Difference between revisions of "Test Area"

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__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
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Self Service advertisements in Microsoft's SCCM allow us to provide users on Microsoft Windows PCs with the ability to install software at their own convenience.  In nearly all cases, these installs will be completely automated and so will require no user input or interaction aside from starting the software install.  This guide is intended to walk a user through the steps of locating and utilizing Self Service advertisements on their machine.
  
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All network printers in the ECE Department must be accessed through our central print server, ECE-PRINT-01. 
 
  
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The following guide explains how to add printers to a RHEL installed machine using the SMB protocol.  Please note, you must have sudo access on the machine in order to perform these steps.
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'''NOTES:'''
 +
* Administrator access is '''not''' required to run Self Service advertised installs.
 +
* Additionally, advertised installs can be performed while off-campus.  However, installs will be the most reliable when your machine is connected to the on-campus network.
 +
* If your machine does not have the Control Panel applets described on this page, or never lists or provides notifications of advertisements, there may be an issue with the SCCM client on your machine.  Contact your department or college computer support department for assistance, and be sure to provide the name of your machine.
 +
* All screen images on this page are from Windows 7, but text and options should be the same for Windows XP.  However, we cannot guarantee that all advertised programs will work properly with Windows XP.
 +
* At this time, Windows 7 and XP are the only versions of Windows supported for Self Service advertisements.
  
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If you have any problems adding a printer, printing, or have questions not answered by this page, please contact [mailto:ecehelp@ncsu.edu ecehelp@ncsu.edu].
 
  
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----
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==Receiving and Locating Self Service Advertisements==
  
 +
* Whether or not a program is advertised to your machine is the decision of your college or department computer support.  Some softwares may not be available due to licensing restrictions or other reasons.  You should contact your support personnel if you have questions or a request for a particular software to be advertised.
 +
* Please also note that you are not required to install a software that is advertised to your machine.  Just as some softwares may not be advertised for varying reasons, others may be advertised that you do not need.
 +
* You will receive automatic notifications whenever your machine receives an advertisement.  The notification will look like the image in ''Figure 1''.
  
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====Step 1 - Starting the Printer Config====
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<table>
 +
<TR><TD>[[Image:Sccm_offer1.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Figure 1 - Notification balloon''']]</TD></TR>
 +
</table>
  
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Login to the RHEL machine and open a Terminal window.  Then run the following command:
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* Currently these notifications cannot be disabled, but you may ignore them if you wish.  If you click on the notification, it will bring up a list of all the software installs that are advertised to your machine.  You can also bring up this list manually from Control Panel.
  
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sudo system-config-printer
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====Finding advertisements in Control Panel====
  
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Enter your NCSU password at the prompt and the Printer Configuration will open as shown in ''Figure 1''.  From there, click on the Add Printer button to start the wizard.
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* To locate the list of software installs that have been advertised to your machine, navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Run Advertised Programs.  That will open the window shown in ''Figure 2''.  From here you can select a program and choose to install it.  It will also give details on the last time an install was run and whether it was considered successful.
  
 
<table>  
 
<table>  
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<TR><TD>[[Image:add-printer.jpg|thumb|450px|'''Figure 1 - RHEL Printer config''']]  
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<TR><TD>[[Image:Sccm_offer3.jpg|thumb|500px|'''Figure 2 - Run Advertised Programs''']]</TD></TR>
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</TD></TR>  
 
 
</table>
 
</table>
  
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On the next page you have input fields for "Printer Name", "Description" and "Location".  Enter the name of the printer you intend to add in the "Printer Name" field.  This name should be labeled on the printer.  The "Description" and "Location" fields are optional.  Once you have put in the necessary information, click '''Forward''' to proceed.
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* Please note, if this list is empty, most likely your machine has not yet updated and received its assignments.  To resolve this, wait 10-15 minutes and then check again.  If necessary, you can force an update manually.  To do so, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Configuration Manager, click on the Actions Tab, and initiate the "Machine Policy Retrieval and Evaluation Cycle" action.
  
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====Step 2 - Configuring the SMB connection====
 
  
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The next page allows you to choose and configure the connection to the printer.  Choose the "Windows Printer via SAMBA" option.  This will bring up additional options on the right.
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==Understanding and Running an Advertisement==
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====Advertisement Details====
  
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* In the first blank, enter the department print server and the name of the printer you're trying to connect to as "ece-print-01.ece.ncsu.edu\printername"
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* Before you start any install, we '''strongly recommend''' that you review any details provided about the software install.  It's important to understand how long an install may potentially take and the necessary free disk space required for the full installation.  This is especially true considering many installs may be completely silent, and so you will not receive any indication that it has succeeded or failed.
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* Select WOLFTECH under the "Share" column
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* Enter your username as WOLFTECH\username
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* To view the details of an install, highlight an advertised install in the list and click the '''Details''' button to view the window shown in ''Figure 3'' and ''Figure 4''.
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* Enter your NCSU password
 
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* Click the '''Verify''' button to confirm you can access the printer share.  If it fails, double-check the information you have entered.  If you cannot connect to the share at this point, contact [mailto:ecehelp@ncsu.edu ecehelp@ncsu.edu]  for assistance.
 
  
 
<table>  
 
<table>  
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<TR><TD>[[Image:smb-settings.jpg|thumb|450px|'''Figure 2 - Configuring Samba options''']]  
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<TR><TD>[[Image:Sccm_offer6.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Figure 3 - Details - General Tab''']]</TD><TD>[[Image:Sccm_offer7.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Figure 3 - Details - Advanced Tab''']]</TD></TR>
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</TD></TR>  
 
 
</table>
 
</table>
  
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See ''Figure 2'' above.  As you can see we have filled in the necessary information to add the printer, HIPPOGRIFF.  If the verification succeeded, click '''Forward''' to proceed.
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* What to look for:
 +
*# '''Package Name:'''  All package names should include the software name, the manufacturer of the software, and the software version.  Any other details are for internal use.
 +
*# '''Comments:''' Important details regarding the package will be placed here.  There is limited space in this section, but at the least we will try to include the maximum length of time a package should take to install, whether or not the package is completely silent, and if a restart is required before using the software.
 +
*# ''Top Section''
 +
*#* '''User Input required:''' If this is "No", then the install is completely silent.  If it is "Yes", then you may see progress on the install, but you will not necessarily be prompted for any input.
 +
*#* '''Estimated disk space:''' The necessary free disk space required on your hard drive for the install.  Please note, all software packages will install to your C drive.
 +
*# ''Middle Section''
 +
*#* '''After program runs:'''  This can be ignored.
 +
*#* '''This program must run first:'''  Some softwares may require small scripts or prerequisite installers to run first.  These will almost always be silent.
 +
*# '''Additional requirements:'''  Any additional required information that cannot be fit in comments may go here.  An example may be the name of a companion software that is required
  
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====Step 3 - Choosing a driver====
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====Running an Advertised Install====
  
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The next two screens are for choosing a driver for your printer.  The first page requires that you choose a manufacturer, i.e., Dell, HP, Xerox, etc.  Please note that while RHEL does contain built-in drivers for printers, there may not be an appropriate driver for the printer model you are trying to add.  However, the generic PCL drivers work for almost all models.
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* Again, please note that you do not have to be an Administrator on the machine to run an advertised install.  ''However'', once installed, a software may require administrator privileges in order to use certain features.
 +
* Advertised installs can be performed from off-campus as well.  However, additional testing is required to determine how being off-campus affects download and install times.
 +
* Select a software from the list and click '''Run'''. The window in ''Figure 5'' will appear:
  
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To use the generic driver, choose "Generic" under "Makes" and click '''Forward'''.  This will bring you to the page shown in ''Figure 3'' below.
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<table>
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<TR><TD>[[Image:Sccm_offer8.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Figure 5 - Program Download''']]</TD><TD valign="top">
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<table>  
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<br>
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<TR><TD>[[Image:generic-driver.jpg|thumb|450px|'''Figure 3 - Choosing Driver''']]  
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* Clicking '''Properties''' here will bring up the package details.  Again, we recommend you read all details on a package before installing.<br><br>
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</TD></TR>  
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* The "Program size" listed here is the size of the download, ''not'' the size of the finished install.<br><br>
 +
* The "Estimated time to download" will always be wrong because it is estimated for a 56K connection.
 +
** For a rough estimate while on-campus, assume the value for hours is actually for minutes.  For example, in ''Figure 5'', you can assume the download will take ~7 minutes instead of 7 hours.<br><br>
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* You may click the checkbox at the bottom to have the install begin as soon as the download is completed.
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</TD></TR>
 
</table>
 
</table>
  
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From here, choose "PCL 6/PCL XL Printer" under "Model", and let it use the recommended driver under "Drivers".  Then click '''Forward'''.
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* Once you are ready, click the '''Download''' button. Your computer will begin downloading the install media.  Once it is finished, it will prompt you to begin the install, or will begin it automatically if you checked that option earlier.
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* Again, '''please note''' that some installs may be completely silent.  For those installs, you should allow the maximum allowed time to pass before attempting to use the software.
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(To check if RHEL has specific drivers for the printer model, follow the same method as choosing a generic driver, but instead choose the appropriate manufacturer under "Makes".  Then see if the printer model is listed as an option.  If it is not, go back and select Generic and use the generic driver.)
 
  
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====Step 4 - Finishing the config and other options====
 
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Once you've chosen a driver, the last page gives a very brief summary.  Click '''Apply''' to finish the wizard and add the printer.  You should now be back at the Printer Configuration as shown in ''Figure 4''.
 
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<table>
 
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<TR><TD>[[Image:other-options.jpg|thumb|450px|'''Figure 4 - Setting other options''']]
 
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</TD></TR>
 
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</table>
 
  
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You can see that HIPPOGRIFF now appears in our list of local printers.  To set the printer you've added as your default printer in RHEL, click on the '''Make Default Printer''' button.  You can also print a test page, edit the optional fields, or change the driver that is being used for the printer.  If the printer you have added is a color printer, the "Printer Options" field has some additional options you may wish to check.
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==Additional details and troubleshooting==
  
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You can now close the Printer Configuration and use the printer you've added in applications and from the Terminal.
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* If a program fails to download or install, check the amount of free disk space on your C drive.  It is good practice to keep at least 10% free disk space for Microsoft Windows.
 +
* If a silent install appears to have failed, restart your computer.  If it is still missing, attempt the install again.
 +
* If you receive an error message either from the install or during the download process, or a software appears to have installed properly but is missing features or licensing information, contact your department or college computer support for assistance.

Revision as of 15:39, 17 October 2011

Self Service advertisements in Microsoft's SCCM allow us to provide users on Microsoft Windows PCs with the ability to install software at their own convenience. In nearly all cases, these installs will be completely automated and so will require no user input or interaction aside from starting the software install. This guide is intended to walk a user through the steps of locating and utilizing Self Service advertisements on their machine.


NOTES:

  • Administrator access is not required to run Self Service advertised installs.
  • Additionally, advertised installs can be performed while off-campus. However, installs will be the most reliable when your machine is connected to the on-campus network.
  • If your machine does not have the Control Panel applets described on this page, or never lists or provides notifications of advertisements, there may be an issue with the SCCM client on your machine. Contact your department or college computer support department for assistance, and be sure to provide the name of your machine.
  • All screen images on this page are from Windows 7, but text and options should be the same for Windows XP. However, we cannot guarantee that all advertised programs will work properly with Windows XP.
  • At this time, Windows 7 and XP are the only versions of Windows supported for Self Service advertisements.


Receiving and Locating Self Service Advertisements

  • Whether or not a program is advertised to your machine is the decision of your college or department computer support. Some softwares may not be available due to licensing restrictions or other reasons. You should contact your support personnel if you have questions or a request for a particular software to be advertised.
  • Please also note that you are not required to install a software that is advertised to your machine. Just as some softwares may not be advertised for varying reasons, others may be advertised that you do not need.
  • You will receive automatic notifications whenever your machine receives an advertisement. The notification will look like the image in Figure 1.
Figure 1 - Notification balloon
  • Currently these notifications cannot be disabled, but you may ignore them if you wish. If you click on the notification, it will bring up a list of all the software installs that are advertised to your machine. You can also bring up this list manually from Control Panel.

Finding advertisements in Control Panel

  • To locate the list of software installs that have been advertised to your machine, navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Run Advertised Programs. That will open the window shown in Figure 2. From here you can select a program and choose to install it. It will also give details on the last time an install was run and whether it was considered successful.
Figure 2 - Run Advertised Programs
  • Please note, if this list is empty, most likely your machine has not yet updated and received its assignments. To resolve this, wait 10-15 minutes and then check again. If necessary, you can force an update manually. To do so, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Configuration Manager, click on the Actions Tab, and initiate the "Machine Policy Retrieval and Evaluation Cycle" action.


Understanding and Running an Advertisement

  • Before you start any install, we strongly recommend that you review any details provided about the software install. It's important to understand how long an install may potentially take and the necessary free disk space required for the full installation. This is especially true considering many installs may be completely silent, and so you will not receive any indication that it has succeeded or failed.
  • To view the details of an install, highlight an advertised install in the list and click the Details button to view the window shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.
Figure 3 - Details - General Tab
Figure 3 - Details - Advanced Tab
  • What to look for:
    1. Package Name: All package names should include the software name, the manufacturer of the software, and the software version. Any other details are for internal use.
    2. Comments: Important details regarding the package will be placed here. There is limited space in this section, but at the least we will try to include the maximum length of time a package should take to install, whether or not the package is completely silent, and if a restart is required before using the software.
    3. Top Section
      • User Input required: If this is "No", then the install is completely silent. If it is "Yes", then you may see progress on the install, but you will not necessarily be prompted for any input.
      • Estimated disk space: The necessary free disk space required on your hard drive for the install. Please note, all software packages will install to your C drive.
    4. Middle Section
      • After program runs: This can be ignored.
      • This program must run first: Some softwares may require small scripts or prerequisite installers to run first. These will almost always be silent.
    5. Additional requirements: Any additional required information that cannot be fit in comments may go here. An example may be the name of a companion software that is required

Running an Advertised Install

  • Again, please note that you do not have to be an Administrator on the machine to run an advertised install. However, once installed, a software may require administrator privileges in order to use certain features.
  • Advertised installs can be performed from off-campus as well. However, additional testing is required to determine how being off-campus affects download and install times.
  • Select a software from the list and click Run. The window in Figure 5 will appear:
Figure 5 - Program Download


  • Clicking Properties here will bring up the package details. Again, we recommend you read all details on a package before installing.

  • The "Program size" listed here is the size of the download, not the size of the finished install.

  • The "Estimated time to download" will always be wrong because it is estimated for a 56K connection.
    • For a rough estimate while on-campus, assume the value for hours is actually for minutes. For example, in Figure 5, you can assume the download will take ~7 minutes instead of 7 hours.

  • You may click the checkbox at the bottom to have the install begin as soon as the download is completed.
  • Once you are ready, click the Download button. Your computer will begin downloading the install media. Once it is finished, it will prompt you to begin the install, or will begin it automatically if you checked that option earlier.
  • Again, please note that some installs may be completely silent. For those installs, you should allow the maximum allowed time to pass before attempting to use the software.


Additional details and troubleshooting

  • If a program fails to download or install, check the amount of free disk space on your C drive. It is good practice to keep at least 10% free disk space for Microsoft Windows.
  • If a silent install appears to have failed, restart your computer. If it is still missing, attempt the install again.
  • If you receive an error message either from the install or during the download process, or a software appears to have installed properly but is missing features or licensing information, contact your department or college computer support for assistance.
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