Remote Install - MSI Packages Using SMS - Workstation Backup Agent

Table of Contents

Install Requirements

Before You Begin

Install Procedure

Post-Install Considerations

Install Requirements
A Workstation Backup Agent remote install requires that you use either SMS or Active Directory to push the installation out to remote clients. For Active Directory, see Remote Installs - MSI Packages Using Active Directory Group Policies for the step-by-step procedure. For SMS, you will need to set up a batch file that contains the install command string for the component and any desired override property parameters. Remote installs using SMS are run in silent mode, which requires you to specify the install options ahead of time by selecting the default or override property parameters and including them in the batch file. See Rules and Parameters for more information.

For SMS, once you have set up the batch file, it can be run as a scheduled task on remote machines. This procedure will show you how to set up the batch file for silent remote installs using SMS.

Verify that the computer in which you wish to install the software satisfies the minimum requirements specified in System Requirements - Microsoft Workstation Backup Agent.

The following procedure describes the steps involved in installing the Workstation Backup Agent. If you choose to install multiple components simultaneously, refer to the appropriate procedures for installation requirements and steps specific to the component. Do not install ContinuousDataReplicator and Workstation Backup Agent on the same computer.

Review the following Install Requirements before installing the software:

General

  • Review Install Considerations before installing the software.
  • This version of the software is intended to be installed in a CommCell with the latest version of CommServe and MediaAgent(s).
  • Close all applications and disable any programs that run automatically, including anti-virus, screen savers and operating system utilities. Some of the programs, including many anti-virus programs, may be running as a service. Stop and disable such services before you begin. You can re-enable them after the installation.
  • Verify that you have the software installation disc that is appropriate to the destination computer’s operating system.

Rules and Parameters

Before setting up a batch file to be remote installed through SMS, review the rules and parameters listed below to specify the installation options:

Rules:

  • The syntax is PROPERTY="value".
  • The property names must consist of all uppercase letters.
  • The value part of the PROPERTY="value" pair is not case sensitive and should always be enclosed in double quotes.
  • The PROPERTY="value" pairs should not have any white space characters (spaces, tabs) on either side of the "=" character.
  • The PROPERTY="value" pairs should be placed at the end of the command line.
  • If more than one PROPERTY="value" pair is specified, each PROPERTY="value" pair should be separated by at least one space or tab character.

Override Property Parameters:

  • DESTINATION_PATH
    Overrides the default value used for the installation folder, which is <local path>\Program Files\<default software installation path>. Where <local_path> is set by Windows Installer to the path or drive letter containing the Program Files folder. Set this property to either a fully qualified directory or UNC path.

CommServe Host Name

  • Create the szCommServeIPHostName registry key on the client computer and configure with the fully qualified host name of the CommServe computer, prior to installing the software.

    Alternatively, you can also provide the CommServe name when performing the installation from command line. For example:

    WorkstationBackup.msi /qn COMMSERVE_HOSTNAME=<Fully qualified Host Name of the CommServe Computer>

  • If the client computer is behind a firewall, you can configure CommCell communications across the firewall by creating the following registry keys with appropriate values, on the client computer:
  • Optionally, to create Replication Sets upon installation, create the szRepSetPolicyName registry with the appropriate Replication Policy name.
  • If you wish to install Workstation Backup Agent to any instance, create the bAllowMultiInstances registry key with the value set to '1', on the client computer. By default the software installs to instance001.

Agent Specific

For installation using MSI packages on Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package must be manually installed.

Before You Begin

  • Log on to a workstation, as local Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group, that is connected to the clients to be remote installed.

Install Procedure

Getting Started
1. To perform a silent remote install through SMS, set up a batch file that contains the following command strings and any desired override property parameters:

"msiexec.exe" /qn /i "WorkStationBackup.msi"

2. From SMS, run the installation batch file you set up in the previous step. Once the installation has completed, continue on to Post-Install Considerations.

Post-Install Considerations

Remote Install

  • After installing the Workstation Backup Agent, if you set up your install batch file to generate a log of the installation process, you may want to review the log now to make sure that the installs completed successfully.

General

  • Install post-release updates or Service Packs that may have been released after the release of the software. When you are installing a Service Pack, ensure that it is the same version as the one installed in the CommServe Server. Alternatively, you can enable Automatic Updates for quick and easy installation of updates in the CommCell component.

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