[sims] Deployment of SIMs

[tomscaper]

we use a batch file on start up to install sims.

 

if exist "c:\program files\sims\installed1" goto :eof ELSE

@echo off

net use q: \\servername\

q:

cls

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.**************Installing Sims Please wait for wait for*************************

echo.***************this screen to close before continuing**************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

 

q:\servername\SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe -a {QuietMode}

 

q:\servername\SIMSapplicationsetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

q:\servername\SIMSMAnualSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerManuals} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

q:\servername\SIMSAMPARKSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

md "c:\program files\sims\installed1"

 

xcopy q:\sims\connect.ini "c:\program files\sims\sims .net\" /h /y

net use q: /d /y

 

change "servername" to where ever the sims exe files are. and change "K:\sims\" to the drive mapped to access sims. i found i needed the extra "\" at the end becuase it kept asking for the connect.ini location.

 

if anyone has an easier way of doing this let me know.

[MkII]

Thanks for posting that Tom.

 

Do your machines update ok after installing in this way? My method is very similar - but simsload doesn't upgrade the machines. Not _so_ bad as we run the install again when we want the upgrade installing - so speeding things up a bit for staff.

 

(I script the sims user group addition to the power user group as well.)

[tomscaper]

well ours did upgrade on the newer version as the shortcut staff use have the simsload.exe in it. since the last update it looks like it isnt updating automatically i dont know why though, i wrote a batch file to look for the "c:\program files\sims\installed1" folder that i told my batch file to create and delete it so that next time the computer restart it just installs sims again but with the newer and updated exe files.

 

It is a long winded way to go but i havnt been able to figure any other way to make this easier.

 

im not sure about altering the sims users groups to be honest it was already set up and i just had to work around to get it all working properly.

[fooby]

@echo off
rem check for sims folder, we dont really need this check anyway
if exist "c:\program files\sims" goto :itsthere ELSE
:inst
rem map a lovely drive
net use q: \\tcc-admin\f\public\sims
q:
cls
echo.*******************************************************************
echo.*******************************************************************
echo.***************** Installing SIMS.net... Please wait for **********
echo.***************** this screen to close before continuing **********
echo.*******************************************************************
echo.*******************************************************************
rem run setups
rem i havent actually added the code to delete the sims folder, butits easy

rem this should do it, maybe need the /s switch though
del "c:\program files\sims\sims.net"

q:\setups\SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe -a {QuietMode}
q:\setups\SIMSapplicationsetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="F:\public\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
q:\setups\SIMSMAnualSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerManuals} [sIMSDirectory]="F:\public\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net" 
q:\setups\SIMSAMPARKSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="F:\public\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
xcopy q:\connect.ini "c:\program files\sims\sims .net\" /h /y
rem run permissions fixer
call q:\simsperm.bat tcc-nt4\staff

goto :end
:itsthere
echo.*******************************************************************
echo.******************************************************************* 
echo.************** SIMS.net appears to be already installed *********** 
echo.**************** Press Y to delete and reinstall this *************
echo.******************************************************************* 
echo.******************************************************************* 
echo.
choice /C YN /M "Press Y to delete and re-install SIMS.net, or N to cancel this installer."
if errorlevel 2 goto :end
if errorlevel 1 goto :inst
rem choice was copied from windows server 2003  box here.

:end
echo SIMS.net installation cancelled.

net use q: /d /y

 

 

I hacked about with your cmd script and came up with this. This would not be logon / startup scripted and would be used to reinstall at the computers console while you are stood there.

 

fooby

 

P.S Simsperm.bat needs to be run from your sims server with the working directory set there, the file contains this.

 

SIMSPerm.bat is called in my cmd script with the variable for my staff group here "tcc-nt4\staff" this would be different if your domain was "cheese" and the user group called "ham"... ie "cheese\ham"

 

@echo off

if "%1" == "" goto :usage

SubInAcl /FILE "%WINDIR%\SIMS.INI" /GRANT=%1=F

SubInAcl /KEYREG HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes /GRANT=%1
SubInAcl /KEYREG HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID /GRANT=%1
SubInAcl /KEYREG HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface /GRANT=%1
SubInAcl /KEYREG HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib /GRANT=%1

if "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%" == "" goto :skip_simsapps
SubInAcl /FILE "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\SIMS Applications\*.*" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /FILE "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\SIMS Applications" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /SUBDIRECTORIES "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\SIMS Applications\*.*" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /SUBDIRECTORIES "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\SIMS Applications" /GRANT=%1=F
goto :after_profile_warning

:skip_simsapps
echo. 
echo ** WARNING: The Environment Variable for All Users Profiles is not set on this pc,
echo **  cannot grant permissions for the SIMS Applications Program Folder.
echo.


:after_profile_warning


if "%ProgramFiles%" == "" goto :skip_simsdir
SubInAcl /FILE "%ProgramFiles%\SIMS\*.*" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /FILE "%ProgramFiles%\SIMS" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /SUBDIRECTORIES "%ProgramFiles%\SIMS\*.*" /GRANT=%1=F
SubInAcl /SUBDIRECTORIES "%ProgramFiles%\SIMS" /GRANT=%1=F
goto :after_simsdir_warning

:skip_simsdir
echo. 
echo ** WARNING: The Environment Variable for the Program Files Folder is not set on this pc,
echo **  cannot grant permissions to the SIMS Application Folder.
echo.


:after_simsdir_warning
goto :end

:usage
echo.
echo "Usage simsperm [domain]\  or   simsperm [domain]\"
echo.
:end

[tomscaper]

thanks for that i will have a look in to it.

 

the only problem i have had with running the script is as its a silent install nothing happen on start up so i have had a few teacher turn there laptops off thinking it was crashed.

 

For some reason the echo command doesnt actually show when you run it as a start up script.

 

is there a way of making this show or is this set somewhere else.

[tomscaper]

been working on a AutoIT script for deploying sims if you look in the script part of the forum there was a discussion. so if anyone is interested in the script it is up there or send me a message if you have any trouble.

[MarkM]

I've done my own AutoIt script which I'm hoping to test soon. If it's OK and anyone is interested then I'll post it. It's designed to be used as a GP assigned Startup Script and does the following...

 

- Check for SIMS already installed. If not, then install SIMS (including running SIMSPERM.BAT)

- Modify the SIMS.NET shortcut so that it just calls Pulsar.exe

- Runs SIMSLOAD.EXE

 

All the SIMS components (SIMSInfrastructureSetup, SIMSApplicationSetup & SIMSManualSetup) run silently but a simple progress bar is displayed to show the user that something is happening.

 

I realise it has been a while since this was posted, but did you manage to get anywhere with this script?

[ajbritton]

I have attached the script in it's present form. It's far from perfect.

 

The configuration is stored in the INI file. The script contains a rudimentary GUI for modifying the settings. To access the GUI, run the script, answer 'NO' when asked if you want to run the script (!) then say 'YES' when asked if you want to configure it.

 

To make the script run silently and do it's stuff, you need to add a command line parameter of '/s' or '/q' or '/silent' or '/quiet'.

 

PS - My first go at GUI in AutoIT so it's not pretty.

ssi.7z

[MarkM]

Thanks for that, i shall have a look at my earliest opportunity.

[Ravening_Wolf]

I have had a go with the bat file documented above (I have modified it to suit my system setup) and it seems to run perfectly well when logged on. I have now added the bat to a GPO object to run at system shutdown but nothing happens - any ideas anyone?

[techyphil]

We cant RUN SIMSINST.exe - it comes up with an error message and therefore cant install SIMS.

 

It cant call the other applications or write any ini files.

 

So ive suggested we manually install it. I was told its a bad idea as we dunt know what SIMSINST does. I assume its simply a front end to set the directories then runs each application seperately with the peramater on the end.

 

Is that right?

 

In which case I suggested we install sims manually untill the SIMS ppl fix our little problem. We can still upgrade and everything just not install.

 

So would

f exist "c:\program files\sims\installed1" goto :eof ELSE

@echo off

net use q: \\servername\

q:

cls

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.**************Installing Sims Please wait for wait for*************************

echo.***************this screen to close before continuing**************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

echo.*******************************************************************************

 

q:\servername\SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe -a {QuietMode}

 

q:\servername\SIMSapplicationsetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

q:\servername\SIMSMAnualSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerManuals} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

q:\servername\SIMSAMPARKSetup.exe /s {QuietMode} {NoServerApps} [sIMSDirectory]="K:\SIMS\" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"

 

md "c:\program files\sims\installed1"

 

xcopy q:\sims\connect.ini "c:\program files\sims\sims .net\" /h /y

net use q: /d /y

 

With my settings do exactily the same as the SIMSINST.exe file?

 

Cheers

[cookie_monster]

I was browsing through this thread and it looks like no satisfactory way of automatically deploying SIMS was found am i correct?

[Ravening_Wolf]

I was browsing through this thread and it looks like no satisfactory way of automatically deploying SIMS was found am i correct?

 

That's right - probably the main reason I hate this system...

[NetworkGeezer]

I have had a go with the bat file documented above (I have modified it to suit my system setup) and it seems to run perfectly well when logged on. I have now added the bat to a GPO object to run at system shutdown but nothing happens - any ideas anyone?

 

Startup/Shutdown scripts run in the local SYSTEM context. You have to put the domain accounts of the target computers in a security group with access to the S: drive (SIMS share).

[techyphil]

Hey guys,

 

Sorry to open this topic up again.

 

Our SIMS support guy has been working on our problem whereby the SIMSINST.exe cant write to the shared application drive. It errors... same error as people have received using Vista with UAC ON.

 

Its now been 3 months and the guy still hasnt figured it out. Meanwhile ive suggested we manually install it to him as more and more staff cant use sims.

 

Im tempted to go down the route of using one of your bat idea's but am aware that it doesnt always goto plan.

 

How do you install sims normally? and with these unattended scripts you've written - do they update correctly?

 

Theres mixed opinions atm...

 

thanks for all your help Cheers

[DMcCoy]

The sims installer copies files to the sims share as part of the install. Can the logged in user installing sims have the drive mapped and is able to write to it?

[techyphil]

Hi,

 

Yes, its cropped up on every machine. Any new machines we get, we are unable to install it. The SIMSINST doesnt run on the server either. We have took all the permissions out and set them back up again. Still no luck.

 

What files does it copy? As when I set "Install SIMS applications inthe shared directory" to c:\SIMS - it simply outputs a SimsInst cfg file.

 

I havent let it run all the way through as im worried it might effect it all.

 

Cheers

[fooby]

Initially we installed sims and configured its auto update ini.

 

After cloning all the pc's when there is an update they all selfupdate.

 

They need write access to the sims drive letter (ours is F) as the user they are logged on as. i.e the staff group needs write access.

 

After this, there are no problems

 

fooby

 

p.s The flip side is, how many computers are there that you need to install it on? Surely a semi automatic install isnt a big problem. Just send a tech round to do it all?

[techyphil]

Yeah ok,

 

So you think that I could run some of the scripts mentioned here. Then cfg the update.ini file which is located?

[fooby]

We don't even use any scripts to install it. Its mostly automatic.

 

f:\public\sims\setups\simsinst.exe (your path may be different)

 

Choose next, next, next etc

 

Run SIMS.net, configure for connect.ini on f:\public\sims\connect.ini

 

Done.

[fooby]

We don't even use any scripts to install it. Its mostly automatic.

 

f:\public\sims\setups\simsinst.exe (your path may be different)

 

Choose next, next, next etc

 

Run SIMS.net, configure for connect.ini on f:\public\sims\connect.ini

 

Done.

 

As you say in your post, simsinst has a problem. Surely thats a job for scomis / lea support? and if desperate capita?

[techyphil]

OK ive installed it using the batch files you guys have compiled and its working!11 woo...

 

I cant test it to see if updates still work but so far so good. Infact its worked out better in that you dont have to locate the connect.ini.

 

Cant test for updates yet but i'll find out.

 

Cheers again

[PhilNeal]

I'm really concerned to read that you guys are having upgrade difficulties. Upgrades really should not be a problem - if you are having difficulties then please let me know and I will ensure that you get a call from our Bedford helpdesk so that we can sort it out. [email protected]

[eejit]

Phil wouldn't it be much better to list the solutions here - there are plenty of questions/problems. At least then the solutions would be available to all.

[PhilNeal]

I'm more than happy to do that although I assume that people have tried to get help and our answers have failed? Just in case people don't know our support site does have a solution search that is available to everyone.