Automatic Client Update Utility

Software Updates - Web Server Based
Two methods exist for setting up an "Auto-Software Update" system with IndySoft. This system will allow you to automatically distribute new software updates to your end users -- without requiring a new installation on every workstation. This method describes updating your clients via a web server (as opposed to a standard File Server, which is detailed in the next section). The following describes how to set up the update files on the server and the settings on each client workstation.

Setting Up The Web Server

With your IndySoft installation CD, you will have two files in your appropriate installation folder under AutoUpdate. The two files are called IndySoftClient.cab and indyupdate.inf.

These two files are needed in the update process. To use them in a web server situation, copy both files to a shared web directory on your network. Write this http:// address down, as your workstations will need to point to this in the future.

Updating .INF file

Next, you will need to edit the indyupdate.inf file to modify the [file1] setting. You will need to point file1 to the location of the IndySoftClient.cab file. i.e., url=http://yourserver.yourcompany.com/IndyUpdate/IndySoftClient.cab (note, this is normally the same location as the .inf file)

What the IndyUpdate.inf file contains:

[update]

newversion=10.0.0 <-- This is how IndySoft determines if it needs updating. It compares the version of isdashboard.exe to the specified latest version

localversion=isdashboard.exe

[action]

query=A new version of IndySoft was found. Update your workstation now?

IMPORTANT: you must close the IndySoft login screen before proceeding with the update.

[files]

count=1

[file1]

url=http://yourserver.yourcompany.com/IndyUpdate/IndySoftClient.cab <-- The line you must edit to reflect your web-based location of the .CAB file

compressed=1

Adding Web Server-Based Update Support For Each Client

Next, you must open the Auto-Update Settings on each workstation and choose the "Enable Web Update" option, as shown below. Next, you will need to specify the location of the indyupdate.inf file.

Receiving the update

That's all there is to it. Next time a user logs into IndySoft, the software will check for a version update and let the end user know when this update needs to occur. The user will be notified of the installation progress during the upgrade. A standard "Windows installation" is not performed, so no access rights must be given (except to write to the hard drive).

Checking for Updates

To check and see if you have a software update, press the "Check for Updates" button. You will be notified if your software needs updating.

Software Updates - File Server Based
Two methods exist for setting up an "Auto-Software Update" system with IndySoft. This system will allow you to automatically distribute new software updates to your end users -- without requiring a new installation on every workstation. This method describes updating your clients via a standard file server (as opposed to a standard Web Server detailed in the previous section). The following describes how to set up the update files on the server and the settings on each client workstation.

Setting Up The File Server

With your IndySoft installation CD, you will have two files in your appropriate installation folder under AutoUpdate. The two files will be called gageinsite.cab and indyupdate.inf. These two files are needed in the update process. To use them in a file server, copy both files to a shared directory on your network accessible via UNC naming conventions. Write this UNC path down, as your workstations must point to this in the future.

Updating the .INF file

Next, you will need to edit the indyupdate.inf file to modify the [file1] setting. You will need to point file1 to the location of the IndySoftClient.cab file. i.e., url=\yourserver\resource\IndyUpdate\IndySoftClient.cab (note, this is normally the same location as the .inf file)

What the IndyUpdate.inf file contains:

[update]

newversion=10.0.0 <-- This is how IndySoft determines if it needs updating. It compares the version of isdashboard.exe to the specified latest version localversion=isdashboard.exe

[action]

query=A new version of IndySoft was found. Update your workstation now?

IMPORTANT: you must close the IndySoft login screen before proceeding with the update.

[files]

count=1

[file1]

url=\yourserver\resource\IndyUpdate\IndySoftClient.cab <-- The line you must edit to reflect your network location of the .CAB file

compressed=1

Adding File Server Based Update Support For Each Client

Next, you must open the Auto-Update Settings on each workstation and choose the "Enable File Update" option, as shown below. Next, you will need to specify the location of the indyupdate.inf file.

Receiving the update

That's all there is to it. Every time a user logs into IndySoft, the software will check for a version update and let the end user know when this update needs to occur. The user will be notified of the installation progress during the upgrade. A standard "Windows installation" is not performed, so no access rights need to be given (except to write to the hard drive).

Checking for Updates

To check and see if you have a software update, press the "Check for Updates" button. You will be notified if your software needs updating. |