I have been successfully using the Admin Image creator since SW-2006.
SW-2008 was a pain. SolidWorks broke the tool.
SW-09 was a complete rewrite of the Admin tool and works pretty well. SW-2010 is supposed to be even better... but I haven't tried it yet.
The HTML link doesn't work on any network with any kind of security. I run the install from a BAT file.
@echo off
\\YourServer\Img-SW08-32\sldim\sldIM.exe /adminclient /new /source "\\YourServer\Img-SW08-32\AdminDirector.xml"
exit
You may want to include "Run As" if users don't have Admin Privileges.
The first time you run the install the users will have to run the BAT either with an email link or a logon script.
The Admin tool uses MSIs, MHTs, and XML to rollout and update the workstations.
You can copy and change the XML for different types of installations (Core, Pro, eDrawings... etc.)
The key lies in the network Shares.
You MUST Turn-Off the shares to the image on the server when you are doing updates... or shuffle the share name, either works
- Create your image anywhere (local workstation works) in a directory named as it will be on the network share (server?)... ie "img-SW08-32", "img-SW08-64".
- Start with the SP 0.0 from the SolidWorks CD every time. Make sure you add the current SP to the image as you create it. It always take a couple of hours in my experience.
- Create a NEW install for Major Version and an UPGRADE for Service Packs.
- Make sure you put Major Versions in separate directories under "C:\Program Files\" ie: "SolidWorks\2007\", "SolidWorks\2008", "SolidWorks\2009".
- I run a "preinstall.bat" from the XML to check for registry setting and make sure the AV is off, and uninstall old Major Versions.
- I run a "postinstall.bat" from the XML to install 3rd Party Document Control.
- Complete the image.
- Upload to the Server Share location
- Turn the share back on.
If this is a Service Pack it should have the same share name as the previous Service Pack. This will insure that the next time the User starts SolidWorks it will upgrade automagically.
Although I don't recommend it, you can also do the same thing with Major Versions. We prefer to keep the old version running side-by-side with the new.
