Standard MSI package

« Back to MSI configuration

Before you start:

  • Download and install the latest version of the Viewer on the computer where you are going to run the configuration process.
  • Download the latest MSI package of the Host. You do not have to install it — just download it.
  • If you already have the Host installed and running on the Viewer PC — stop the Host (right click on the Host tray icon and select Stop Host).

Where to use

The "Standard MSI" configuration option is most suitable for automated deployment across your local network using GPO or Remote Install tool.

Sample goals

For the purposes of this tutorial, we will assume you have the following goals:

  • Goal 1 You do not want the program to install its icons in the Windows Start menu.
  • Goal 2 You want to be able to access remote Hosts using Windows credentials (e.g. on a domain).
  • Goal 3 You are going to directly connect to remote Hosts using their IP addresses or computer names. Therefore you do not need to enable firewall bypassing capabilities (Internet ID).

Let’s see how you can configure the Host installer to achieve these goals.

Configuration process

Run the Viewer as an administrator, select Tools ➝ MSI Configurator:

MSI configurator button on the Viewer toolbar

Step 1: Select the path to the Host file

Specify the path to the downloaded Host MSI file and click Next.

Specify the path to the Host installer

Step 2: Select the type of distribution

Select Standard MSI package and click Next.

Select the type of distribution package

Step 3: Advanced options

Skip the Internet-ID tab. On the Other tab, check the Do not create shortcuts... option (Goal 1). Click Next.

Select Internet-ID options

Step 4: Settings update

Select Pre-configure Host settings and click Finish:

Settings update step

You will be prompted to specify a destination for your configured MSI installer. Select a destination and click Save:

Windows save dialog

The Host settings window will open:

Host settings window

Step 4a: Pre-configuring Host settings

In order to set the authorization method to WinNT (Goal 2):

Click Settings for Host and select Security.

Host settings Security item

Select WinNT security and click Permissions.

Host security dialog

Click Add. Host security dialog

Select a user (or a group) whom you want to allow access to the Host. Click OK:

Select user or group to allow access

In the Permissions section, select the specific permissions that will be granted. You can add multiple users and specify different permissions for each user.

Set permissions for the user

Click OK and close the Security dialog.

In order to disable the Internet ID feature (Goal 3) click Settings for Host again and select Options:

Host settings Options item

On the General tab check the Disable Internet ID and callback connections checkbox. Click OK.

Host Options dialog, General tab

Important!

Disabling Internet ID in the Host settings ensures that the Host only accepts direct connections and will not communicate with a third-party server on the Internet. This is suitable for highly secure environments to restrict Host access to LAN/VPN connections only.

Close the Settings window by clicking the X button at the top-right corner of the window. The configuration process will begin.

Settings window, Close button

It may take a few moments before the configuration process is finished. When the process is complete, a thank you message will appear:

A thank you message

You can now use your custom Host MSI installer (hostx.x_mod.msi) to push-install the Host across your network. If you want to build an MSI installer with different settings, you need to repeat the configuration process from the beginning.

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