d7x is integrated with Ninite (currently it is called Ninite Pro Classic at the time of this writing, though the specific name for this version of Ninite has changed as their product line and functionality have evolved.) Specifically, d7x integrates with the Ninite version that is a single/portable EXE capable of downloading/installing/updating all software supported by Ninite through command line arguments. Note that this is NOT the EXE that you configure/create via their website with pre-configured apps/actions, as these EXEs are not capable of utilizing the full complement of Ninite commands that can be passed to the now “classic” version of Ninite Pro. You should still be able to find this “classic” EXE under your account on their website.
Setup d7x and Ninite
Manual drop-in support: NinitePro.exe can be located ANYWHERE in your .\3rd Party Tools directory. d7x will actually search the path and subdirectories for NinitePro.exe and use the newest file found matching that filename.
Configure Ninite download: You can configure d7x to automatically download your licensed copy of Ninite from your Google Drive account or a self-hosted FTP server when it doesn’t already exist in your .\3rd Party Tools directory. Visit the d7x Config > Apps/Functions tab > Integrated Apps tab to configure (see pic below.)
Google Drive Integration
- This first option takes precedence over the self-hosted FTP option (if configured.)
- This will download your ZIPPED Ninite EXE/folder from Google Drive. To prepare, manually zip the folder with your preconfigured (and licensed) copy of Ninite inside.
- IMPORTANT: You MUST upload your Ninite ZIP file to Google Drive through the “Upload NinitePro” button on this page, otherwise d7x will not have access to download it (d7x can only access files on your Google Drive that were uploaded by d7x itself!) See the Google Drive Integration page for more info. Once initially uploaded by d7x, you may replace the file with a new “version” (in Google Drive terminology) without disrupting d7x access to the file (provided you did NOT delete the existing d7x-uploaded file from Google Drive first, instead you must upload a new “version” of the file!) In this way you can manually keep your ZIP updated as necessary outside of d7x.
- Simply click the “Upload NinitePro” button and d7x will also fill in the filename field for you after successful upload. If manually filling out for some reason, ensure that the FILENAME ONLY appears in this field (the path is configured elsewhere, see below.)
- The path on your Google Drive where the Ninite zip file will be stored is configured on the d7x Config > Apps/Functions tab > Google Drive Integration tab.
Self-Hosted FTP Server
- This second option is used if Google Drive is not configured or fails to download.
- This will download your ZIPPED Ninite EXE/folder from a self-hosted FTP server. To prepare, manually zip the EXE file or an entire folder with your preconfigured (e.g. licensed) copy of Ninite inside.
- Configure the “FTP Path/File” field with the full path to the file on your FTP server relative to the user’s home directory (e.g. /Apps/NinitePro.zip)
- Use the “Upload NinitePro” button to upload to the configured FTP path, creating any directories as necessary.
Configure Ninite through d7x
Visit the Maintenance > Ninite Pro Classic Configuration tab to get started with Ninite configuration.
Once Ninite is either configured for download or already located in .\3rd Party Tools, you can click the “Refresh Apps List” button to generate a list of all apps supported by Ninite, and this will populate the fields on the Ninite tab in d7x (until you do this at least once, the fields in d7x are blank.) The apps list is saved with your d7x configuration so you only need to use the “Refresh Apps List” button if you are using a newer version of Ninite that may support additional apps not already on the existing apps list in d7x.
On the left, you have the typical additional options you can pass to the Ninite EXE, and at the bottom a checkbox exists to Merge Results into the [d7x] Work Report.
You will notice 4 columns listing the same apps in each one. These are separate configurations that exist for both servers and workstations, as well as a separate configuration for new installations vs. updates.
- The first two configuration columns are used for workstation/all PCs, and the second two columns are used for server OSes only.
- One column (for both workstations and servers) is the Install/Update column. Checked apps in this column will be installed if not installed already, or they will simply be updated if already installed.
- The other column (for both workstations and servers) is the Update Only column. Checked apps in this column will NOT be installed if they aren’t already installed, but they WILL be updated if already installed.
- Select an app in each column, and when satisfied with your selections, be sure to save this configuration to your d7x Auto Mode profile using the “Auto Mode Profiles” drop down button at the top right of d7x.
Running your Ninite Configuration
Click the “Run Ninite Pro” button at the bottom right of this tab to run this configuration.
You may also add the option to run Ninite in d7x Auto Mode by placing the d7x function anywhere in your d7x listboxes on the main d7x tabs (e.g. the Maintenance tab.)
- To get started, right-click in a listbox on the desired tab in d7x and select the last option to add an app/function to the list.
- In the floating window that pops up, search “All d7x Functions” for “Ninite” and you will see a d7x function (currently named “Run Ninite Pro Classic Config” or similar.)
- Use the right mouse button to drag and drop this item onto your desired listbox in the main d7x window, and from there you can position it with the Down/Up buttons below the list.
- Once added to that d7x listbox, it can be used with d7x Auto Mode to automatically execute the configuration without having to revisit the Ninite tab again.