Packages
The following information is the description of the Configuration Management packages and their purpose and flow.
Each installation package stored in the Configuration Management Points is listed in Configuration Management. The packages are divided into two types of packages: Computer and User packages. Mobile device applications are listed separately under Device Applications. Further organization of the packages can be done by creating custom Folders.
CapaInstaller distributes each of these packages as required to the various clients, where they are then installed. You will use Configuration Management to control which packages should run on which computers. You might assign packages to run on all computers, on specific individual computers, or assign them to entire groups at once.
To help you organize the various computers in your organization, Configuration Management enables you to establish groups manually by collecting computers that you know will require similar installations. You can also set up dynamic computer groups whose membership depends on hardware requirements, existing software and/or other criteria such as Active Directory membership. Adding a package to such a group will cause the package to be installed on all the unit members of the group.
Configuration Management enables you to track which packages have run where and to control the status of packages assigned to run on any computer. Units can be dragged and dropped onto specific packages in order to make them run the package.
- Computer packages
- User packages
Package Types
| Element | Description |
| Computer Packages | These are run on selected computers and are independent of users, so all users on the affected computers will be able to see and use the installed software. They are installed using a user account with full access to the computer, but cannot access individual user settings (such as those in under HKEY_CURRENT_USER in the Windows Registry). The Computer Packages node shown in Configuration Management contains both the computer packages generated by the CapaInstaller Package Creator and the default inventory packages. |
| User Packages | These are run for specific users and can run again on any computer where the specified users log in. They usually do not install software, but instead, make configuration and preference settings. They are run under the associated user’s account and therefore may not have full access to the computer, but they will have access to HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry entries. |
| Icon | Description |
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The grey box indicates that the package is not scheduled. |
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The grey box with a clock indicates that the package is scheduled, but the schedule is disabled. |
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The package is enabled and scheduled, and ready to be installed on clients. |
Right-click on a package brings you the following opportunities:
| Element | Description |
| Promote items | Promote… — Promotes the package to the child Configuration Management Point. Only shown when the Configuration Management Point has a child point. |
| Assign to Business Units… | Assigns the package to one or more Business Units. Only shown when Business Units exist. See Assign packages to Business Units. |
| Copy relations to… | Copies the package’s links to units and groups to another package. The menu item shows the number of relations, for example Copy 4 relations to…. Only available for computer packages, and you need manager rights for packages, units and groups. |
| Upgrade Package to… | Only shown for CapaPacks packages. See CapaPacks in Console. |
| Update now | This causes the synchronization service to synchronize the package to all the Management Servers the package is linked to. |
| Rebuild CapaInstaller.kit | Rebuilds the package’s kit file (CapaInstaller.kit). Only available in the root Configuration Management Point. |
| Edit installation script | Will open the install script in the preferred text editor specified in Options. Only available in the root Configuration Management Point. |
| Edit uninstallation script | Only available if the package contains an uninstall script. Will open the uninstall script in the preferred text editor specified in Options. Only available in the root Configuration Management Point. |
| Edit user configuration script | Only available if a computer package contains a user configuration script. Will open the user configuration script in the preferred text editor specified in Options. Only available in the root Configuration Management Point. |
| Edit post script | Only available if the package contains a postscript. Will open the postscript in the preferred text editor specified in Options. Only available in the root Configuration Management Point. |
| Adding to the buffer | Add to buffer — Add the package to the buffer for further management. |
| Paste unit* | Only available if one or more units of the same type as the package is stored in the unit buffer. It will add these units to the package. |
| Clear package buffer | This will clear the package buffer list. |
| Delete | This will delete the package. Will not be available on CapaInstaller’s default packages. |
| Export a package | Export… — Exports the package. |
| Unlink from group | Only shown when you right-click the package under a group. Removes the link between the package and the group. |
| Unlink… | Only shown when you right-click the package under a catalog group. Removes the package from the catalog group. |
| Unassign from Business Unit | Only shown when you right-click the package inside a Business Unit. Removes the package from the Business Unit. |
| Scheduling of packages | Scheduling… — Add a schedule that determines when the package is allowed to run. |
| Show in | Lists the other Configuration Management Points that contain the same package, so you can go to the package there. |
| Open folder in Windows Explorer | Will open windows explorer at the directory of the package. |
| Open folder location | Only shown in search results. Selects the package in the tree view. |
| Package Properties | Properties… — Provide you with the specific properties for the package in the package properties window. |
*This will indicate the type of units to be pasted, along with
the number of units to be added to the package.
Related tasks
Section titled “Related tasks”| If you want to… | You can… |
| Assign package to Units or Groups | Assign packages to units or groups. |
| Change package status | Change package status. |
| Create a package | Create a Package. |