Software Packaging
Workstation applications for centrally managed Windows, Linux and Mac workstations are mostly installed by automated software deployment when the same application is wanted for multiple workstations. Applications need to be prepared for this by Aalto IT in a process called software packaging.
If you want a new or updated application to be available on our deployment system for multiple workstations, and it has a license for multiple workstations or it is free:
- Check that the application is not yet available (Windows, MacOS, Linux)
- Check that there are no restrictions to use the new application. More information from: Licenses and license procurement-page.
- If the installation needs to be made with specific non-default options, take exact notes of these. Find out where the installation media and possible instructions can be downloaded from and what (if any) accounts need to be used for accessing them.
- If the installation requires media, setting or license files or longer installatation instructions that IT cannot download directly, copy these to the network share \\work.org.aalto.fi\common\software-upload\your_username\application_name. You can create those folders yourself.
- Fill out the software packaging request form using the information collected in steps 2 and 3. If you are doing this for the first time, read the tips that appear when moving the mouse on [?] on different fields of the form. When you have filled out and sent the form, a new ticket will be created to our eSupport system, and you will get an automatic reply in your e-mail. Aalto IT will put the task in a job queue after checking out the filled information.
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Make the request in good time in advance, preferably a month in advance. Aalto IT cannot always prepare the package with only a couple of days notice. Packaging requires special skills and the amount of work varies greatly depending on the application. You must always make the request by filling out the form. This is because we are then more likely to get all the information needed to create the desired package, and also able to prioritize the job queue.
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Related instructions
Self-service portal for requesting Windows software installations
Self-service portal is a service where you can request software installations made available by IT to your centrally managed Windows workstation. Some requests need to be approved due to licensing or other restrictions.
Software installations for Aalto Linux
On a personal research workstation or laptop, if you are marked as primary user of the machine, you can install software from Aalto repository with your normal user rights.
Aalto Mac: application distribution (Managed Software Centre)
You can install or remove optional programs on an Aalto Mac through application distribution of the Managed Software Centre.