How to Deploy SharePoint WebParts

There are several ways to skin the Webparts deployment cat, each with a few pluses and minuses. Thanks to Mark Harrison we have have a quick and pragmatic list of the options, complete with instructions.

Method 1 - manual

• Copy assembly DLL to either
  - /bin directory for a given IIS virtual server (e.g., c:\inetpub\wwwroot\bin)
  - Global Assembly Cache (e.g., c:\windows\assembly)


• Copy DWP file to C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\wpcatalog


• Copy resources to
  - For GAC-registered parts, C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\wpresources
  - For Web Parts in the /bin directory, C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\wpresources


• Adjust web.config
  - Register as SafeControl
  - Select Code Access Security settings

Method 2: CAB File

• CAB file should contain
  -Assembly DLL
  -DWP file(s)
  -Manifest.XML
  -Resource files (if needed)
• CAB won't contain
  - Code Access Security settings


• Server-side object model has methods for deploying such a CAB file


• Deploy with STSADM.EXE
  Located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\60\BIN
  Add it to your path
  Stsadm -o addwppack -filename filename [-globalinstall] [-force]

Method 3: MSI File via WPPackager

• All of the features of CAB file deployment, but with
  - Code Access Security support
  - Ability to uninstall via Control Panel


• Get WPPackager.exe


• Add additional files to project for use by WPPackager


• Run WPPackager after project is built