in explorer You'll have a temporary letter assigned to it if you look in MyComputer

 

Steve

 

Makes sense. However the reason I looked in explorer was because when I try and mount it either in Hyper v manager or the "media" menu from the virtual machine connection it shows the drive and is looking for an ISO but doesn't find one - it finds the contents.