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Deploy a Custom Package Using a CD-ROM or Network

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You can distribute the custom browser package that you created with Windows® Internet Explorer® Administration Kit 8 (IEAK 8) either with a CD-ROM or from a shared folder on your network. For more information about distribution media options, see Media Selection.

Distributing the package using a CD-ROM

To create a CD version of the package, copy everything from within the <systemdrive>:\Builds\<build_number>\CD subdirectory into the root directory of the CD. The root directory of the CD contains the Win32 subdirectory, Autorun.inf, and a setup file. If you enabled a splash screen to appear when the user inserts the CD, users will be given the choice of installing your custom browser or viewing more information. If Internet Explorer 8 is already installed, the autorun program detects it. The browser appears in kiosk mode with a release notes file loaded. For more information, see CD Autorun Customizations.

Distributing the package using a network

If you chose the File option on the Media Selection page of the Internet Explorer Customization Wizard 8, IEAK 8 creates a \Flat subdirectory within the \Builds folder. This subdirectory contains the setup file, IE8setup.exe, which can easily be copied to a shared network resource. You can then give your users a link to the Setup file.

Signing your custom packages

Internet Explorer has security features that help protect users from downloading harmful programs. Depending on the security level and the version, the user may be prevented from, or warned against, downloading programs that are not digitally signed.

The custom .cab files created by the Internet Explorer Customization Wizard 8 should be signed, unless you preconfigure your users' local intranet zone with a security setting of Low. Any custom components you distribute with your browser package for these platforms should also be signed.

Note

For more information, see Certificates, Digital Signatures, and IEAK.

File names

You might need to change the case of file names for files posted on a UNIX File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. Below are the conventions you should use for specific UNIX operating systems.

  • Solaris UNIX. If you are using a case-sensitive UNIX FTP server, you must make sure that your .cab folder is not capitalized. The following file names must be capitalized: BRANDING.CAB, CUSTOM.CIF, DESKTOP.CAB, IE.CIF, IECIF.CAB, and IE8SITES.DAT.

  • AT&T UNIX. All file names must be capitalized on an AT&T UNIX FTP server.

  • IRIX UNIX (Silicon Graphics). The following file names must be capitalized: BRANDING.CAB, CUSTOM.CIF, DESKTOP.CAB, IE.CIF, IECIF.CAB, and IE8SITES.DAT. You should also use a text editor to modify the file names listed in IE.CIF to match the case of the files.

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