How Can I Silently Install an NI Package Manager Feed?

This article describes how to silently register and install NI software through an NI Package Manager feed. It goes over the process of adding the package(s) to the feed and refreshing the local package listing cache from the subscribed feeds. It also has information about how to silently install NI Software through a batch file that can be used in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.
In addition to this document, the following introductory topics from the NI Package Manager Manual may be helpful:

• Understanding packages and creation 
• Understanding package distribution and feeds

If you want to create a customized installer to install a specific list of NI software consider using NI Package Builder instead.

Please note that there is no way to install all packages in a feed just by knowing the feed URI. However, you only need to specify the name(s) of the top-level package(s) in the feed, and NIPM will automatically also install all dependencies, recursively. If you include the --include-recommended flag on the nipkg.exe install command, it will additionally install all recommendations as well. 

 

Add Feed from a Local or Network Directory

1. Use a PC with the desired software installed to Create a Custom Feed in NI Package Manager .
2. Either copy the Feed Folder to the target system or ensure the files are in a network location that target systems can access.
3. Make sure NIPM is installed on the target. If not, either download and install from the Package Manager Download Page, or follow the steps in this article to install it silently: How Can I Silently Install NI Package Manager?
4. Open Command Prompt, or create a batch file with the following commands:

cd C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager
nipkg.exe feed-add "<file path of feed>"
nipkg.exe feed-update
nipkg.exe install <Package name(s)> -y --accept-eulas

Make sure to change "<file path of feed>" to the file destination of the feed folder. This destination can be a local or network directory. If you want to install multiple packages just place the names of the packages separated by a space.
You can also give your feed a custom name. Make sure to create a simple feed name with no symbols or spaces. In the below example "NXG3feed" is used.

Example:

cd C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager 
nipkg.exe feed-add --name=NXG3feed "C:\feeds\NXG3"
nipkg.exe feed-update
nipkg.exe install ni-labview-nxg-3.0.0 -y --accept-eulas 
pause

Add Feed from URI

1. Make sure NIPM is installed on the target. 
2. Open the Command Prompt, or create a batch file with the following commands:

cd C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager
nipkg.exe feed-add <URI>
nipkg.exe feed-update
nipkg.exe install <Package name> -y --accept-eulas

Example:

Additional Information

SCCM Usage: Create a Batch File Application in SCCM

You can distribute the suggested batch file above through SCCM by creating a Batch File Application or Package. Further information is provided in the System Center Configuration Manager Documentation (external links):

• Software Distribution Overview
• Packages and programs in Configuration Manager
• Create applications in Configuration Manager