Auto-Updates using MSI

[reshugoyal]

Hi,

I need to implement Auto Updates in my application wherein I will be
installing the application using msi.
First time I will be installing it through CD.( Directly running the
MSI file) Next time any of my clients run the application and if newer
version is available(which has to be specified on server) they must get
a notification that "New version is available. Do you want to
Download/Install?" and depending on the user action if Yes the new
version should be installed on the client machine.

Please let me know if somebody has already worked out the solution. I
have seen the examples provided by Microsoft patterns and practices
(MSIQuickstart(CS) solution) but it didn't help.

Thanks,
Reshu Goyal

 

[Ahmed]

Search for the Updater Application Block (UAB) and enterprise Libraries
in MSDN.
Here is one of the links I already have:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/updaterv2.asp

I remember it wasn't compatible last year with .NET 2.0 when it was in
beta. But it was working with .net 1.1. There is a new release of the
Enterprise Libraries which is compatible with .NET 2.0. But I haven't
tried the UAB yet.

I hope that helps.

 

[reshugoyal]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.
I have already tried this out with Updater application blocks but that
does not solve my problem. I have already explored the solutions
available on the link you referred to.
We need to create a manifest at server end and app.config at client end
using the tools available with UAB installer. Also as specified in my
earlier mail there is an sample solution available with that.
(MSIQuickstart(CS) solution) These are the inputs I got from that link.
What I need is Something which happens with Yahoo Messenger with some
changes. When user starts the application, the user must be notified
that we have a new version available and that version should be
installed and user must be promted to restart the application once the
newer version is installed.
Please let me know if you can provide me more inputs on this.

Thanks,

 

[Ahmed]

I used the UAB to build different proof of concepts for the project we
will be building next year. I remember I followed the instructions step
by step. I think I wrote a document for myself to remind me w/ the
steps. I will look for it and post it here today if I find it .

 

[Ahmed]

Actually I forgot to ask you. Are you using .NET 2.0 or 1.1? If you are
using 2.0, did you look at click once deployment? It's strat forward.

 

[reshugoyal]

I am using .Net 1.1

Actually I forgot to ask you. Are you using .NET 2.0 or 1.1? If you are
using 2.0, did you look at click once deployment? It's strat forward.

 

[Ahmed]

Hi,

I didn't find the document on my work computer. When I get home, I will
install enterprise libararies and AUB. Then I will provide you with
step by step instructions. Hopefully, I will get to you tonight or
tomorrow (Wednesday).

Cheers,
Ahmed

 

[reshugoyal]

Hi,

Please let me know if you got the document which you mentioned in the
prev. mail.

Thanks & Regards,
Reshu

 

[Ahmed]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I didn't find it. I installed the enterprise libraries
and the updater block yesterday on my home machine but I didn't have
time to create any application. I was busy watching NBA . I also
watched the following webcast about UAB:

http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/W...&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

I found it really useful. Watch it and I will try to write a document
about UAB tonight.

Cheers,

Ahmed

 

[Ahmed]

Hi,

It didn't work I am having really hard time installing the updater
block since I dont have the enterprise library installed into the
default location. You can get more help regarding the UAB in the
www.gotdotnet.com