Command-Line Parameters Which Support Connection Manager Profile Installation Procedures (266793)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 Option Pack
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q266793

SUMMARY

Command-line parameters are used to support the installation of profiles that are created using the Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK). There are several command-line parameters that administrators may use to install CMAK profiles on client computers to prevent user-interaction (also known as silent installations).

MORE INFORMATION

Connection Manager profiles can be delivered to users in the following ways. Administrators can:
  • Distribute and install the Connection Manager service profile over a corporate network using Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). With SMS, the process is automatically completed without user intervention.
  • Integrate the Connection Manager service profile with another product's installation package and install them both in a single process.
  • Post the Connection Manager service profile to a Web site. The administrator can specify installation options which enable users to access and install service profiles in a standard way.
The Connection Manager installer (Cmstp.exe) is included in each compiled service profile. The installer supports command-line parameters which do the following:
  • Install a service profile.
  • Remove a service profile.
  • Remove the Connection Manager software.
An example of the format for command-line parameters for Cmstp.exe is:

For Win2000:

c:\winnt\system32\cmstp.exe "C:\Program Files\CMAK\Profiles\Test\test.inf"


For Win9x,WinME and WinNT:

c:\windows\system32\cmstp.exe "C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\cm\test.inf"

Install Parameters such as /ni and /s etc... should follow \cmstp.exe.

ServiceProfileFileName.exe/q:a /c:"cmstp.exe ServiceProfileFileName.inf Parameters"

where:

  • ServiceProfileFileName is the name of the service profile you build with the CMAK Wizard.
  • The optional parameter /q:a suppresses the prompt that asks users if they want to install the profile. It also suppresses error messages and animations, and assumes that users either have local administrator rights or are performing an SMS installation.
  • The command /c:cmstp.exe tells the extraction program to override the installation defaults.
  • ServiceProfileFileName.inf is the full path to the file (for example, C:\Temp\ServiceProfileFileName.inf).
  • Parameters are the command-line commands supported by the Cmstp.exe installer.
NOTE: The placement of the command-line parameters is critical. All command-line parameters placed outside the quotation marks ("") in the above example apply to the self-extracting, self-installing file (in this example, ServiceProfileFileName.exe). All command-line parameters placed inside the quotation marks apply to the CMAK installer, Cmstp.exe.

The following additional parameters are supported:
  • /ni - Do not create a desktop icon (valid only on Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0). The desktop icon is the only method Connection Manager provides to enable users to delete a profile. If you use this command-line parameter, you must provide users with a different way to delete the service profile, such as an Add/Remove Programs script or program. See the /u parameter for information about how to delete a service profile using a program.
  • /ns - Do not create a desktop shortcut to the connection in the Network and Dial-up Connections folder (valid only on Windows 2000). Unless the silent install switch is also specified, this only overrides the default user preference, so the user still sees the check box on the user interface. The first time a user installs a profile, the desktop icon is not displayed (by default). The user's preference is stored in the registry and is used for each subsequent installation.
  • /nf - Do not install the support files. CMAK automatically incorporates the required support files (.dll files) in each service profile if the service profile contains the Connection Manager software. If you distribute a Connection Manager service profile separately from the Internet Explorer installation package, you can use this option to prevent the support files from being installed. Use this option only if you are sure your users already have the required support files on their computers (that is, if they already have Windows 98 or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.02 or later, or equivalent, installed on their computers).
  • /s - Install silently. This option allows automatic installation of the service profile without requiring user interaction to complete the installation. This option must be included to prevent the profile from starting up on the desktop after the installation is complete.
  • /I - A combination of the /nf and /s parameters. This option is used by the Internet Explorer Administration Kit to install a Connection Manager profile as part of an Internet Explorer installation package.
  • /su - Install for a single user (valid only on Windows 2000). This option allows automatic selection of the single-user installation option. If this option is used, the user does not have the option to install the software for use by all users.
The parameters supported for uninstalling are:
  • /x - Uninstall Connection Manager. When this parameter is specified, no other parameters can be specified.
  • /u - Uninstall the service profile. The only other parameter that can be used with this parameter is the /s parameter, which allows the service profile to be automatically uninstalled without requiring user action. When you specify both the /u and /s parameters, the format is:

    ServiceProfileFileName.exe /q:a /c:"cmstp.exe ServiceProfileFileName.inf /u /s"

If you do not specify parameters for the Cmstp.exe file, the following defaults are used:
  • On computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0, any support files included in the profile are automatically installed with the profile, and a desktop icon is created. The profile starts upon installation.
  • On computers running Windows 2000 as an administrator, the software is installed for use by all users. Support files or Connection Manager software included in the profile are not automatically installed with the profile.
  • On computers running Windows 2000 not as an administrator, the installation is not silent. The software is installed for use by a single user, and support files or Connection Manager software included in the profile are not automatically installed with the profile.
NOTE:
  • To display help for command-line installation parameters, type cmstp.exe /?.
  • Installations on Windows 95 and Windows 98 clients need to be restarted. To configure the computer to do this silently after the installation of the profile, add the /r:is command-line parameter outside the quotation marks so that it applies to the self-extracting profile. The above example would be modified as:

    ServiceProfileFileName.exe /q:a /r:is /c:"cmstp.exe ServiceProfileFileName.inf Parameters"

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/18/2006
Keywords:kbinfo KB266793
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