.NET Framework prerequisite inclusion

[micamoita]

Hello,

I have a question regarding .NET framework inclusion as a prerequisite inside a setup package.
What is the difference between a normal inclusion (let's say ".NET Framework 3.5 SP1") and its "web install" one?
What exactly gets included in the package in one case and the other?
What is the use that is made of the URL specified in the "Main Setup File" section of the "Setup Files" tab inside the Packages' .NET Framework entry? Is that exe downloaded and included in the package or is it simply a reference to the url that is called when the setup is run?

Thank you for your help!

Michele

[mihai.petcu]

Hi Michele,

A web installer is a small EXE file which downloads features on demand at install time. A regular installer includes all features in it.

An URL prerequisite will download the installer at install time from the specified URL. A package prerequisite includes the prerequisite installer as part of the main installer, making the whole package larger in size.

For example if you select ".NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (web-installer)" and answer "Yes" when prompted to "Download prerequisite and include in package?", it will be added as a package prerequisite. This means that the small EXE web installer will be included as part of your main installer.

All the best,
Mihai