Sophos Deployment Packager for creating Windows installers

Question

The 1.2 deployment packager has the following short comings. 
 
 The GUI version does not provide a GUI during install 
 There is no automatic update option after install 
 
 How have other user worked around these issues? 
 What other issues have users experienced with this tool? 
 
 Thanks, 
 Doug

VoicuChirtes · Answer

Hi Doug, 
 
 I think QC covered this pretty well, and just to add to that and address your specific points. 
 See my answers below 
 VCU said: 
 
 When an installer from SDP is used there is no easy way to tell the install completes. This means the tech using the installer will not know when to restart the computer.
 
 The tech using the installer can tell when it completed successfully in a number of ways actually: bootstrapper logs (%temp% folder), msi logs (Windows temp directory), Windows Event Viewer, there is also a visual Windows/Toast notification when installation is complete. The reboot might be required upon successful updates, this can also be verified locally on the client in the Sophos Endpoint Security and Control -> Updating->View Updating log. If a restart is required, you will see a warning in there advising on this.

It does not provide an update option at the end so full install to save network bandwidth does not easily complete the process.
 
 SDP DOES provide the option to include the full package or get them via AU. It also provides ways to configure updating using RMS or manually to specify the Update locations.

The with GUI option does not really provide a GUI
 
 If you mean here the Installation type, the options actually provide the following: 
 
 silent - no GUI, silent install 
 non-interactive - GUI showing progress with no Cancel option 
 interactive - GUI showing progress with Cancel option 
 
 There are no other configurable options since the design of the tool is to provide "no-configuration-required packages". You could use the standalone installer if you are looking for this.

VCU said: 
 
 Off site full install of Sophos 
 on site install of Sophos 
 
 As explained, SDP should allow you to configure full packages for both of these scenarios.

Here is a detailed KB on SDP: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/67504.aspx 
 and here is one on setting up remote/home users: https://www.sophos.com/es-es/support/knowledgebase/63182.aspx 
 
 Please let us know if you had any additional questions. 
 
 Good day 
 V