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Internet Explorer Administration Kit


Internet Explorer Administration Kit

The Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) enables organizations to create and distribute a Web browser that reflects the specific needs of their organizations and end users. With the IEAK, corporate administrators can create a hands-free customized installation of Internet Explorer 4.0.

Key Features of the IEAK

  • Customize the look and feel of the browser. Administrators can create custom, branded versions of Internet Explorer 4.0, with a custom logo, title bar, preloaded Channels and Favorites, and Start and Search pages.

  • Preconfigure and remotely manage all options for end users. All user settings in Internet Explorer 4.0 can be preset by the administrator, ensuring consistent deployment and use throughout the enterprise. After the user options are set and the browser is distributed, administrators can still manage all Internet Explorer options.

What are the Benefits of the IEAK?

  • Easy deployment. The IEAK automates the time-consuming process of deploying and configuring browsers on users’ desktops, enabling them to create a hands-free installation solution for their users.

  • Simple remote management. The IEAK also gives administrators the control to manage all browser settings on the desktop. Once configured, browser settings can be managed and automatically updated from a central server, providing a self-maintaining browser. This way, when a news server or a proxy server changes, it is unnecessary to visit every computer in the enterprise to update the software.

How does the IEAK Work?

To create a customized version of Internet Explorer, an administrator runs the IEAK wizard. The wizard creates a hands-free Internet Explorer installation program that users can run to install Internet Explorer with the specified options. The IEAK also creates a master settings file (Install.ins) that contains company-wide browser customization settings. Administrators can also provide user-specific options that are updated when an individual user installs the customized package. Configuration options can be set at an individual, group, or company-wide level.


The IEAK Wizard


Using the IEAK wizard, administrators can customize the following options for their users:

  • Internet Explorer Start and Search pages. Specify Start and Search pages to internal Web sites. For example, the Start page could point to a departmental page, and the Search page could point to an internal search tool.

  • Subscribed channels. Restrict which channels users can subscribe to, and provide custom internal channel options right on the desktop.

  • Preloaded Favorites list. Preload links and folders according to project, department, division, job category, and so on.

  • Internet Explorer title bar. Specify the text that you want to appear in the title bar of Internet Explorer. For example, this could be a company name or a division or department name.

  • Custom logo. Replace the static Internet Explorer logo with the company or product logo.

  • Custom command folder. Roll out any internal programs or custom command scripts at the same time that you install Internet Explorer. If you add other self-extracting programs to the package, you can specify the command line to extract them. Or, you can run simple maintenance commands, such as setting the user’s clock or running virus-checking programs.

  • Internet Explorer add-ons. Specify which Internet Explorer add-ons you want, including Outlook Express, NetMeeting, and NetShow. For Outlook Express, you can specify user or group settings for POP3 and SMTP protocols and server domain, specify the Internet News server and whether the server requires the user to log on. Plus, you can include a newsreader signature file to attach to all messages that users post to Internet newsgroups. For example, you could create a standard disclaimer that the opinions expressed are the user’s own and not representative of a corporate position.

  • Other installation programs. You can include up to two other self-extracting utilities or programs in the Internet Explorer installation package, and give users the option to install them at the same time as Internet Explorer.

  • Target language. Specify the language version of Internet Explorer. You must run the IEAK wizard once for each language you want to create. (Each language ships on a separate CD-ROM.)

  • CD AutoRun application customization. Create a CD-ROM/Network AutoRun program that could be used in the deployment of your product.

  • Option settings. Preset all of the option settings for the end user.

    • General settings. Preset multimedia, color, and toolbar settings.

    • Connection. Specify proxy settings for addresses, ports, and exceptions that will enable your customers to connect to the Internet via a proxy server, or set dial-in phone number settings.

    • Security. Preconfigure users’ permissions for downloading code such as Java applets, ActiveX controls, and scripts, and the preferred level of security for the different types of code. Also, you can preset users’ PICS ratings configurations to meet your corporation’s policies.

    • Advanced Options. Set which warning messages to show, cache settings, and enable or disable additional settings, such as the JIT compiler or stylesheets usage.

    • Restrictions for Options dialog box. After you’ve configured the options, you can control which options a user can adjust and which are locked.

    • Installation directory settings for hands-free installation. Select the folder in which you want the Internet Explorer installation program to save the files. For example, you can specify your own folder, or you can install into the Program Files folder.

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Last updated: Tuesday, April 29, 1997