Pentagon Systems

Software Distribution Client

The Simple way to install software.

Overview

How Do I...

Configure the Distribution Client

Install or Upgrade Software

View Installed Software

Delete Installed Software

Push a Distribution Job

Remotely Configure the Distribution Client


Distribution Client Overview

The Software Distribution Client (SDC) is used to install and delete Distribution Jobs onto a workstation.  The main screen will list all the software that is available on a defined Distribution Server.  From this point, the user can install any software that he has access to.

There are four main functions performed by the SDC:

1 	Install or Upgrade Software

2.	View Installed Software

3.	Delete Installed Software

4.	Push a Distribution Job


Configure the Distribution Client

The Software Distribution Client providesa list of all software available on a defined Distribution Server. You must configure the Software Distribution Client to be able to access this list.

To configure the Distribution Client:

1.	Click Configuration  from the Options menu.

The Distribution Server Configuration dialogue box appears.

2.	Enter the Distribution Server.

This is the Network Share of Network Server and Drive.  Please contact your administrator for this information.

3.	Click OK.

The Distribution Client will connect to the specified server and display the available software. The current Distribution Server is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

If the Distribution Server is not found:

1.	The Distribution Server is down. The Distribution Server status line at the bottom of the screen will indicate the server is unavailable.

2.	The network share or drive is not available.

3.	You do not have Read access to the Distribution Server.

4.	The Distribution Server has not been properly configured by the Administrator.

5.	There is no software available for installation.


Install/Upgrade Software

Pentagon System's Software Distribution Client allowsyou to install or upgrade software at your convenience.

To install software:

1.	Select the application you want to install listed under Available Software.

2.	Click OK.

A dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm the installation.

3.	Click Yes to continue with the installation.

A status window appears showing the progress of the installation.

4.	Click No if you do not want to continue with the installation.


View Installed Software

The Software Distribution Client maintainsa list of software that was installed on your system using this distribution package. You can easily view this list at any time.

To view installed software:

1.	Click Options, Installed Software.

All the installed software is displayed in the Distribution Jobs Installed windows.

2.	Click OK.

This returns you  to the Software Distribution Client dialog box.


Delete Installed Software

The Softwaer Distribution Client allows you to cleanly remove software from your system at any time.

To delete installed software:

1.	Click Options, Installed Software.

All the installed software is displayed in the Distribution Jobs Installed windows.

2.	Select the software to be Deleted.

3.	Click Delete.

A dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion.

4.	Click Yes to continue with the deletion.

The progress of the  software deletion will be displayed in the Progress dialogue box.


Push a Distribution Job

The Distribution Client operates can operate in Pull Mode or Push Mode.  The mode is automatically determined when the program is launched.

1.	Pull Mode

When the Distribution Client is launched without any parameters, it functions in Pull Mode where the user must select a Distribution Job from the list and initiate the software installation.

2.	Push Mode

If the appropriate parameters are added to the command line, the Distribution Client will operate in Push Mode.  This allows Administrators to install software on workstation automatically by activating the Distribution Client through network Log-In scripts or network management tools.

Parameter necessary to Push a Distribution Job:

/Push	This parameter is required to set the distribution mode.

/Netpath=	This defines the Distribution Server that will be connected to.  The Distribution Server is an alias for a Network Share or Network Server, volume and drive.

/Job=	This is the Job Code of the software to be installed.

Examples

SDC32.EXE /Push /Netpath=\\Server1\Pentagon /Job=2514

This will force job 2514 from the Distribution Server \\Server1\Pentagon onto the workstation.

SDCIENT.EXE /Push /NetPath= [server1:driveC\pentagon] /Job:2222

This forces job 2222 from the Distribution Server [server1;driveC\pentagon] onto the workstation.


Remotely Configure the Distribution Client

Administrators can automatically configure the Distribution Client.  When launched, the application will look for file C:\PENTAGON\SDS\SDSINIT.INI.  If this file is located, it will read the file and configure the Distribution Client automatically.

To Remotely Configure the Distribution Client:

1.	Create SDSINIT.INI.

The contents of the file must be:

[SDS INIT]

NETWORK_PATH=

Set the Network Path to the desired Distribution Server.  The Distribution Server is the Network Share in Microsoft networks or the Network Drive in Novel networks.

2.	Save SDSINIT.INI.

Copy this file the C:\PENTAGON\SDS on the workstation.


The Software Distribution Client lists the software that is available on a Distriubiton Server.  It allows the user to install or delete software at their convenience.


The Available Software List displays all the applications that can be automatically installed from a Distribution Server.


A Distribution Server is a network file share or network drive designated as a Distribution Job repository.  It is created and managed using the Software Distribution Manager.  All Distribution Job specifications and files are located on a Distribution Server.