13.5 Software Distribution

Through the AnySecura console, administrators can automatically distribute and install software on client machines, or copy specific files or applications to clients. Using the software distribution feature, administrators can quickly deploy software and business applications across the entire network, significantly reducing their workload.

To create a distribution task, go to Assets Management → Software Distribution. The distribution process involves two steps: creating a distribution package and creating a distribution task. The task will then deploy the prepared package to the specified client machines.

13.5.1 Distribution Package

Administrators must first create a distribution package. The package defines the parameters required for distribution, is stored on the server, and can be reused multiple times.

Click the New button "" to create a distribution package. The information required when creating a package includes: General Information, File Information, Detection Conditions, and Prerequisites.

Set General Information

First, configure the general information, including:

Set File Information

Switch to the File Information tab on the left to configure the package's files, including:

Field Name	Description
General	Includes package size, computer name, and original path.
Package Size	Size of the package after creation (read-only).
Computer Name	Name of the computer where the console is running when creating the package (read-only).
Original Path	Original path of the package file (read-only).
Distribution Mode	Three options: Install Software, Execute Program, and Distribute File.
Install Software	Distribute an application installer to the client and install it.
Execute Program	Execute a specified program on the client only once.
Distribute File	Distribute specified files to the client.
Command Line	Required when Install Software or Execute Program is selected. Typically the core installer or program file name. Can be entered manually or extracted from the file list by right-clicking and selecting Use File Name as Command Line.
Target Path	Required when Distribute File is selected. Specifies the path on the client machine. Default: {desktop}\deploy files.
Run Mode	Run as current logged-in user uses the client's logged-in user permissions. If unchecked, the program runs under the system (SYSTEM) account.
File List	Displays all files and directories in the package. Columns include File Name, Size, Modified Time, and Version. Use the Add button ""to select files/folders. Multiple files/folders can be added simultaneously but must be under the same parent folder. Each time you click Add, a new file list is created, automatically replacing the previous list.

Set Detection Conditions and Prerequisites

Detection Conditions: These define the criteria for determining whether the software has been successfully installed. The client automatically checks these conditions; if met, the installation is considered successful. If not, the client will continue attempting installation. Detection conditions are mandatory for "Install Software" mode, but not required for other distribution modes.

Prerequisite Conditions: These specify the conditions that must be satisfied for the package to be executed. Before distributing the package, the client checks these conditions: if satisfied, the package is deployed; otherwise, deployment is skipped. Prerequisites are optional.

For different system and software environments, detection and prerequisite conditions can be set in five types:

Example of Detection Conditions:

The following are the detection conditions for creating a Microsoft Office 2003 installation package.

Package Deletion and Modification

Deletion removes the package, while editing allows modification of its parameters, conditions, and other settings. A package can only be deleted or edited when its status is "Ready". A package is considered Ready if no distribution tasks are currently using it.

13.5.2 Distribution Tasks

After creating a distribution package, you need to create a distribution task to assign it to target computers. In the Distribution Task view, click the New button "" in the top-right corner to create a task.

Settings for a distribution task include:

Field Name	Description
Task Name	Default name is "New Task"; administrators can modify it. The name cannot be empty.
Package Name	Click the "…" button to select the distribution package to use.
Maximum Retry Attempts	Specifies how many times the task will retry if distribution fails. Default is 10; can be changed to any other integer. Entering 0 means the task will keep retrying indefinitely until successful, unless manually stopped.
Status	Displays the current status of the task. Click the Settings button to configure execution mode and schedule.
Execution Mode	Continuous Execution: The task will run repeatedly according to the specified schedule. If "Stop execution after successful distribution" is checked, the task will cease on the client once the distribution succeeds. Execute Once: The task will run only a single time. Regardless of success or failure, it will not run again after completion.
Execution Schedule:	Execute immediately: The distribution task runs as soon as it is created. If the client is offline, it will execute the next time the client starts. Execute at computer startup: The task runs when the client computer starts. If the client is online, a restart is required for execution. Execute at a specified time: The task runs at the set time according to the schedule.
Target Computers:	Click the "" button to select the client computers that will receive the distribution task.

After configuring the task properties, click OK to start the distribution task immediately. You can monitor the task status in the task list.

The available information includes:

Distribution tasks can also be deleted or edited. During the task distribution process, deletion and editing are not allowed. You must first stop the task (by right-clicking the task and selecting Stop) before performing delete or edit operations.

Copying a Distribution Task

In the distribution task list, right-click the selected task and choose Copy this Distribution Task. A new task creation dialog will appear, allowing you to create a new task based on the selected one. In the new dialog, the Package Name is empty, while all other settings are carried over from the original task.