Software Deployment : Why do Managed Installs repeat and overwrite existing installs of the same?

Why do Managed Installs repeat and overwrite existing installs of the same?

This same issue occurs on my PC's as well as Macs. We're starting to use Kace to manage the Macs now so this issue is focused on Mac today.

How can I deploy software via managed installs without it overwriting itself?

Example: This morning I deployed Adobe Flash Player 18 via the steps below. I forced inventory on a test Mac and the software deploys successfully in Kace, but I still see version 17 in the Library..Internet Plug-Ins folder. My Chrome browser reports v18 is installed, but the other Flash update for Safari and Opera doesn't deploy.

This Mac is 10.10.3

Downloaded flashplayer_18_ppapi_debug.dmg from Adobe (14.6MB)

Created a Software entry for it and Uploaded the dmg to that entry

Created a managed install

Kace says it installed, but I don't see version 18 on my Mac. See screenshots below.

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I understand what you mean, but at the moment, the machine I'm testing has both 18 and 17 installed. Adobe offers 2 separate installs. One for Safari and Firefox (NPAPI) and one for Chrome and Opera (PPAPI). I have v18 installed for Chrome\Opera and I created a seperate deployment for the Safari\FF install. So a label would mean this machine is still getting the deployment. Since it needs it, I need to figure out how to get both plug-ins installed and then not install them again.

I see what you're saying about the criteria causing it to run again. I thought that installs were meant not to run if software is already installed regardless of the label or deployment. So I will be testing and adjusting for that. But I'll still need to get both plug-ins.

I do appreciate the help. - murbot 8 years ago

Answers (2)

Posted by: jknox 8 years ago

Does the software inventory item for your managed install have an uninstall string or custom inventory rule? If not, you will need to give it a custom inventory rule.

The K1000 uses one of those things to determine if the software is installed or not. If it has nothing to go on, it will keep installing on each check in.

Comments:

This sounds like a promising option. There is no uninstall string. For the moment, I'm assuming this is because the software item in the catalog was created\uploaded manually rather than pulled into inventory by a Kace inventory check on a client that has Flash Player 18 installed.

I actually first ran this with the CIR below, but I'm certain my path syntax is incorrect and\or incomplete. Any idea what the correct CIR would be. This is my first CIR on a Mac.
FileVersionLessThan(Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins\Flash Player.plugin, 18)

EDIT: The FileVersionLessThan CIR isn't compatible on Macs. I'm testing the other possibilities. - murbot 8 years ago
- I missed the Mac part, pretty sure software doesn't have an uninstall string there. I'd still guess that the software isn't detected properly and that a CIR will solve this. If not, enable debug, gather the logs and submit a support ticket. - jknox 8 years ago

Posted by: rockhead44 8 years ago

Do you see the software following the next inventory? That what I have to do with Managed Installs to see the software reflected in the inventory.

Comments:

Yes and No. That's the problem. I'll configure the package and then force inventory on the test machine. The software will install. When the next inventory is run, the software appears to be installed a second time and the first install is removed. - murbot 8 years ago
- How are you determining that the software is being installed a second time? From the Managed Installation logs? - rockhead44 8 years ago
  - It's the red scores through previous installs shown in the first pic in my OP. My understanding is that the red scores indicate a change to that software. Since only one deployment was created, I'm confused as to why they are being displayed this way.
    
    I'm not yet familiar enough with with the logs on a Mac to know where to check other than looking a file itself.
    
    Chrome is using v18 FP plugin, but Safari is still using 17.0.0.188. - murbot 8 years ago
  - Would you have better luck creating a Smart Label showing machines without Flash 18 and targeting them for your MI? Just a thought... That way the same machines won;t be staying in your MI. - rockhead44 8 years ago
  - Chrome should be using its own version of Flash, not the one installed by Adobe. - chucksteel 8 years ago
Chuck,
You are correct sir!! My Chrome\Opera (PPAPI) install has 18 and Safari\FireFox (NPAPI) is 17. Adobe offers downloads for both. Safari's is the version I'm attempting to deploy. I'm hoping the CIR will work. - murbot 8 years ago

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