Installation guide

What happens when you choose to append or merge
service packs?
When you append a service pack, the service pack is applied to the current
deployment only. Multiple service packs may be appended to a deployment.
The service pack file is included in the deployment and the service pack is
applied after the product is deployed.
When you merge a service pack, the service pack is merged into the
administrative image. Once merged, a service pack may not be removed from
the administrative image. Multiple service packs may be included in a single
administrative image.
You can choose to append or merge service packs from the Include Service
Packs page when creating a deployment.
What is an administrative image (MSI) file?
An administrative image is a collection of shared file resources created during
the deployment process and is used by deployments to install the program to
networked workstations. Service packs (patches) can be applied to an
administrative image when you create the deployment. A .msi file is a Microsoft
Installer file.
What is the impact of selecting all products for the
administrative image, and can I add products later?
If you elect to include all products in your deployment, the administrative
image will be larger. You should select all products only when you create
multiple deployments from this image and prefer not to use the installation
disc. If there are products you rarely or never use, and you do not expect to
create additional deployments, you should only select a subset of products.
You can still create a deployment at a later date, and include additional
products, but you need to create a new administrative image. You need the
installation disc to do so.
What happens when you choose to append or merge service packs? | 109