Client side installations can be done in a few different ways. I don't
think there are any standard approaches since installation processes
are so diverse.
I think the most standard approach to client side execution would be
to use a Java Web Start infrastructure to run an installer on the
client. Java web start uses an xml file (.jnlp) on a web server that
specifies a java main class and a set of dependent jar files. When the
link is clicked in a browser a client side java app (javaws) is run
that downloads your jnlp file and then each of the dependencies and
caches them on the client. Your main is then run and can do whatever
the security specification in the jnlp file says. Your jnlp file would
specify your 3rdparty exe/dll dependencies so they would get
downloaded to. All jars must be signed. Your main would just have to
execute the installation file.
An alternative would be to sign your applet so that it can gain access
to the clients machine. Then you can write the code to do the download
of the 3rdparty installation dependencies and execute them on the
client side.
So we are comparing "learning web start" with "coding the download of
binary files". It should work either way.
Alternative 1:
It sounded like you goal was to demo a 3rdparty tool to your boss' but
that tool needed client side installation.
Instead of implementing a download and run process, what about
implementing a remote connect and run remotely process. Not sure what
the performance or graphical considerations might be.
So one possible way to do this would be to add to your web page the
VNC applet, run a VNC server on your the machine with the 3rdparty
installation. Let the bosses connect and run the app.
This would have to be one run at a time of coarse if this is a windows
server. If the 3rdparty tool supports a unix deployment then VNC
sessions would run in parallel.
Alternative 2:
Setup a demo lab with a couple of machines. Record a movie demoing of
the app and send it out with an invite to come visit the lab to play
in person if they are interested.
On 3/5/07, James Taylor <newbie30@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Is this possible.
My initial searches haven't turned up much - but I don't have very strong
google powers.
If this is possible, is there any generic source code that anyone has
squirreled away?
Thanks in advance,
James
Background: I'm now under the belief that the project that I'm working on
requires a pre-installation of the entire toolkit before the java applets
provided are actually able to be used. If I was able to deploy over the net
all of the prereqs then I'd be sitting a lot prettier in my boss' eyes.
--
Ed
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