Ghost Solution Suite

Hi there,

Im an old Ghost 2.5 user and worked a lot with AI builder.
Ghost 3.0 is out now and i cant find any information about how Ghost is building and deploying new software packages.
Is this still as simple as in Ghost 2.5? Start AI builder, Install software, make snapshot, build executable.?

 

Thanks,

LEVD

No, most packages nowadays come in Windows Installer (,msi) format so you don't need to create your own executable, most of those that come as executable setup files are just wrappers for Windows Installer packages. Packaging software yourself using setup captures has always been the least reliable method of creating software packages. GSS 3.0's direct predecessor, Deployment Server 6.9, did have a RapidInstall tool that did this but that's been dropped too AFAIK.

Hello andykn101,

So in short i cant build software installation packages in the new Ghost 3.0? However i can push msi files to clients.
Can you explain what this folder is in the Ghost directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Altiris\eXpress\Deployment Server\Wise Packager ?

Thx,

LEVD

I don't have GSS 3.0, only its predecessor Deployment Server 6.9 but it looks like GSS 3.0 does include Wise SetupCapture to build software installation packages. There's also the Wise MSI Editor which should let you create Transforms if you want to customise the installation of an msi more than the Public properties allow.

Do you know about any documentation about this part of the new Ghost 3.0?

 

 

In DS 6.9, the predecessor to GSS 3.0, there's a WisePackager.chm file that's quite comprehensive. I suggest you get the trial and have a look.

As fas as i can see (but i cant find it in Ghost 3.0 docs) AI builder / packager from Ghost 2.5 is replaced with Wise Setup Capture and almost works identical (snapshot -> install -> snapshot -> package -> deploy)
Is this supported for all OS'es supported by Ghost 3.0?
Is the Wise Setup capture included in Ghost 3.0 or is this a trial of somekind.

AndyKN thanks for your info!
@Symantec i really need a clear anwer before buying this product? Can i find the packaging option in the documentation somewhere?

 

LEVD

?? Symantec...

The WISE files have been included in GSS3 as a courtesy for those that have to support legacy Wise Packages. The WISE tools themselves aren't supported, updated or maintained anymore (it was abandoned as a produc many, many years ago).

There is a help folder in the "Wise Package Studio" folder, but please be aware that 6.10 build is from 2005 so this is pretty much aimed at 32-bit XP environments...

In short, it's not recommended that you use this to create new software packages.