I am working on a project to deploy a package containing several products via SMS 2003.I scripted the installation package using an xml file,the xml file contains an installation point  source which uses a mapped network drive.This is our company way of silently deploying packages.

e.g  msiexec /i g:\Suite2004.2.msi RECORDRESPONSE="1"

The step above generates the xml file,then unattended tool is used to point to the xml and the installation folder.

The package has to be deployed to other sites geography located abraod.The size of the package is about 1.7 GB,

My question is: does SMS support mapped network drive?
UNC path would take a lot bandwidth,it's only an optional if the package is deployed on one site.

Thanks in advance

I would add the .msi as a package from definition so you have the install programs made for you. Then I would use a .bat or .vbs script to run first t map any drives you need. Since the package needs to go to the DP in a remote location, so you have an address with the settings to throttle the transfer during business hours and open it up after business hours? That would help a lot.

Thank you Brian I am going to check it  out,one more question  if you do not mind.Does SMS support map network drive?

My client wants to use a relative  path,would  this possible in my case?

Thanks

Ben

You can use a mapped drive, but anything used in a .bat file, use the FULL path to the location you want to connect to. You would probably need to make a batch file program and then have that program run before the one that needs the mapped drive. If you don't know how to do that, I can walk you through it.

Hi,

Yes, SMS Supports Mapped Network Drive.