Use the Server alias when you need to deploy a Cloudhouse Alchemy Compatibility Package to a specific folder on a specific computer for all users to use, and when all users should share the same Machine Registry Hive.
For example:
- Server-based applications such as three-tier applications.
- Server-based computing environments such as Citrix Virtual Apps (XenApp) and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services.
Info
If you are deploying to a machine (where a Compatibility Package needs to be deployed to a specific folder on a specific computer for all users to use, but when each user should have their own data stored in their own HKCU Registry Hive), then you should follow the instructions in the Deploying an Alchemy Compatibility Package to a Machine article.
Also, your source Compatibility Package is not modified when it is deployed.
Prerequisites
To deploy a Compatibility Package to a Server, you need:
- An account with Administrator access to the target computer.
- A valid Licensing Token within the Compatibility Package.
Process to Deploy a Compatibility Package to a Server
- Start a Command Prompt as the Administrator.
- Run the following command:
<path_to_package>\Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment.Exe /deploydir <target_path> /accepteula /deployalias server /<switches>
where:
- <path_to_package> is the path to the source Compatibility Package you want to deploy.
- <target_path> is the path to the folder on the destination computer you want to deploy the Compatibility Package to.
- <switches> are any optional command-line switches you wish to specify.
Important
The following command-line switches are required to deploy a Compatibility Package as a Server:
- /deploydir
- /accepteula
- /deployalias server
See Alchemy Compatibility Package Deployment Command-Line Options for details of the switches supported for deploying a Compatibility Package.
For example:
C:\Packages\ERP-v2\Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment.Exe /deploydir "C:\Program Files (x86)" /accepteula /deployalias server
Info
If you forget to add the /deployalias server switch, the Compatibility Package is deployed in the Machine context.
Also, commands can be run manually, as part of a build script executed by the Administrator, or a 3rd-party electronic software deployment (ESD) tool.
What happens during a Server Deployment?
When a Compatibility Package is deployed as a Server, the following occurs:
- Any AppRegistry keys in AppRegistry.xml will be written to the HKLM registry hive when the application is deployed. This hive will be accessible to all users of that computer.
- Any ComRegistry keys in ComRegistry.xml will be written to the HKLM registry hive when the application is deployed. This hive will be accessible to all users of that computer.
- Any redirections in Redirections.xml will be redirected to the HKLM registry hive. Any file type associations specified in FileAssociations.xml are created in the HKLM registry hive, to be accessible to all users of that computer.
- Any shortcuts specified in Shortcuts.xml are registered for all users of the computer. Any shortcuts with a path pointing to the user's desktop or Start menu, are translated to the equivalent of the All Users folder so they are accessible to all users on the computer.
- Any services specified in Services.xml will be registered to the Windows Services, to be accessible by all users on the computer.
- Any COM servers specified in ComDeployment.xml will be registered in the HKLM registry hive, to be accessible by all users on the computer.
Validation
When a Compatibility Package is deployed in the Server context, validations are performed to ensure that:
- A valid licensing token exists at the top level of the Compatibility Package.
- The AAV binaries exist in the Compatibility Package and all have the same version.
- The Compatibility Package binaries exist within the Compatibility Package and all have the same version.
- All required components exist in the Compatibility package.
- All XML files are valid.