I am wondering about how to best create my installer, and is looking for
some advice on this from the experienced people on this list.
A bit about the system I am shipping:
Software Requirements
===================
(These will be handled by either a bootstrapper or manually by the
person performing the installation).
1. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 sp1
2. MSMQ
3. Sql Server 2005 Express (as minimum)
4. Microsoft Report Viewer 2008 redistributables
Steps need to be taken before the system is installed and configured.
=====================================================================
1. Several windows services ("server" install only)
- These should be installed and registered
- Exceptions should set up in the firewall
- Write permissions to the installation folder for the NETWORK
SERVICES account
2. A bunch of dlls and exes in addition to the windows services.
- Report files etc.
3. Creating/updating a database on a local database
- Collecting logon information about database
- Alternatively collecting information about where the database is
placed
4. Collecting information about server location
5. Adding/changing/verifying several lines in a xml document.
In addition I need to perform a lot of application configuration, but
these steps is more or less necessary before I am able to begin
configuring the application.
I have created a simple installer that performs step 1 and 2, but now I
am stuck as to the best approach to the rest of the items.
I know I can create a database and run scripts from the installer, but
how does MSI/WiX make sure that the database doesn't already exists?
If it exists, can I prevent running of certain scripts? Or do I have to
handle this in the scripts themselves?
My system consists of several windows services which ideally exists only
on a server. The installation of these services are done, but I need to
point client installations to the server, so they can establish
communication with the services. I know how to create a custom dialog
for entering the name of the server, but how do I write this information
into a xml file, and how do I make sure that the information isn't
already there?
I am considering writing a master configuration application which will
collect all this information and create/update the xml document, but I
realize that this will make silent installs much more difficult.
I would very much like for the installer to perform initial
configuration, like creating/updating/connecting the database and
services. But I am uncertain as to how I do this best.
Thank you in advance,
Thomas Due
Software Developer
Scanvaegt Nordic A/S
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