Using a SAS Software Depot
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008Saw a problem note about installing SAS Web OLAP Vewier over on the SAS Support site.
The interesting thing was the recommendation to create a SAS Software Depot (SSD) to do the install, rather than installing from CD.
I have to say that a software depot does make installs much easier (and quicker). Effectively when you create a Software Depot it copies all the install CD’s to a hard drive, in a format that you can install straight from the hard drive (and never have to put in a CD again 
As part of the install from the Depot the install wizards ask what components you want installed, and you can point it at your setinit to only install what you are licensed for, magic!
Only downside is that the Software Depot often conatins all SAS products for all operating systems so can be very large. For example a full depot using a SAS internal setinit (i.e all products and all platforms) comes out at a whopping 35GB.