This howto is all about how to create and configure a silent installation package to distribute the ica client. For this example we used the current ica client 9.230.

Most of the people in the field already now this method to create ica client installation package(s) but those who are new to Citrix could find it usefull. You can distribute it by a policie in active directory for example.

Before you start you have to download the ica32pkg.msi file from www.citrix.com (downloads > clients > windows client 32bits or 64bits).

Now open a command prompt and browse to the directory you placed the file ica32pkg.msi in. Use the command "MSIEXEC /A ICA32PKG.MSI" to open the packaging wizard. See figure 1

Figure 1

Pres Next to continiue. At figure 2 you will get to choose from 3 options

• uncompressed - all source files are copied to the directory
• compressed - source files are compiled into cabinet files and copied to the directory
• single windows installer file - a single windows installer file containing all the source files is created in the directory

We used option 3 this means the creation of a single msi file with all option preconfigured.

Figure 2

At figure 3 you can choose what you want to install. We decided to not install the Citrix Program Neighborhood Agent.  If you however configure this you have to enter a valid url were the client can contact the interface in the citrix environment. 

Figure 3

Figure 4 speaks for itself, in what program directory do you want the shortcuts to be placed. This will reflect on the clients all programs\citrix\ etc. 

Figure 4 

At figure 5 you can choose if you want to use the machine or user name to use this name in the citrix environment. 

Figure 5

At figure 6 you can choose if you want to use the passthrough authentication or not. Default it is set to "No". 

Figure 6

At figure 7 you can choose if the client will be able to use the quick launch bar and if the user will be able to create custom ica connections. If you do not want the user to be able to create custom ica connections unmark this option and pres next.  

Figure 7

At figure 8 you get the question if you want to overwrite the excisting client software. You can choose to upgrade or downgrade the excisting installed package.

Figure 8

At figure 9 you see the options that will be visable to the user once the installation packages is distributed to a client machine.

Figure 9

TIPS:

1: Do not remove all the display boxes. As you can see at figure 9 I left the Welcome, Progress and Finish splash screens. You could remove the finish.. BUT do not remove the progress bar. A user can think.. hmm nothing happens if you distribute it over a network share were a user has to click on and after a few seconds the user will double click again and again and again and imagen what happens to your network.

2: Remove old installation first. If a msi installed program detects it is altered it will try to repair it self. well the effect will be that the installation is upgraded then imediatly downgraded cause the msi installation detects changes.

Have fun with this howto again. You can use it for yourself print it / email it but please tell were you found it.. here on datacrash :)