User Guide

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Creating Web-Based Installations With WebDeploy
The WebDeploy Process
" Professional and Enterprise Editions only.
The following diagram shows how the WebDeploy process works when you distribute an
.EXE with an embedded .MSI over the Internet.
Tips for Creating an Efficient WebDeploy Installation
" Editions and Windows Installer version.
Available in Professional and Enterprise Editions only. For best results with WebDeploy, the
destination computer should have Windows Installer 2.0 or later.
Package Distribution or FTP client
When you develop the installation, you:
! Compile the installation to an .EXE that contains the .MSI
! Configure WebDeploy by specifying the location of installation files on the Web server
! Upload the installation files to the Web server
! Notify end users of the Web link to the .EXE
Your Computer
Your Web Server
Phase 1:
The end user:
! Launches the installation .EXE from your Web server
Destination Computer
Phase 2:
(HTTP Protocol)
Your Web Server:
! Contains the .EXE and
other pieces of the
installation ready for
download
When the end user runs the .EXE, it:
! Runs the .MSI
! Runs an installation wizard
! Determines which pieces of the application are needed
! Installs the appropriate pieces of the application
Destination Computer
Phase 3:
(HTTP Protocol)
Your Web Server:
! Contains the .EXE and
other pieces of the
installation ready for
download