Creating a Distribution Image

Administering BlueZone

Chapter 6

Creating a Distribution Image

Overview

The BlueZone installation and configuration process may be completely customized to meet the needs of your End Users without creating an unnecessary administrative burden. Using the information provided in this chapter, you can select only the BlueZone program files necessary for distribution. The SETUP.INI file can be modified, and a pre-configuration files created. This collection of files is called a BlueZone Distribution Image.

Installing BlueZone from a Distribution Image is similar to performing a standard BlueZone installation from the BlueZone CD-ROM, but is different is several key ways:

You can "customize" your installation beyond the limits of the standard installation.
Include optional features that are not selectable during a standard installation.
You can "pare down" the files in the "image" to include only the files that you require.
You can customize the look and feel of the BlueZone emulation clients to more closely match your End User requirements.
You can include BlueZone Configuration files so that the BlueZone emulation clients are completely configured and automatically connect to your hosts.
You can include BlueZone script files, Power Pad files, keyboard map files, or any other dialog level configuration file.
You can include the Software Activation File (SAF) which is necessary for licensing purposes.
You can use the "image" to create a Quiet Mode installation for use with software management programs that install desktop software using a "push" technology.

Creating a Distribution Image involves three steps:

Copying all the BlueZone Desktop files from the BlueZone CD-ROM to a folder on your hard drive.
Deleting any files that you don't need and adding any desired optional files.
Adding any additional files like the Software Activation File, BlueZone configuration files, scripts and macros.

Use the BlueZone File Listing to determine which files you can delete and which files you can add to the image.

TIP Click here to see a list of files that are needed for a typical Distribution Image of just IBM Mainframe Display and Printer emulators.

Once these steps are complete, you can install BlueZone using the standard InstallShield Wizard by double clicking the SETUP.EXE file.

Further automation of the setup process can be accomplished through the use of the Quiet Mode Installation feature.

Installation Mechanics

During the installation process, the InstallShield Wizard will automatically create a BlueZone folder in the All Users Common Folder as shown here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BlueZone

Any BlueZone Profiles (configuration files) that you placed in the image will automatically be copied to the \BlueZone\Config folder. The first time an End User launches a BlueZone session or launches the BlueZone Session Manager, the BlueZone profiles will automatically be copied to the location specified during Installation.

For example, if during the installation you used the default settings, your End user's working files will be placed in their My Documents folder.

\My Documents\BlueZone\Config

Any BlueZone Scripts (.bzs, .vbs, etc.) that you placed in the image will automatically be copied to the \BlueZone\Scripts folder. The first time an End User launches a BlueZone session or launches the BlueZone Session Manager, the BlueZone scripts will automatically be copied to the location specified during Installation.

For example, if during the installation you used the default settings, your End user's working files will be placed in their My Documents folder.

\My Documents\BlueZone\Scripts

In addition to the above mentioned files, any other included files will be copied to their respective folders.

This feature is very helpful to BlueZone Administrators when they are "pushing" out a BlueZone installation image using software management software, to many desktop machines and they want each End User's working files to be stored in their own My Documents folder, even if multiple users use the same machine.

CAUTION! Keep in mind that when you are finished creating your Distribution Image, it must have a completely flat file structure. It must not contain any folders. All BlueZone the files have to be at the same level.

Congratulations! You now have a distribution image that you can use to distribute a fully configured version BlueZone to your End Users for installation on their workstations.

TIP You can use the BlueZone Distribution Image to create a self-extracting installation file by using a combination of WinZip and WinZip Self Extractor. To do this, change the Quiet Mode Installation setting in the SETUP.INI file to “Yes”.

SEE Quiet Mode Installation for more information.