Installshield Location after running docker image

[maverickabhi199]

Hi All,
I am using "Building InstallShield projects via Docker Container" and facing an issue after running the image. The container exits after it starts and hence can't access the folder in the container. 

I am trying to use Github Action on the windows-2019 server.

Below are the commands I am using:

1. docker pull flexerasoftware/installshield:sab2020r1
2. docker run -v "${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}\:C:\MyData" --mac-address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX --name installshield flexerasoftware/installshield:sab2020r1 "C:\MyData\build_x64_installer_travis.bat" ${GITHUB_RUN_NUMBER}
3. docker cp installshield:"C:\MyData\setup_x64.exe" "${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}\WindowsInstaller\Installers"

After step 2 container should be up and should be accessible.

Also, I wanted to understand how this docker image installs the Installshield on the server?

As per "https://community.flexera.com/t5/InstallShield-Knowledge-Base/InstallShield-StandAlone-Build-with-Docker/ta-p/127060" I need to copy license.lic to Installshield location which I can't find.

"docker cp license.lic <CONTAINER-ID/CONTAINER-NAME>:C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield\<IS-VERSION>\System\"

InstallShield StandAlone Build with Docker 

@installshielder  

[varul]

Hi @maverickabhi199 

 License.lic file wont be available by default, you need to generate license file from product and license center with valid license in your account,

Please reach out to the support team who will be able to help you with this activation or license issue -

you can contact them directly via phone using number provided at this link: they will help you to solve this quickly.

https://community.flexera.com/t5/Support-Information/Support-Contacts/ta-p/94720

Alternatively there is an online chat available (Need to activate Let's chat) which you can find in a clickable box image on the right hand side here

https://community.flexera.com/t5/InstallShield/ct-p/InstallShield

[maverickabhi199]

@varul I have the license.lic with me. Issue is with starting the docker container and getting the Installshield installed with the docker image.

[varul]

@maverickabhi199 : 

Im not sure what you are passing in below properties  and from where you are getting this values,

${GITHUB_RUN_NUMBER}, ${GITHUB_WORKSPACE} <IS-VERSION>

As per your command, it looks like you are pulling image from git flexera repository, You can try below command and check it works or not.

https://hub.docker.com/r/flexerasoftware/installshield/tags

docker pull flexerasoftware/installshield:sab2021r1

docker run -it -v "C:\Data:C:\Test" flexerasoftware/installshield:sab2021r1 cmd

copy server.ini "C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield\2021 SAB\System\"

or use below command for license file license file 

copy license.lic "C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield\2021 SAB\System\"

Hope you have already installed docker desktop exe and you have switched it to windows container, 

https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/

[maverickabhi199]

When does this "C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield\2021 SAB\System" path is created?
I have docker and other things installed on my machine. I am not able to find this path. Is it created in the container?

[varul]

Installshield Installdir will be created after pulling the image from docker hub successfully in to container.

Yes, the path is created under the container. 

After running below step the path will be created,

docker pull flexerasoftware/installshield:sab2021r1.

If you are installing installshield using installshield EXE, not pulling from flexera/installshield docker hub,

Then you need to follow below KB steps, if you use this steps, then the path will be created after runinng your docker file successfully. 

https://community.flexera.com/t5/InstallShield-Knowledge-Base/InstallShield-StandAlone-Build-with-Docker/ta-p/127060

[maverickabhi199]

Thanks @varul , this helped a lot.
Any idea why the docker container is exiting after running for some time?

Basically, I am able to create the setup using Installshield now in a container and I need to copy that setup back to the host machine in another script. Before calling this script the container is exiting and I can't copy the setup anymore to the host machine.

[varul · Accepted solution]

Hi @maverickabhi199 :

If you are using script to build make sure your script is not exiting after running, Or do it manually step by step as mentioned in KB article. Make sure all your script running in same session, if close and open the session then new container will be generated. 

start existing container with interactive session:
========================================

docker start 86b619f5a427 -i

docker start <Container_ID> -i

Command to get container ID:
========================

docker ps -a

[maverickabhi199]

I am using script @varul . Although I tried with a simple script and the container still exits. 

Sample script: test.bat

echo "test 60"
timeout /t 60

The container exits in 10 seconds. I can't do it manually as I am implementing this in CICD