Description
Server MSI is the process of the removing all the client infrastructure from a windows server and
re-installing it from the ground up. It is used as a last resort to fix issues which are otherwise extremely
challenging to diagnose. The process takes a significant amount of time and due to its complexity it is
prone to human errors and missteps.
The Challenge
Automating this process is a challenging task because:
- It is sensitive and slight misstep can result in significant issues later on.
- It touches a lot of different aspects of a Windows server application.
- It requires human authentication to start.
Utility and Benefits
With all its challenges, automating this process provides the following benefits:
- Significantly reduces downtime for the client.
- Speeds up the process end-to-end.
- Greatly reduces the chance of human error.
- Reduces the technical expertise required to perform the process. The process becomes viable for Lean Six
Sigma.
Process Steps
- Backup all the required data.
- Take a snapshot of the server and set a recovery point.
- Rollback all enhancements to client server.
- Uninstall application core.
- Clean up registry.
- Reset reporting and monitoring services.
- Setup login authentication as a failsafe.
- Reboot the server.
- Reinstall the application core.
- Push all enhancements.
- Remove all process related changes made before reboot.
- Restore the data.
- Verify that the process was done correctly.
Results
- Process downtime reduced by 70%.
- Total monthly service downtime reduced by 20%.
- Manual work required during the process reduced by 95%.
- Error rate reduced by 95%.