Add a task to push third party software

You can add a task to push software onto devices. This enables you to have N-able N-central download and launch software to ensure all devices have a specific or common set of software.

When you add a Push Third-Party Software task, you can select the software from any of the following locations:

  • The N-able N-central repository
  • Your local system
  • A network share

Third-party software must use InstallShield, MSI, or Wise installers. N-able N-central can access the install software from its repository, your local computer, or a network share.

Requirements

If you use filters for a task, N-able N-central uses a snapshot of the filter for the targeted devices to include in the task. This avoids potential unexpected behavior when running tasks in the future. If you need to apply a task to devices, it is best to use a scheduled task profile. This enables a task to apply to the devices using a rule.

  • When selecting the location of the third-party software, the file must be in the root of the UNC path listed in the default network share or use a custom network path that has the file in the root of that UNC path.

  • Ensure that the Scheduled Tasks option enabled on the device. To verify, select the device and click the Settings > Properties tab and check the Enable Scheduled Tasks option.

  • When N-able N-central pushes software or runs a script, the ADMIN$ share is used as a location to place the installer or script before execution. If Windows File Sharing is not enabled, this can prevent the task from sending the file.

  • The agent and probe must have access to the ADMIN$ share on the system to transfer the required script or installer. Domain Admin account typically has the required access.

How to add a task to push third party software

This procedure can only be performed at the Service Organization level or Customer level.

File names for installers or scripts cannot contain spaces.

  1. Click ConfigurationScheduled TasksAdd/Delete.
  2. Click Add > Push Third Party Software.
  3. Enter a Task Name.
  4. Click Save.

The scheduled task is saved to the repository. N-able N-central runs the task at the configured time. When complete, and if configured to do so, N-able N-central sends a notification to the selected recipients in the format defined by their user profile.

If you choose to edit the task, the edits may not be applied to the task if it has been initiated. Edits are applied to completed tasks only if they are recurring tasks.

When you run the task it runs under the Local System in the background; any user prompts will not be seen by the user. If the script or application requires user input, the task will timeout.

N-able N-central will not verify if the files to be installed are harmful to the target devices. Test any third party software before associating them with a scheduled task.

Considerations

  • N-able N-central does not verify syntax and command line parameters of scripts or MSI/EXE installers to ensure that they are correct. You must validate scripts and MSI/EXE installers before using them in scheduled tasks to ensure that they will function properly.

    Command line parameters for MSI installers must be in the format of: <filename> </i or /u> </additional parameters>. For example, MyInstaller.msi /i /qn. The following examples are invalid: MyInstaller.msi /qn or /i MyInstaller.msi /qn.

  • If you are installing an MSI file that contains transforms stored in a MST file, the command line parameters must be in the following format:

    <filename> </i or /u> </additional parameters> TRANSFORMS=<parameter file name>
    For example, MyInstaller.msi /i /qn /norestart TRANSFORMS=filename.mst

  • If the installation of software requires user input, it must be specified in the Command Line Parameters field when the task is created.
  • If restarting your computer is required after the installation of software, you must do this manually or specify it in a script.
  • N-able N-central provides a combined total of 500 MB of storage for the script and software repositories.