Microsoft SoftGrid

[saundersmatt]

Yes that is a list of all our softgrid applications. Remember though that in softgrid terms an "application" is a shortcut installed during setup, so installing a program with 3 shortucts (the program, help and a support url for isntance) would create 3 applications, which are all part of one "package". We have 95 packages on our server at the moment, taking up 17 gig. These are all immediately available to any curriculum workstation (permissions and licensing permitting).

We've had softgrid installed since around october, and all these packages have been sequenced between then and christmas. It really doesn't take too long once you get the hang of it.

 

To create an sequenced application is not vastly different to repackaging an msi. You must install the Softgrid Sequencer on a clean workstation, we use a MS Virtual PC instance with undo disks enabled, for portability and ease of recovery of the sequencer machine.

Launch the sequencer, and input the package/application details. The sequencer will then watch what files are copied when you install the program to the local machine. Once installed, you notify the sequencer where the program was installed and it will copy these to the virtual filesystem. You then configure what is downloaded in feature block 1, which shortcuts you want to be available and what file type associations you want.

Save the file to the content share on the softgrid server and then import the package to the softgrid server management console. Here you can configure concurrent licensing of the application, what users/groups have permissions to run it, which of the available file type associations you want softgrid to map on the local machine and where you want the application shortcuts to appear for users. The softgrid client refreshes this information on login/machine startup.

 

If i've missed anything let me know.

 

Matt

[RobFuller]

I found this very useful for getting the "art" sequencing process right

 

http://www.softgridblog.com/storage/The%20Art%20of%20Sequencing.pdf

[ZeroHour]

Hey saundersmatt,

I have added you to my Spark friends incase your ever on the chat.

Quick question, is the 8 char install dir a big problem? I just keep seeing it as a potential issue the more packages you deploy to a machine.

[stevef1]

Have you tried Thinstall?

Thinstall Application Virtualization2

 

it captures an install (just about any app) to an .exe so you can have a pre configured app that you deploy in whatever way you want (i.e USB, CD Rom, shared folder, web link etc)

Some demos:

Thinstall Product Demos

i have used the demo software and it works great price is around £2000 (downside to everything) but if you think about the IT support hours spent deploying, fixing, configuring software it starts to sound like a saving.

Just my 10pence worth

 

thanks

 

stevef1

[saundersmatt]

Hey saundersmatt,

Quick question, is the 8 char install dir a big problem? I just keep seeing it as a potential issue the more packages you deploy to a machine.

 

It's not a problem at all for us. You just need to think about a naming structure when you start, and then stick to it.

(Plus the 8.3 isn't strictly necessary, it's a "just in case" measure for some dodgy bits of software.)

 

Matt

[ZeroHour]

It's not a problem at all for us. You just need to think about a naming structure when you start, and then stick to it.

(Plus the 8.3 isn't strictly necessary, it's a "just in case" measure for some dodgy bits of software.)

 

Matt

Cheers, can you give me a rough idea how you did it so that I am 100% sure of what you know has worked.

The sequencer crashed on me as well while packaging office 2007 which REALLY sucked as I had to start again.

[saundersmatt]

Create a folder on your softgrid drive (probably Q: ) called something like MSOff07.001 and install everything to there. If you realise the sequence is broke and need to create another then increment 001.

 

Fairly simple really.

 

Matt

[jcs808]

Hello all

 

Just stumbled across this discussion and was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of how much softgrid costs.

 

Thanks

[benIT]

Depends on what MS Agreement you have in place.

 

If you have something like Schools agreement (yearly / 3 yearly) it may be included in your Vista/XP Client license costs - if you have software assurance. I think its about £15 per pc, but this would include your O.S to any version.

 

 

This is from memory so others may correct if wrong...

 

Ben