This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to deploy the Senso Client package to multiple computers within a domain using Group Policy Object (GPO). This is useful for automatic installation across all computers in a specific Organizational Unit (OU) in Active Directory.
Prerequisites
- Administrative access to the server where Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) is installed.
- The MSI file must be stored in a shared network folder that is accessible by all target computers.
- AssignmentConfiguration.json stored in a shared network folder that is accessible by all target computers.
Step 1: Access Group Policy Management
- Open Group Policy Management Console (GPMC):
- Click on Start > Administrative Tools > Group Policy Management.
- Alternatively, you can type gpmc.msc in the Run dialog (Win + R) and press Enter.
Step 2: Create a New Group Policy Object (GPO)
- In the Group Policy Management Console, expand your domain by clicking on the + sign next to your domain name.
- Right-click on the Organizational Unit (OU) where you want to deploy the software, and select Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here
- Name the GPO: Provide a meaningful name for the new GPO, such as Software Deployment - [Senso.Cloud], and click OK.
Step 3: Add the MSI as a Software Package
- Right-click the newly created GPO and select Edit. This will open the Group Policy Management Editor.
- Navigate to the Software Installation Settings:
- In the Group Policy Management Editor, go to:
- Computer Configuration > Policies > Software Settings > Software Installation.
- Right-click on Software Installation and select New > Package.
- In the Open dialog box, browse to the shared network location where the MSI file is stored. Make sure to use a UNC path (e.g., \\server\share\Senso_Windows_Client_setup_x64.msi).
- After selecting the MSI file, you’ll be prompted to choose a deployment method: Choose Assigned and click OK.
Step 4: Creating your AssignmentConfiguration.json
- Download AssignmentConfiguration.json Right-click "here" select "Save Link As," and choose a location to download the file.
- Open the .json with a text editor such as notepad, replace the license key and site ID, in our example the license key will be configured as AAA-BBB-CCC with a site ID of DEF
RAW Text:
{
"licenseKey": "AAA-BBB-CCC",
"siteId": "DEF"
}
- You can find your licence key here: https://app.senso.cloud/admin-centre/licence
- You can find your Site ID here: https://app.senso.cloud/admin-centre/sites
- Save this edited file to your network share that is accessible by all target computers
Step 5: Assigning AssignmentConfiguration.json
- Right-click the newly created GPO and select Edit. This will open the Group Policy Management Editor.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration - Preferences - Windows Settings - Files
- Right Click within the files pane and select 'New - File' populating Source File with the location of the hosted file and destination where we would like it be to copied to:
Source File - \\SERVERNAME\DataShare\2.0 Deployment\Configuration\AssignmentConfiguration.json
Destination File - C:\Program Files\Renato Software\Senso.Cloud.Client\Configuration\AssignmentConfiguration.json
Step 4: Link the GPO to the OU
If you didn't link the GPO to an OU when you created it, you can do so now:
- Right-click the OU that contains the computers you want to deploy the software to.
- Select Link an Existing GPO..., then select the GPO you created.
Step 5: Force Group Policy Update
To ensure the policy is applied immediately, you can force a Group Policy update on the target machines:
On the Target Computers:
- Run gpupdate /force in the Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator.
- Restart the computers to trigger the software installation.