[sims] Deployment of FMS

[Irazmus]

In the next few weeks I'm planning on reimaging all our office/admin machines. Because I'm lazy I'm looking to install all apps via a scripted RIS install.

 

I've got most apps sorted, including SIMS.Net, the only one left is FMS, so I'm looking for a list of commandline switches for the FMS installer.

 

I've searched Capita's support site but they only have info on SIMS installers. I've also contacted the local SIMS support team but they have no info either.

 

Has anyone found such info before, or am I going to have to kludge it using AutoIT?

[psydii]

Looking forward hearing how you resolved this...

[Irazmus]

So am I

[Ric_]

How many machines need FMS? Surely it would be just as quick to do the PITAS FMS install manually on a couple of machines?

[bossman]

Hehe!! like a gutsy man who is willing to take chances but i would like to add this: as other members have pointed out it would be quicker to install manually until a slightly later date as FMS application will become fully integrated with Sims.net. Playing with fire springs to mind. Which version are you hoping to install from RIS. I have a v6.78.1.0 MSI which might work with all extras. You might have to adapt for your Sims server as i am CC3 fully integrated single platform. have not got any scripts I just belt it out using package managment tools or you may use a GPO for those workstations in the admin OU just for now. 30Mb filesize:

[Irazmus]

@Ric_ 6

And I agree it'll probably be as quick to do it manually, but I'd much rather script it if I can, but with only 2 weeks left and a pile of other things to do I doubt I can justify the time to automate it (this time )

 

@bossman 6.78 is the only version I have a full installer for, so it'd be that. I've considered the MSI route, but with my history of botched MSI's I think it'd be safer to AutoIt, but thanks for the offer.

[tosca925]

We are planning on putting 16 new pcs in admin areas, so new installs of sims etc

 

 

notlooking forward to it, especially as the guy who looks after SiMS is a muppett

[GrumbleDook]

I now have visions of Capita manning their helpdesk with Gonzo the Great and Fozzie Bear ...

[tosca925]

Well the Swedish chef works here but has changed career to I.T

[psydii]

The current PITA install requires that one repatches the sims\setups folder after each deployment as it rolls the installer version back.

 

We're deploying to all faculties to allow them to easily track their expenditure.

 

It would be nice to be able to wrap it in a msi or scripted install. I don't believe there is any danger of it braking the data, provided all the sqlanywhere settings are correct on the client.

 

I've found the capita team to be quite good on understanding the FMS install process, once we'd optimised the chain of support from:

localtechie->leateam->capita helpdeskmonkey->capitaFMS guru->helpdeskmonkey>leateam->localtechie

to

localtechie<->capitaFMSGuru

 

[apeo]

Just a shot in the dark but has anyone tried the /s switch, looking at the convention Capita has been using for other installs it should follow that if there is a quitemode install /s would be it

[Irazmus]

@apeo: I think I did try that without success, but I'll give it a try when I get a minute incase I imagined it

 

EDIT: Nope, doesn't work >_<

[ChrisH]

Does it need some kind of answerfile like an install shield silent install?

[apeo]

@Irazmus: Worth a shot, shame it didnt work tho.

[ajbritton]

I wrestled with this one for a while but ended up making an MSI. I did not make much use of it though and it's 6.76. I had a quick look at it and the bulk of the files are the BDE.

[TheScarfedOne]

FMS installers seem to obey the same rules as the main SIMS.net ones. I will post up what we do later on (gotta go and find it again... not played with it since scratching my head over it in the summer!)

[nLinked]

5 years later, is there now an official silent way to deploy FMS updates?

[Ghostgame]

@Irazmus Why not use SOLUS3 to put the SIMS and FMS applications on the machines once they have been imaged?

 

5 years later, is there now an official silent way to deploy FMS updates?

 

SOLUS3 I guess.

Its not totally silent (prombt box comes up letting the person know its gonna happen) but you can deploy out of hours.

[matt40k]

Alan Low @ Capita wrote the document for silent installs for SIMS and FMS. It's on SupportNet - pretty sure it's a sticky too. Like GhostGame said, use SOLUS3, otherwise you'll be messing round getting the files, then doing a million and a half updating the package every time Capita makes some change.

[scebe427]

Alan Low @ Capita wrote the document for silent installs for SIMS and FMS. It's on SupportNet - pretty sure it's a sticky too. Like GhostGame said, use SOLUS3, otherwise you'll be messing round getting the files, then doing a million and a half updating the package every time Capita makes some change.

 

Formerly @ Capita I may add