Software Deployment

Forget the icons for now! I can't believe that will be your only problem repackaging this... [;)] Does the MSI install and working OK and have you validated it?

Cheers,
Rob.

MSI Packager is right sini please do not try to repackage the oracle 9i msi.

I'm not saying don't repackage it - I did and would recommend it to get away from that stinking Oracle installer.. I'm just saying get the MSI working before you worry about the icons [;)]

Repackaging takes a damn lot of time for oracle, not because its very complex it's the size that matters(administrative install 657MB). It's just plain files after all except for the odbc entries and the service. Got sick of that shorcutbug and copied the .lnk files into the package. Also disabled advertising, which is pretty useless for this package.

Yau can do a gap capture. Since ther may be some problem in the short cut.

Since some of you have seemed to get the Oracle client to install, I'm wondering you have seen the error we are getting:

The Java RunTime Environment was not foudn at: C:\winnt\profiles\username\locals~1\Temp\OraInstall2005-08-26_02-45-04P\jre\bin\javaw.exe Hence, the Oracle Universal Installer cannot be run.
Please visit http://www.javasoft.com and install JRE version 1.3.1 or higher and try again.

We have the latest version of Java installed, suns java test page shows version 1.5.0_04

Any help will be appreciated.

Oracle is a java based installation so it may be that the java client is installed wrong or is too high for Oracle. Try a clean machine with java 1.42 or something.

Yeah I reckon 1.5.0 is probably too new - you can download previous versions here: http://java.sun.com/products/archive/

Hope it helps,
Rob.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I still receive the same error.

From what I read out of it, Oracle is lookign for the java files to be located inside the temp folder oracle creates in the user directory. This doesn't make sense to me.

Is the java directory included in the path environment variable?

Looking at the oraparam.ini file that is included on the CD seems to be pointing to files on the CD that don't exist on the CD. The folder names in the ini don't match what's on the disc. Even when I change the paths to match what is on the CD I still get the same error.

I've heard that Oracle is a pain to install, but I'm just trying to get the client install.

I still do not understand why you are trying to repackage such a complex installation and application like Oracle 9i.

ORIGINAL: wiseapp

I still do not understand why you are trying to repackage such a complex installation and application like Oracle 9i.


Just the client for ease of use on our end users. I work at a University, and we have multiple groups that need this installed. All our software is re-packaged for easy deployment.

Hi cedric:

I know this is done for easy deployment, but believe me repackaging vendor provided/third party MSI is not a best practise though.

That still doesn't solve the problem that it won't install period. Same error.

wiseapp said:

> I know this is done for easy deployment, but believe me repackaging
> vendor provided/third party MSI is not a best practise though.

Except that the OUI (Oracle Universal Installer) isn't an MSI package. It's also none too keen on long filenames (depending on the components you're installing).

That still doesn't solve the problem that it won't install period. Same error.


I know it probably doesn't help you, but what we do is remove all hard-coded shortcuts from our installs and deliver NAL shortcuts to the users instead.

In my time I've repackaged lots of OUI-based installs as MSIs and have yet to have a problem. I even support systems that have multiple Oracle client versions on them...

Hi Guzs..............
I have been working on Oracle 9i application..............I have completed the repackaging. It is working installation , launching and also uninstallaton.
But one problem have been facing is ICE30 error, i.e the same file is getting installed in same directory.
So plz can anybody help me in resolving this issue..................
I need ur help ASAP...................

Hi Chandra:

Although I don't prefer repackaging such complex installation , there is oracle universal installer that you can use to do this task. As you have done repackaging and you facing an ICE 30 error its because of the fact that earlier versions of WISE do not support long filename. I think its now resolved in 7.0 versions or later, the workaround for this issue is:

1. Change the duplicate short file directory names to unique ones
2. I am attaching a sample vbscript that you can run to resolve this issue (Courtsey: Altiris Knowledgebase)
Just copy this code and save it as DuplicateDirFix.vbs

'------------------------------------------------------------------
' This script is provided as a workaround to correct ICE30 errors
' resulting from defect #40771.
'------------------------------------------------------------------
' This script provided without warrantee of any kind. Altiris, Inc.
' is not responsible for any results arising from its use.
' The code may not be modified or redistributed without consent
' from Altiris, Inc.
'
' Copyright 2006, Altiris, Inc. All rights reserved.
'------------------------------------------------------------------

On Error Resume Next

'Declare public error checking variables
Public message, Action

'==================================================================
' Grab path to .MSI file from command line argument
Dim FILE
FILE = Wscript.Arguments(0)
'==================================================================


'Message if command line does not contain a .WSI or .MSI...
If ((InStr(UCase(FILE),".MSI") <= 0) AND (InStr(UCase(FILE),".WSI") <= 0)) Then
MsgBox "Windows Installer utility to correct duplicate short file DefaultDir Directory table" &_
vbLf & "entries." &_
vbNewLine &_
vbLf & "The required argument is the full path to an .MSI or .WSI file." &_
vbNewLine &_
vbLf & "ex. C:\Installs\Test1\Test1.msi" &_
vbNewLine &_
vbNewLine & "Copyright (C)2006 Altiris, Inc. All rights reserved.", vbOkOnly , "Altiris Support"
Wscript.Quit 1
End If


' Create Windows Installer Object
Dim Installer
Set Installer = Nothing
Set Installer = CreateObject("WindowsInstaller.Installer"):CheckError "Creating WI Object"


' Declare Variables
Dim Record
Dim View
Dim ModView
Dim QUERYDIRTABLE
Dim UPDATEDIRROW


' Open File as Installer.Database
Dim Database
Set Database = Installer.OpenDatabase(FILE, 1):CheckError "Opening Database"


'Windows Installer SQL Query to get Directory table information.
QUERYDIRTABLE = "SELECT `Directory`, `DefaultDir` FROM `Directory`"


'Execute Query
Set View = Database.OpenView(QUERYDIRTABLE)
View.Execute:CheckError "Getting Directory Table Data"


'Fetch first result
Set Record = View.Fetch


'Declare more variables
Dim COUNT
Dim DefDir
Dim DirDir
Dim PipeLoc
Dim LongName
Dim NewShort
Dim OldShort
Dim ShortExt
Dim NewDefDir


'Init counter
COUNT=0


'Enumerate through rows and correct entries
While NOT(Record Is Nothing)

'Get Directory and DefaultDir entries into variables
DirDir = Record.StringData(1)
DefDir = Record.StringData(2)

'If the DefaultDir contains "~1|" or "~1." and not ".:"...
If ((INSTR(DefDir, "~1|") > 0 ) OR (INSTR(DefDir, "~1.") > 0 )) AND (INSTR(DefDir, ".:") <= 0 ) Then

'Parse and correct short file entry
COUNT = COUNT + 1
PipeLoc = INSTR(DefDir, "|")
Oldshort = LEFT(DefDir, PipeLoc-1)
LongName = RIGHT(DefDir, LEN(DefDir)-PipeLoc)
If INSTR(OldShort, "~1.") Then
ShortExt = RIGHT(OldShort, 3)
NewShort = LEFT(LongName, 6-LEN(COUNT)) & COUNT & "~1." & ShortExt & "|"
Else
NewShort = LEFT(LongName, 6-LEN(COUNT)) & COUNT & "~1|"
End If

'Merge new short file entry with existing long file entry
NewDefDir = NewShort & LongName

'Update DefaultDir with corrected value
UPDATEDIRROW = "UPDATE `Directory` SET `Directory`.`DefaultDir`='" & NewDefDir & "' WHERE `Directory`.`Directory`='" & DirDir & "'"
Set ModView = Database.OpenView(UPDATEDIRROW)
ModView.Execute:CheckError "Updating Row"

End If

'Fetch next result
Set Record = View.Fetch
WEnd


'Save changes
Database.Commit:CheckError "Committing Changes"


'Cleanup
View.Close
Set Record = Nothing
Set Database = Nothing
Set TableView = Nothing

'Complete
MSGBOX "Finished processing " & FILE & "." & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & "Corrected " & COUNT & " entries.", vbOkOnly, "Complete"


'------------------------------------------------------------
'Error Checking Procedures

Sub CheckError(Action)
Dim errRec
If Err.Number <> "0" Then
message = Err.Source & " " & Hex(Err) & ": " & Err.Description
Fail message, Action
End If
End Sub


Sub Fail(FailMessage, FailAction)
MsgBox FailMessage, vbCritical, "Error - " & FailAction
Wscript.Quit 2
End Sub

And after saving this file just run it through command line as wscript.exe c:\DefaultDirFix.vbs C:\Name of your MSI/WSI.

Example:

Wscript.exe c:\DefaultDirFix.vbs C:\test.msi

Let me know in case you need any further help. All the best!


_____________________________

Regards,

Bhupesh Mansukhani

Oracle 9i can co-exist quite happily with lots of other versions of the Oracle client, so the benefits of repackaging are somewhat reduced. As someone who's repackaged Oracle9i successfully, I can say that the easiest deployment method by far is to not repackage it.

Use the Oracle documentation, find out how to create your own custom response file and run a command line similar to this one:

"<oraclepath>\setup.exe -silent -responsefile <path to response file>\mycustom.rsp"

Having experience of both methods, there's absolutely no comparison to "staying native". The only tricky bit with the above command line is knowing when the install has stopped because the setup.exe process stops after about 20 seconds and hands everything over to javaw.exe.

ORIGINAL: Qazmo

Oracle 9i can co-exist quite happily with lots of other versions of the Oracle client, so the benefits of repackaging are somewhat reduced. As someone who's repackaged Oracle9i successfully, I can say that the easiest deployment method by far is to not repackage it.


I totally agree, although you have to be careful of all of Oracle's little "gotchas" (incorrect syntax in some of the pre-canned rsp files, the tendency of the install to hang, the need to monitor and kill javaw.exe, lack of control panel add/remove, etc.)

I can't believe that Oracle 10 still is not MSI for windows. THAT really sucks.

But doing the non-MSI install is probably the only supported way to have more than one Oracle home.

Other articles have been posted about repackaging for multiple Oracle home directories. If I ever have to do Oracle again I will revisit this question.

Best regards all,
OG

Oracle isn't particularly complex, repackaging does cause a number of issues you should be aware of.

Oracle homes details will be broken, if you do package it you will need to build in a custom solution that allows incrementing of the Oracle homes registry keys.

You will also need to edit the Oracle.Key file and insert the current Oracle home ID

There is a couple of other items to lookout for, I have posted numerous details on this over the years and even supplied an automated solution to rectify these issues. I cant remember if I posted it here or in the Wise forums. (I think the later)

A search on the forums with reference to my userid and OracleRegFix.vbs or OracleMsiFix.vbs and oracle homes should find it including the detail about the gotcha's Owen mentioned.

As someone who's repackaged Oracle9i successfully, I can say that the easiest deployment method by far is to not repackage it.

Although this is true, uninstalling this method is not real pretty. If you need to cater for uninstall as well repackage it unless you like breaking other versions of Oracle.

ORIGINAL: jmcfadyen
Although this is true, uninstalling this method is not real pretty. If you need to cater for uninstall as well repackage it unless you like breaking other versions of Oracle.


I've never been brave enough to try an uninstall :) but, because the Oracle client's happy to co-exist with lots of its mates, I've never seen the need to uninstall.

Thank you John, it was probably your articles I was referring to in my original post. I have repackaged it before, and was not truly satisfied by the efforts. The past few times I have done a shell for the Oracle Installer, and was still not truly satisfied, but time constraints and supportability were issues at the time. If I do repackage it I will definitely look into your scripts. (just fyi, they appear to have gone off the search radar on altiris.com - any plans to republish them?) Thanks!
Owen

I posted them on Wise and MyItForum I dont know if I have a copy floating around I will see what I can do.

mail me at [email=john.mcfadyen@gmail.com]john.mcfadyen@gmail.com[/email] as a reminder. I forget stuff these days..

John, I finally did find the script. In case anybody else is interested it was in the altiris archives at http://forums.altiris.com/

Thanks Much,
Owen

consider me a newbie.
but would running MSI exec and exploding it out be a better way to deliver it?
or make it easier all around.

Owen,

There are a few versions of the script.

Make sure it is setting the Oracle Key file.

Also make sure that it checking for [# in the reg table.

You will also need to set properties of ORACLEID HOMEID with default values of 0,1

If you send me the code I can have a quick look over to see if it is the correct version.

It's not an MSI. That's why sini wants to repackage it.

ORIGINAL: JSALSB

consider me a newbie.
but would running MSI exec and exploding it out be a better way to deliver it?
or make it easier all around.

Can anyone tell me what the executable for Oracle client is. I am trying to use the software metering function of SMS to track usage of the Oracle client. In order to track software you must know that executable that runs the application.

ORIGINAL: StefStephens

Can anyone tell me what the executable for Oracle client is.


The Oracle client is a suite of programs; there's no single executable.

Hi Stef:

To package the oracle client your way, you need to have Oracle Universal Installer go thru the following steps:

1. Enter the following command: SYSTEM_DRIVE:\setup.exe_location> setup -record -destinationFile response_file_name
   
   Replace response_file_name with the complete path name for the new response file. For example: SYSTEM_DRIVE:\setup.exe_location> setup -record -destinationFile c:\response_files\install_oracle10_2.rsp
   
   
2. After Oracle Universal Installer starts, enter the installation settings, which will be recorded in the response file.
   
3. When the Summary window appears, do one of the following:
   • Click Install to create the response file and continue with the installation.
     
   • Click Cancel if you only want to create the response file but not continue with the installation. The installation will stop, but the settings you have entered will be recorded in the response file.
   Afterwards, Oracle Universal Installer saves your new response file using the path and file name you specified on the command line.
   
4. Edit the new response file to have any environment-specific changes for the computer on which you will run it. In addition to editing settings specific to the Oracle Database Client installation, check that the FROM_LOCATION path is correct and points to the products.xml file in the stage directory in the installation media. You may want to set this variable to point to an absolute path, for example: FROM_LOCATION="\\myserver\client\response\stage\products.xml"
   
   Remember that you can specify the response file variables at the command line rather than within the response file. "How Response Files Work" explains this method.
   
5. Run the response file by following the instructions in the "Running Oracle Universal Installer Using the Response File" section, next.

You can also refer to this link for more customisation options for your Oracle Client:

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/install.102/b14313/advance.htm#BBADBFFI

However I think repackaging Oracle client shall not be a good option as its quite complicated.

Revert incase of any further clarifications regarding the same.

Regards,

Bhupesh

Hey thank you for your responses. Can anyone help me out with the suite of programs oracle uses what they do and the exe or processes that run. I would be forever in your debt.

ORIGINAL: StefStephens

Hey thank you for your responses.  Can anyone help me out with the suite of programs oracle uses what they do and the exe or processes that run.  I would be forever in your debt.


Let me guess...you've never actually seen an Oracle Client install, have you :^)

You might be forever in someone's debt, but they'd be forever documenting what all the executables in an Oracle Client install do...there are *at least* 100 straight EXE's alone in a full install.

You guessed right. I have never used it before. OMG. I did not realize their were so many. In order to implement software metering through SMS, I really dont have to know how to use an application just what exe/process do I want sms to track. It will then let me know how often the application is being used.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to set up tracking oracle usage by exe?

ORIGINAL: StefStephens

You guessed right.  I have never used it before.  OMG.  I did not realize their were so many.  In order to implement software metering through SMS, I really dont have to know how to use an application just what exe/process do I want sms to track.  It will then let me know how often the application is being used. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to set up tracking oracle usage by exe?


I might be missing something, but I think you've answered your own question: locate all the EXE's and set up SMS metering?

ORIGINAL: Qazmo
I might be missing something, but I think you've answered your own question: locate all the EXE's and set up SMS metering? I'd wager that the overwhelming majority of those EXEs are called by other EXEs. Why not simply examine the shortcuts which get installed and set up metering for those which call EXEs (some will obviously call HLPs, PDFs, HTMs and so on)

I do not have the application. I was hoping someone with some experience with oracle can possible lead me in the direction of what exe's show application usage. for example I would not want to track an exe that might run continously like some of symantec antivirus exe. This would screw up the tracking. I hope that clears things up. If I can not get any more detailed support I guess i will have to resort to tracking them all.

I still would need all the exe's

I think your original question misunderstands the Oracle Client. It would be along the lines of me asking "how do I meter Windows usage?"

Basically, you'd find that quite difficult unless you broke it down further and asked "how do I meter explorer usage? how do I meter regedit usage?" and so on. You'd need to do the same with the Oracle Client - "how do I meter sql *plus usage? how do I meter sqlj usage? how do I meter windows interfaces usage?" and so on.

Qazmo,

I see. I have a better understanding. Since you seem to have some expererience with Oracle? Would you be willing to give me a few exe/proc?

ORIGINAL: StefStephens

I see.  I have a better understanding.  Since you seem to have some expererience with Oracle? Would you be willing to give me a few exe/proc?


You're still approaching this from the wrong angle. Oracle usage isn't solely based on what EXE is run.

I can't believe you're seriously going to track the usage of something you don't have a true understanding of or any experience of, but (for what it's worth) this is a list of all the EXE's in a custom Oracle9i Client install where only Network Utilities and Windows Interfaces was installed (it's the only one I have readily to hand). That is, this is *not* a full install and some of these EXE's appear in multiple places:

ACTIVEX.EXE
appletviewer.exe
BLOB.EXE
CALC.EXE
CLIENT.EXE
CLOB.EXE
COLL_DYN.EXE
CONNPOOL.EXE
DATACTRL.EXE
DEMPODC.EXE
DEMPOIP.EXE
DEPTGRID.EXE
dsnconvert.exe
EMP.EXE
EMPDATA.EXE
EMPGRID.EXE
EMPMIX.EXE
EMPODC.EXE
EMPOIP.EXE
EMP_QT.EXE
extcheck.exe
idlj.exe
jar.exe
jarsigner.exe
java.exe
javac.exe
javadoc.exe
javah.exe
javakey.exe
javap.exe
javaw.exe
jdb.exe
jre.exe
jrew.exe
keytool.exe
launch.exe
LMSGEN.EXE
loadpsp.exe
LOB.EXE
LOGIN.EXE
LOOKUP.EXE
LXEGEN.EXE
LXINST.EXE
MULTICUR.EXE
NAMESCTL.EXE
native2ascii.exe
OBJECTS.EXE
oldjava.exe
oldjavac.exe
oldjavaw.exe
oldjdb.exe
omtsreco.exe
ONRSD.EXE
OO4OCODEWIZ.EXE
OracleAdNetConnect.exe
OracleAdNetTest.exe
oramts_deinst.exe
PARMODC.EXE
PARMOIP.EXE
policytool.exe
regsvr32.exe
rmic.exe
rmid.exe
rmiregistry.exe
serialver.exe
tnameserv.exe
TNSPING.EXE
unregbean.exe
unzip.exe
VARRAY.EXE
zip.exe

I here you. Thanks for giving the exe. But what angle should I be approaching this from?

ORIGINAL: StefStephens

I here you.  Thanks for giving the exe.  But what angle should I be approaching this from?


OK. With all due respect, I think we need to call a halt to this.

I don't do support for other organizations and I definitely don't do "Oracle9i for Beginners" training.

ORIGINAL: Qazmo
I don't do support for other organizations and I definitely don't do "Oracle9i for Beginners" training. Not for free, anyway :)