How to Create an Update Package in Essentials
Applies To: System Center Essentials 2010
You can use System Center Essentials 2010 to create an update package for an arbitrary software product. If you would like to deploy an update that does not come from Microsoft Update for example, Essentials 2010 supports this task.
To create a new update package from a stand-alone setup file
In the Essentials console, click the Updates button. In the Updates Overview pane, click Create a new update.
When the New Update wizard opens, select Deploy a package from a stand-alone setup file, click Browse to locate and select the setup file, and click Next.
Tip
Choose from .msi or .exe files.
On the Update details page, type a name and description for the package in the text boxes provided. To enter this information in another language, select Alternate Locale, select a language from the drop-down list box, and then type the name and description for the update in the selected language. When finished, click Next.
On the Target System Types page, leave the default setting to No if the package is applicable to all managed computers. If you want to offer the package to only certain types of systems, click Yes, and select from the operating systems, architectures, and locales displayed. When you have finished, click Next.
On the Return code page, specify a return code if you want to track the deployment of the update package by mapping its own return codes to values that Essentials can report on. For example, a return code of 0 means the software installation was successful. Type a digit in the Code text box, select a value for the code from the drop-down list box, and click Add. When you have finished, click Next.
Note
You might need to refer to the documentation provided by the software publisher for further details on return codes.
On the Install/Uninstall Parameters page, specify any command-line installation parameters that are required to install the software; for example, to enforce a silent or unattended installation. Leave the default setting to No if there are no additional parameters required; otherwise, click Yes, and type the installation parameters in the text box provided. When you have finished, click Next.
On the Summary page, review the information about the update package that will be prepared for deployment. Click Previous if you need to go back and change any settings; otherwise, click Finish.
A progress bar will appear while Essentials creates the update package. Leave the check box selected to show deployment options when the wizard closes, and click Finish.
Update packages are not deployed until you select one or more computer groups to approve for installation. If you chose to show deployment options after the wizard closed, the Approve Groups for Deployment dialog box will appear next, prompting you to select the computer groups for which you want to deploy the software. Select the appropriate groups and optionally set a deadline for a selected group, or create a new group. Select the check box if you want the package to be visible in Add/Remove Programs for the selected computer groups.
To deploy a new update package from a setup file requiring additional folders
In the New Update wizard, select Deploy a package from a setup file requiring additional folders, click Browse to locate and select the root installation folder for the software, and then click Next.
Important
The installation folder must be selected before the package setup file can be specified.
Click Browse to select the package setup file from the folder or subfolder in which it resides.
Repeat steps 3 through 8 in the previous procedure to complete the preparation of this update package for deployment.
To deploy an existing software package
In the Essentials console, click the Updates button. In the Updates pane, expand Updates, and click the Unapproved Updates node.
Select an update package name in the list, and click Add and Remove Approvals in the Tasks pane.
In the Add and Remove Approvals dialog box, select the appropriate groups and optionally set a deadline for a selected group, or create a new group. Select the check box if you want the package to be visible in Add/Remove Programs for the selected computer groups.
Click OK to apply the approval settings. A progress bar is displayed while the settings are applied. Click Close after the settings have been applied.
Note
The update package will be moved from Unapproved Updates to All Updates after the update has been approved for deployment.
See Also
Tasks
How to Approve or Decline an Update for Deployment in Essentials
How to View the Status of a Deployed Update in Essentials
How to Create a Customized Updates View in Essentials
How to View Microsoft Critical and Security Update Status Reports in Essentials