Ref: over-the-air instalation

 

Installing Apps Wirelessly
iOS 4 supports over-the-air installation of enterprise applications, allowing you to distribute in-house software to your users without having to use iTunes or iPhone Configuration Utility.
Requirements
■ A secure web server accessible by authenticated users ■ In-house iOS app in .ipa file format ■ An XML manifest file, described in this document ■ A network configuration that allows the device to access an iTunes server at Apple
Installing the app is simple. Users download the manifest file from your website to their iOS 4 device, which instructs the device to download and install the apps referenced in the manifest.
You can distribute the URL for downloading the manifest file via SMS, email, or by embedding it in another enterprise app you’ve created.
It's up to you to design and host the website used to distribute apps. You need to make sure that users are authenticated, perhaps using basic auth or directory-based authentication, and that the website is accessible via your intranet or the Internet. The app and manifest can be placed in a hidden directory, or in any other location that's readable using HTTP or HTTPS.
Preparing an Enterprise App for Wireless Distribution
To prepare your enterprise app for wireless distribution, you build an archived version in the form of a .ipa file, and a manifest file that enables wireless distribution and installation of the app.
In Xcode, you create an app archive using the “Build > Build and Archive” menu item. Then, in the Archived Applications source in Xcode's Organizer, select the app and click the “Share Application...” button. Then click the “Distribute for Enterprise...” button. You’ll be asked to provide information for the manifest file, whichXcodecreates.Seebelow,forinformationaboutthemanifestfile. Formoreinformationaboutbuilding and provisioning apps, see the iOS Dev Center.
Deploying Apps 7 2010-11-15 | © 2010 Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.Item
Description
URL
The fully qualified HTTP or HTTPS URL of the app (.ipa) file.
display-image
A 57 x 57 pixel PNG image that is displayed during download and installation. Specify the image's fully qualified URL.
full-size-image
A 512 x 512 pixel PNG image that represents the app in iTunes.
bundle-identifier
Your app's bundle identifier, as specified in your Xcode project.
bundle-version
Your app's bundle version, as specified in your Xcode project.
title
The name of the app, which is displayed during download and installation.
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CHAPTER 1
Distributing Enterprise Apps for iOS 4 Devices
About the Wireless Manifest
The manifest is a file in XML plist format. It's used by an iOS 4 device to find, download, and install apps from your web server. The manifest is created by Xcode, using information you provide when you share an archived app for enterprise distribution. See "Preparing an Enterprise App for Wireless Distribution" (page 7)
A sample manifest plist is included at the end of this document. The following fields are required:
Optional Keys
There are optional keys that you can use, which are described in the sample manifest plist. You can use the MD5 keys if your app file is large and you want to ensure download integrity beyond the error checking normally done during TCP communications.
Constructing your Website
Upload these items to an area of your website that your authenticated users can access: ■ The app (.ipa) file
■ The manifest (.plist) file
Your website design is up to you. It can be as simple as a single page that links to the manifest file. When users tap the web link, the manifest file is downloaded, which triggers the download and installation of the apps it describes.
Here is an example link:
<a href="itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=http://example.com/ manifest.plist">Install App</a>
Don't add a web link to the archived app (.ipa). It's downloaded by the device when the manifest file is loaded. Although the protocol portion of the URL is itms-services, the iTunes Store is not involved in this process.
Setting Server MIME Types
It may be necessary to configure your webserver so that manifest and app file are transmitted correctly.
Deploying Apps
2010-11-15 | © 2010 Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CHAPTER 1
Distributing Enterprise Apps for iOS 4 Devices
For Mac OS X Server, add the following MIME types to the MIME Types settings using Server Admin:
application/octet-stream ipa text/xml plist
For IIS, add the MIME type in the Properties page of the server using IIS Manager:
.ipa application/octet-stream .plist text/xml