Configure the Agent installer to run unattended

Overview

This article applies to PMC v4.0 and older.

You can configure the Agent installer to run attended and silently.  This process relies on the Agent installer using a Response File, which stores the necessary information that is typically customized during a standard installation process.   

Example of a Response File:

If you want the Agent service to be configured and started automatically at the end of the unattended installation, you will need to store the service credentials in the Response File.   Credential information is not encrypted in PMC v4.0 and older.   Therefore, for security reasons, make sure you delete the Response File after the installation successfully completed.

Step-by-step guide

To configure the Agent installer to run unattended and silently:

1. Using a text editor, create a new text document called ResponseFile.varfile.  You may also download it from here:  ResponseFile.varfile

2. Add the following lines to the Response File:

   CODE

   sys.programGroupAllUsers$Boolean=true
   sys.programGroupName=Peer Software\\Peer Agent
   sys.adminRights$Boolean=true
   sys.installationDir=C\:\\Program Files (x86)\\Peer Software\\Peer Agent
   providerHostname=Hub_Server
   brokerPort$Integer=0
   providerPort=61617
   myServiceAccount=domain\\user_account  
   ServicePassword1=password
   ServicePassword2=password

3. Customize the fields as necessary:

   Variable	Description
   sys.programGroupAllUsers$Boolean=	Specify whether or not you want the Agent to be installed for all Users.  Specify true or false.
   sys.programGroupName=	Enter the Program Group in which the application will be installed.  Be sure to use double backslashes. For example:  Peer Software\\Peer Agent
   sys.adminRights$Boolean=	Specify whether or not the installation will require admin rights.  Specify true or false.
   sys.installationDir=	Specify the installation directory.  Be sure to use double backslashes. For example:  C\:\\Program Files (x86)\\Peer Software\\Peer Agent
   providerHostname=	Enter the name of the server where PeerGFS is running.
   brokerPort$Integer=	Specify the TCP protocol that the Agent will be using:     0 = SSL     1 = TCP
   providerPort=	Identify the port number the Agent will be using to communicate with the PeerGFS.
   myServiceAccount=	Provide the service account information for the Agent service using the following format:  domain\\user_name
   ServicePassword1=	Enter the password for Agent service account.  This will be stored in plain text format.
   ServicePassword2=	Re-enter the password for the Agent service account.  This will be stored in plain text format.

   

   • Use double backslashes wherever backslashes are needed as outlined in the examples.
   • If the service credentials are not provided, the Agent service will not start at the end of the installation.
4. You can place the Agent installation file and the Response File in a central location accessible by all the systems where the Agent will be installed.  This will cause the installation to take place over the network and may be slow.  Alternatively, you can distribute the Agent installation file to all systems where the Agent will be installed while keeping the Response File in a central location for security reasons.

5. Run the following at the command prompt or via a script on each of the systems where the Agent will be installed (make sure you run the script or command line as an administrator):

   To run silently without the progress indicator: 

     Agent_Installer.exe -q -varfile "\\Location\To\The\ResponseFile.varfile"

   To run unattended with the progress indicator:

     Agent_Installer.exe -q -splash "Agent Installation" -varfile "\\Location\To\The\ResponseFile.varfile"

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