Q. Performing a silent installation - AutoPIPE


Document Information

Document Type: TechNote

Product(s): AutoPIPE, AutoPIPE Nozzle, PULS, PlantFLOW

Version(s): V8i

Original Author: Jeremy Hoesly, Bentley Technical Support Group

Overview

Some users want to automate the program installation so that it can be performed from the command line instead of via the graphical installer. This is especially useful to system administrators when installing a program on multiple computers. Historically, the products have used InstallShield installers which can be automated using a response file. However, the products are moving to WiX installers which are easier to automate. Instructions for both installer types are provided below

AutoPIPE 23.00 and Higher

AutoPIPE uses a WiX installer. To perform a silent installation, extract the contents of the package to the BentleyDownloads folder. Then run Setup.exe with switches from a script or the Command Prompt as needed.

To change default installation directory, use the "InstallDirectory" switch as recommended below:

AutoPIPE VersionDescription
23.00.00.230 and higherSetup.exe InstallDirectory="C:\Bentley\Autopipe v12"

Notes

1: DO NOT use a backslash (\) at end of folder path when path is enclosed in commas ("").

2. Installation support all other Setup.exe switches.

3. See bottom of page for other installation options.

AutoPIPE 9.6.1 and 12.08.xx

AutoPIPE uses a WiX installer. To perform a silent installation, extract the contents of the package to the BentleyDownloads folder. Then run Setup.exe with a switch from a script or the Command Prompt

To change default installation directory, use the "InstallFolder" switch as recommended below

Notes

1: DO NOT use a backslash (\) at end of folder path when path is enclosed in commas ("").
2: There is an issue in AutoPIPE 9.6.1 installer. Please check this wiki for workaround.

AutoPIPE 9.5 to 9.6

AutoPIPE uses a WiX installer. To perform a silent installation, extract the contents of the package to the BentleyDownloads folder. Then run Setup.exe with a switch from a script or the Command Prompt

Please note that the AutoPIPE Preview Handler component still displays a graphical installer even when executing the Setup program silently. To prevent this from occurring, edit the Setup.xml file. Add a /q switch to line 67 or 68 so that it appears like the following:

<ExecutionCommand Value="msiexec.exe /q /norestart /i &quot;[CurrentFolder]\System\AutoPIPE Preview Handler Setup.msi&quot;"></ExecutionCommand>

The AutoPIPE Nozzle component included with AutoPIPE 9.5.1.x also displays a graphical installer even when executing the Setup program silently. To prevent this from occurring, edit the Setup.xml file. Add a /v/quiet switch to line 82 so that it appears like the following:

<ExecutionCommand Value="&quot;[CurrentFolder]\APNozzle\Install\Setup.exe&quot; /v/quiet"></ExecutionCommand>

Additional Comments, Questions, and Answers:

Item #1: How to silently install AutoPIPE V8i 09.05.xx.xx?

Item #2: How to silently install AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.01.xx

InstallShield installer

AutoPIPE (9.4 and earlier)

PCF translators, STRAIT translator, ADL Pipe translator, AutoPIPE Nozzle, PULS, and PlantFLOW use InstallShield installers. These installations can be automated using a response file.

A response file contains answers to the installation dialogs presented during a graphical installation. To create a response file, first extract the installation files for the program, and quite the graphical installer. Then open an administrator command prompt, navigate to the install directory in the extracted location, and run setup.exe like so:

setup.exe /r /f1%userprofile%\Desktop\setup.iss

The graphical installer will appear. The /r switch will record the responses given during this installation. By default, the response file, setup.iss, will be saved in the Windows directory. The /f1 switch given above will save the response file on the desktop instead.

Once complete, move the setup.iss file to the install directory. To silently install the program, open an administrator command prompt, navigate to the install directory, and run setup.exe like so:

setup.exe /s

The /s switch will use the setup.iss response file when performing the installation. Please note that some installation windows may still appear momentarily, but no interaction from the user should be required.

Important: If running the silent installation command from a script, also add the /sms switch to the command above. This will pause execution of the script until the installation is finished.

Following are some steps composed for an Installshield based installer:

1) Copy AutoPIPE installer to a local drive. Say c:\APInstaller\

2) Go to command line

3) Go to AutoPIPE Installer folder - say cd c:\APInstaller

4) Run AutoPIPE installer in recording mode, do specify a path for the answer file.

setup.exe -r -f1 "c:\APInstaller\setup.iss"

Refer to developer notes for more information on available switches!

5) Now once the installation has completed, you will have an answers file generated on the specified path

"setup.iss"

6) You can use this answer file to supply as an argument running the installer again on any other machines in silent mode.

setup.exe -s -f1 "c:\APInstaller\setup.iss"

Notes: 

1. Available Installshield Setup Silent Installation Switches for AutoPIPE

2. Setup.exe command line parameters are not case sensitive; upper case or lower case letters can be used.

3. Separate multiple command line switches with a space, but do not put a space inside a command line switch (for example, /r /fInstall.ins is valid, but not /r/f Install.ins).

4. AutoPIPE Nozzle uses an installshield based installer. It can support silent install but for AP Nozzle you will have to record an answer file and then supply this file during installation.

Additional Comments, Questions, and Answers

Item #1: What is the best way to install / deploy Bentley CONNECT via SCCM package when the application is also inside of AutoPIPE's install Bundle?

Item #2: How to perform a direct MSI installation of AutoPIPE v.11 and higher?

Item #3: Create a Deployment image

Item #4: Update / Installing AutoPIPE without updating Connection Client

See Also

Download, Install, Release Note information

Bentley AutoPIPE