Creating Install Packages

Install packages are used to automate and simplify the process of installing Pharos Popups on client PCs. Aside from installing the Popup Client (including user notification functions), install packages are also used to set up one or more Pharos Queues as printers on the local PC. Install packages are self-contained and need only be copied/downloaded to client PCs and run.

Install Packages are created in the Packages > Package Definitions context of the Pharos Administrator. Two types of install packages are created: Full standalone packages, and "Lite" packages. Lite" packages are smaller executables that detect the operating system and any existing modules, then download only those modules that are needed.

Requirements:

  • Make sure that all Queues are using the correct drivers - the drivers specified for each queue must match the drivers in use on the printers that the queues forward jobs to.
  • If you plan to use "Lite" packages or the "Automatic Update" feature, you must specify the Package Download and Update Location in the Packages > Packages Global Settings context. The Package Download and Update Location  is the URL of the web site that modules will be downloaded from.

Steps in Creating Install Packages

In summary, the process of creating and deploying install packages involves the following steps:

  1. Specify the global properties of the install packages
  2. Add a Custom Module (optional)
  3. Add a Package Definition
  4. Build packages based on the definitions

After creating the install package, you can now deploy packages to client PCs.

The Pharos Station, SignUp Client, and Pharos Remote components are also installed using self-contained install packages. These packages are available on the Packages context of the Pharos Administrator. These packages do not need to be customized - simply copy them to the PC you want to install on and then run them.