Pismo Self Mounting Installer/Executable
Pismo Self Mounting Installer (SMX) is a technology that
facilitates distribution of large multi-file applications and
install packages as a single executable file. Unlike existing
self extraction technologies, SMX allows the contents of
the executable package to be used without requiring extraction
to a temporary folder in the users file system.
Self mounting packages are created using ptiso
to create a Compact File Set with a special
executable stub incorporating Pismo File Mount
technology. Ptiso and the needed self mounting stub files are
included in Pismo File Mount Audit Package.
The stub files included in PFMAP require that PFMAP is installed
in order to function. Stub files are available for use in
commercial applications that work independently of PFMAP. Refer to
Pismo File Mount Licensing for
information regarding licensing and support in commercial
applications.
Features
- Compression
- File splitting/spanning
- Password based strong encryption
- Digital signing for software distribution
Compression indexing, choice of ZIP or LZMA compression
algorithms, and configurable compression frame size, allow
optimization of performance and package size.
SMX packages can be signed using the same Authenticode
certificates and signing tools used for Windows executables
and CAB files.
The Pismo File Mount Audit Package is distributed as a self
mounting installer. Users that have installed PFMAP have
already seen SMX in action, but probably did not notice it.
Benefits over existing technologies
-
Improved user experience. User does not have to wait for
extraction before installer or application starts.
-
No extra extraction related UI or dialogs. All users see is
the packaged application or installer.
-
On-the-fly package authenticy checks eliminate verification
pass through package.
-
Faster install times due to eliminated extraction time and
authenticy check.
-
Better compression in many cases.
-
Reduced hard drive space required during installation
processing.
-
No temp folder cleanup required after exit.
-
No performance penalty for including optional files in package.
Files that are not used by the application or installer are never
read from the package.
-
SMX packages can be converted to an ISO file and burned to CD/DVD
media.
Documentation
The needed stub files are installed to the Pismo File Mount Audit
Package program folder, typically
c:\Program Files\Pismo File Mount Audit Package . Ptiso is
installed to the Windows folder and can be run from the command
prompt. Syntax help for ptiso is provided at the command prompt.
More documentation on SMX will be available in the future. Users
are encouraged to send inquries to Pismo Technic Inc. support
with questions and feedback regarding SMX.
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