State-Driven Software Installation for Windows NT

We have implemented a state driven installation mechanism to simplify the installation of software under Windows NT. We have a ``central configuration database'' which defines the target state of the machines, e.g. a declarative definition instead of an operational definition. We describe the procedure used to install the packages and some related issues concerning software delivery; software configuration; and the actual software installation for workstations components and user components. Partial details of our implementation of System V packaging is included in the Appendix.