------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit README Version 4.01 - November 1997 ------------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1997 http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ieak Please refer to the IE4.txt online document that is installed with Internet Explorer 4.01 for the most current information on shell and browser issues. This document provides complementary or late-breaking information to supplement the Microsoft Internet Explorer documentation. You can also look at the Microsoft(R) Web site for the latest information. ------------------------ HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ------------------------ To view Ieakread.txt on screen in Notepad, maximize the Notepad window. To print Ieakread.txt, open it in Notepad or another word processor, and then use the Print command on the File menu. -------- CONTENTS -------- WHAT'S NEW FOR IEAK 4.01 -Active Setup (Plus Single-Floppy-Disk Install) -Security Zones -Webcasting Customizations -Active Desktop Customizations -Improved Browser Customizations -System Policies and Restrictions Management -Profile Manager -Code Signing Tools -HTML Parsing GENERAL SETUP REQUIREMENTS AFTER YOU RUN THE IEAK WIZARD FUTURE PLANS -16-bit/UNIX Packages KNOWN ISSUES ------------------------------- WHAT'S NEW FOR IEAK 4.01 ======================== Active Setup (Plus Single-Floppy-Disk Install) ---------------------------------------------- Active Setup provides some distinct advantages over previous installation methods. Internet Explorer is divided into components, and each component can be downloaded separately. In the case of a broken connection or transfer error, in most cases Active Setup will be able to resume where it left off. This implementation also provides for components to be dynamically updated. The newest components can be downloaded from Microsoft Web sites and then provided for your users. The IEAK will also create a single-floppy-disk install package for ease of distribution. For a full explanation on how Active Setup works and how to configure and customize it, refer to the Help documentation. Security Zones -------------- Internet Explorer 4.01 includes a new security feature called security zones. Security zones distinguish between Internet and intranet sites to allow for greater manageability. Four default zones are included with Internet Explorer 4.01: Intranet, Trusted Web Sites, Internet, and Untrusted Sites. Different security settings (high, medium, low, or custom) can be applied to each of these. The IEAK allows the corporate administrator to preset these settings. Additional security enhancements include customizable content ratings, site certificates, and Authenticode publisher certificates. The IEAK 4.01 includes the updated Authenticode version 2.0. Webcasting Customizations ------------------------- The IEAK allows customizations and restrictions of Internet Explorer 4.01 webcasting functionality including channels, Software Distribution Channels, and subscriptions. ISPs and ICPs have the ability to add one channel or channel folder, and delete any competing channels. Corporate administrators can completely customize the Channel bar. Software Distribution Channels allow ISPs and corporate administrators to provide automatic updates of software through the CDF format. For more information about webcasting technology, visit http://www.microsoft.com/ie. Active Desktop Customizations ----------------------------- The new features of Internet Explorer 4.01 are fully customizable via the IEAK. This includes desktop components, toolbars, and wallpaper. These settings may also be locked down so the end user cannot modify them. Improved Browser Customizations ------------------------------- All of the previous browser customizations from the IEAK version 3.2 are still available, and the following have been added: custom user agent string, browser toolbar background, and unlimited links (formerly there were only five "Quick Links"). System Policies and Restrictions Management ------------------------------------------- In both the IEAK Wizard and Profile Manager, corporate administrators have the ability to manage System Policies and Restrictions by using an easy-to-use interface. Some of these restrictions include Active Desktop and shell feature lock-downs, and also component settings, such as preventing users from placing calls from NetMeeting. Existing policy template files (.adm) can also be imported and applied, providing for one central administration tool. ISPs can also limit the webcasting bandwidth used by each of their users on the System Policies and Restrictions Management page of the IEAK Wizard. Profile Manager --------------- Profile Manager has expanded the capabilities of the INS Editor and now includes a tree-view pane that allows for easy access to all the options available in the wizard. Each option can be reached quickly, and the interface for making changes is as simple as the wizard. Profile Manager also has incorporated the System Policies and Restrictions management capabilities that are available in the wizard. Code Signing Tools ------------------ The package created by the IEAK wizard must be digitally signed in order for your end users to be able to install it. Tools have been included in the Resource Kit to allow you to do this. All .cab files, as well as IE4setup.exe, that are in the destination directory must be signed with the tools provided. For more help on digital signatures, refer to the Help documentation. HTML Parsing ------------ Any local HTML files specified in the IEAK, unless noted otherwise, will be parsed for tags. If the files referenced in these tags are in the same directory as the HTML file, they will be included in the package. References to files in another directory or external files will not be included. For all URLs specified, include the correct protocol (ex: http://). GENERAL SETUP REQUIREMENTS ========================== Before you can use the IEAK, you must install Internet Explorer 4.01. Before starting the IEAK wizard, calculate how much disk space is required for the components you want to install. If you plan to install all the components of the Internet Explorer suite, then you will need approximately 50 MB in the Program Files folder and 50 MB on the destination drive. For more information about the size of Microsoft components, refer to the Help documentation, under the References heading. AFTER YOU RUN THE IEAK WIZARD ============================= After the wizard has built your custom packages, you will need to make sure your users are able to gain access to the created package. For more information about file locations and server setup, refer to the Help documentation. FUTURE PLANS ============ 16-bit/UNIX Packages -------------------- The IEAK currently does not build packages for 16-bit or UNIX platforms. Future releases to accomodate these packages will run only on 32-bit platforms. KNOWN ISSUES ============ -The Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK) will not be available until October. This limits the IEAK to importing Beta CMAK Profiles. -5C DBCS characters cannot be used in file name edit fields. This will be fixed in a future release. -If you are using Automatic Configuration with an .asp file, the MIME type on the server must be set. -The color-depth of the background bitmap for the CD AutoRun program must be less than 24-bit. -If positioned too far to the bottom-right, Active Desktop components and the Channel Bar may be positioned off the screen when imported from a high resolution machine (1024x768) and installed on a low resolution machine (640x480). To correct, adjust the positions of these components on the machine you are importing from. Also note that importing Active Desktop components and the Channel Bar to higher resolution machines may cause these items to be repositioned. -Bandwidth issues should be handled via subscription restrictions and security zones settings. Channel restriction behavior may depend on these settings. -Desktop wallpaper can only be changed in the Profile Manager by importing the Active Desktop. Also, explicitly specifying desktop wallpaper in the wizard takes precedence over importing the Active Desktop. -Updates of desktop toolbars through automatic configuration is not supported.