Separately install individual clients/servers for a single Gen .NET Application

Products

• Gen - Run Time Distributed
• Gen

Issue/Introduction

For a single Gen 8.6 .NET application installation is it possible to install the clients or servers or both (client/server pair) individually in a separate component/piecemeal fashion?
The future requirement is that when a part of the application is later updated only that part needs to be uninstalled/reinstalled rather than uninstalling the complete application and reinstalling the new version.

Environment

Gen 8.6 .NET Applications

Resolution

Yes a component/piecemeal type of install is possible.

Example model appname.ief has:
Client CLT1 PStep (Window Manager W1) calling Server PStep SVR1 (Server Manager S1)
Client CLT2 PStep (Window Manager W2) calling Server PStep SVR2 (Server Manager S1)

1. 1. Set the value of Model Generation Properties > .NET > Application Name 
      e.g. App1
      
      
      
      
   2. Build W1 and S1 and assemble together using:
      1. W1S1 for MSI Filename and Product Name.
      2. Set the Manufacturer Name e.g. Broadcom
      3. Create the 2 GUIDs.
         
         
         
      4. Install the resulting W1S1.msi file and the default install directory shows: C:\Program Files\Broadcom\App1\
         
         
         
   3. Similarly, build W2 and S2 and assemble together using:
      1. W2S2 for MSI Filename and Product Name.
      2. Set the Manufacturer Name e.g. Broadcom
      3. Create the 2 GUIDs.
         
         
         
      4. Install the resulting W2S2.msi file and the default install directory again shows: C:\Program Files\Broadcom\App1\
         
         
         
         
   4. 
      
      1. IIS shows the Application Name App1:
         
         
         
      2. The directory C:\Program Files\Broadcom\App1\ contains all the expected components:
         
         
         
      3. Under 'Control Panel > Programs and Features' each Product Name is visible:
         
         
         
         
         
   5. 1. Each product can then be uninstalled individually and then a new version installed.
         
         
      2. NOTE: If a .NET Server is involved then it is first required to shut down the Application under 'Component Services > COM+ Application' to avoid this COM Surrogate message on uninstall.
         
         
         
         
         
      3. In Gen Support's testing, shutdown of IIS prior to any uninstall/reinstall does not appear to be required.
         
         

The same technique can be used if installing just .NET clients or just .NET servers.

Additional Information

If no value of Application Name is set the default install destination directory defaults to using the Product Name per Gen 8.6 documentation page 'Developing > Working with Build Tool > MSI Assembling'