Deploying Using Active Directory Push

This section describes how to deploy ActivClient using the automated software push capabilities in Microsoft Windows Server Active Directory.

Note: The following procedure is illustrated using Microsoft Windows Server 2008. The steps and interface might vary with newer versions of Microsoft Windows Server. Refer to the Microsoft documentation for further information.

As an administrator you can remotely install ActivClient to a set of users or computers. This dramatically reduces the total cost of ownership of ActivClient because administrators are not required to perform installation in person at every workstation. Users do not require information on how to install the product, thereby eliminating on-site installation support and associated help desk calls.

See Customizing the ActivID ActivClient Setup for instructions on how to create the appropriate MSI package for users before you attempt to deploy ActivClient.

The following table lists the tasks associated with distributing ActivClient in the order they are to be performed and where to find information about each task:

Task Task Description See

1

Create a shared network folder as a distribution point.

Create a Distribution Point

2

Limit deployment to a predefined user population.

Using Active Directory Group Policy Objects on Microsoft Windows Server

3

Distribute a package containing ActivClient to computers.

Assign a Package

4

Test the package.

Test a Package

5

Redeploy a package.

Redeploy a Package

Create a Distribution Point

  1. Log on to the server computer as an administrator.

  1. Create a shared network folder in which to place an ActivClient .msi file for each ActivClient edition to be deployed.

  2. Set permissions on the shared network folder to allow access to the distribution point.

  3. Copy ActivID ActivClient x64 7.4.1.msi file to the distribution point.

Assign a Package

The package to be deployed must be assigned to a group of computers (an Active Directory Organizational Unit, or OU) on which the package is to be installed.

Computers with 64-bit operating systems must be with ActivClient 7.4.1 64-bit. For deployment, follow these steps:

  1. On the domain controller, start the Server Manager, and expand the Features node.

  1. In the Group Policy Management node, expand Forest and Domains and then select the domain containing the organizational unit(s) to which you want to deploy ActivClient.

  2. Depending on the scope of the deployment, right-click on the domain or OU and select Create a GPO in this domain and Link it here (or edit an existing GPO).

  3. In the Group Policy Management Editor, expand Computer Configuration, then Policies and then Software Settings.

    Graphical user interface, text, application, email Description automatically generated

  1. Right-click on Software Installation point to New, and select Package.

  2. In the Open dialog box, in the File name field, enter the full Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path to the shared folder that contains the MSI package you want to deploy.

Note:

  • Do not browse to the location. Make sure that you use the UNC path to the shared folder.

  • It is mandatory that the package is assigned to a computer, as opposed to assigning it to a user.

  1. Select the package and click Open.

  1. Select Assigned and click OK.

    Graphical user interface, text, application, email Description automatically generated

    The package is listed in the right pane of the Software installation window.

  1. Close the console window.

    When the client computer starts, the managed software package is automatically installed.

Test a Package

To validate the package, you can force package installation on a computer from the target Organizational Unit (OU) and verify that the installation has completed successfully. To do so:

  1. Log on to a computer that is part of the target OU.

  1. From the Start menu, point to Settings, and select Control Panel.

  2. Double-click Programs and Features, and then click Install a Program from the Network.

  3. Select the ActivClient edition that you published, then click Add.

    The package is validated as ActivClient is installed.

  1. Click OK, and then click Close.

    Note: If an error 1274 (Group Policy installation failed) occurs, go to the settings in a GPO, Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon, and then Enable the policy Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon.

Redeploy a Package

In some cases, you might want to redeploy a package. For example, you can use the redeploy function to upgrade to a more recent version.

Use the following procedure to redeploy a package:

  1. In the Group Policy Management Editor, return to the Software installation container that you created above.

  1. Right--click the package, point to All Tasks, and select Redeploy application.

  2. When prompted to accept that the application will be installed everywhere it is already installed, click Yes.

  3. Close the console window.