Using the KACE 1000 server to install software from the “Alternative” download share … (This preserves disk space on the server for the patch feed.)
1) Create zip file of install files. (Be sure to just zip the files and not the enclosing folder. The install process is going to be looking to work with something like “.\install.exe”)
2) Copy that zip file to \\kstore\apps (Gabe needs to give your account write permission to that share.)
3) Create a dummy zip file which has only one small file but has the exact same name as the zip file you just copied to the \\kstore share (be careful not to overwrite and/or confuse these 2 zip files.)
4) Map a drive on a windows box that is running the KACE 1000 client to the \\kstore\apps share
5) Create the checksum for the zip file stored in the \\kstore\apps location with the command:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\KACE\KDeploy.exe" -hash=k:\FILENAME.ZIP
6) Log into the KACE 1000 server and go to Inventory – Software – Choose Action – Create New Item …
Enter a relevant Display Name, Select the target Operating Systems, and choose the small dummy zip file as the file to upload and associate with this software item. Save this item.
7) Next go to Distribution – Managed Installations – Choose Action – Create New Item …
Select the software item you just saved above. Leave everything blank till the “Installation Command” section. I select “Configure Manually” and enter the exact install command as in “setup.exe /S” and then check off “Run Command Only” and “Don’t Prepend msiexec”. Also check off “Use Alternative Download” which opens a couple more boxes. In the first, put your share location, mine is: \\kstore\apps, next paste in the checksum you generated earlier, be sure to carefully delete the extra crap at the beginning and end of the actual checksum. Enter the username and password for an account on the share that has read access to the share location. (Gabe is the keeper of these accounts) Enter any notes you may want, also select the target computers which should get the install and set the installation time frame and lastly for the Managed Action: select “Execute Anytime”. Then save the item.
Now – as the targeted computers check-in – they should see that they have an installation waiting and they should attempt the install. Assuming everything is correct above the installs should proceed.
Troubleshooting —
1) Be sure that the install command is absolutely correct. To do this test the install command in a command window on a test computer or VM.
2) Be sure the name of the dummy zip file and the real zip file are identical.
3) Be sure the checksum is created against the real zip file stored on the share.
