Tivoli Software Distribution Packages

This page details problems and issues relating to Tivoli Software Distribution Packages.

How Can I Tell Where a Log File for a Package Lives? [14/8/02]
Recommendations for Distributing Microsoft Office XP in Software Distribution 4.1 [12/9/02]
What does the "Timeout" value of "-1" mean in a Programs Properties? [27/11/02]

How Can I Tell Where a Log File for a Package Lives?

Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP SMS]
The easiest way to find out where the log file for a Package resides is by right-clicking on the Package in question and selecting "Properties...".

The setting in the "Log Path:" box will tell you where the log file lives (by default log files are kept in the "<installation_path>\Tivoli\bin\swdis\work" directory.

Recommendations for Distributing Microsoft Office XP in Software Distribution 4.1

We are currently working on building a package for the distribution of Office XP to Win XP workstations. I would like to get some ideas on how you are handling the distribution/repair/removal of this application. Most other applications are very straight forward, but Office is 500+MB and very ugly.

Some ideas are to:

Distribute the CD image to a CID directory on the workstation with one package and leave it as a local install point then distribute another package to execute the MSI.
Autopacking the install. This is nice so that we can control exactly what is going on and not letting the "magic" installer do whatever it wants.
Make the SPB include the MSI information and the CD image all within the same package and set the Leave Images to true.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Contributed By: Rick Coupez
The only way I could get this to work successfully was to perform and administrative install (MSI) of the product with the selected options, place this install on Network drive accessible to all installable Endpoints. Then use MSI through SD 4.1 to perform the installation and the removal operations. Be sure to get "beforeMSI.exe" from Tivoli support (ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/ps/products/SD_servers/tools/SD_36-40/BeforeMSI/) because you need to run this command before each MSI operation.

You will need to have your TAP accounts setup so they can map the network drive where you administrative install is located. Look at the "An Introduction to Tivoli Software Distribution 4.0" and "Tivoli Software Distribution - 4.1 New Features and Scenarios" for some more information on this installation process.

Note: Autopack will not work for a package as large and complex as this.

What does the "Timeout" value of "-1" mean in a Programs Properties?

I'm creating a new program and I've noticed that the 'Timeout' field on the 'Execute Program Properties - Advanced' screen has a setting of '-1'. What does this mean?

Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP SMS]
A value of '-1' mean infinite in other words the program will never timeout. If for some reason the program hangs then the distribution will never complete so use this setting with care.