Configuring software packages

The following procedures describe how to add software packages, which users will download to and install on devices. They also cover how to edit and delete software packages.

NOTE: Software packages are associated with device types. Therefore, be sure to set the context to a specific device type or to a device of the type you want to work with before continuing.

All configuration tasks for managing software packages begin with the Software Packages dialog. To open this dialog, locate the System Configuration tasks on the Action pane's Configuration panel and click Manage software packages.

Open the Software Packages dialog and click Add

to open the Software Package dialog. Complete the fields, and click Add to save and close. After a few moments, the new software package is listed on the Software Packages tab of the Software Packages dialog.

Best Practice for testing and locking software packages

We strongly recommend that, after adding a software package but before making it available to users, you test it with local devices in the "lab" to make sure it will process correctly. Edit it as necessary, and when you are satisfied that it is ready, lock it (see Editing a software package, next) to ensure that it cannot be modified after users have started disseminating it to devices..

NOTE: You can edit a software package only if you have not yet locked it (which we recommend doing once it is ready for dissemination to devices; see the Best Practice above.)

To edit a software package, set the context to the device type associated with it and open the Software Packages dialog. Select the software package you want to edit and click Edit

to open the Software Package dialog. Use the same techniques as described above. Additionally, if you intend to now lock the software package (making it no longer editable), select the Locked check box. (Once locked, a software package cannot be unlocked.) To save your changes, click Save.

To edit a software package, set the context to the device type associated with it and open the Software Packages dialog. Select the software package you want to add extended properties and switch to the Properties tab. Click Add

to open the Extended Property dialog. Type a name for the extended property and type its value. When finished, click Add.

To delete a software package, set the context to the device type associated with it and open the Software Packages dialog. Select the software package you want to delete and click Delete

. In response to the confirmation message that opens, click Yes.