Benefits of a SAS Software Depot

The main advantage of a SAS Software Depot is realized when it resides on the network at a location that you can share access to. When it is shared, a depot provides a faster and more reliable means of installation compared to traditional removable media (cartridges, CDs, DVDs, and so on).
Shared SAS Software Depot Model
Shared SAS Software Depot Model
If you have remote sites running SAS without access to the network on which your depot resides, you can use the SAS Deployment Wizard to create your own SAS media image to write to the removable media of your choice.
Here are some other benefits of using a SAS Software Depot:
  • centralizes SAS orders
    The depot enables you to place multiple SAS orders in one location to simplify initial SAS deployment and future maintenance.
  • makes applying maintenance and upgrades easier
    You need only to download the changed depot files instead of having to download an entire SAS order.
  • saves disk space
    Storing multiple SAS orders in a single depot saves disk space because any content shared between SAS orders is not duplicated, but rather shared, in the depot.
    A single depot in SAS 9.4 can store SAS installation data files for more than one operating system, making the single, multi-system SAS 9.4 depot cumulatively smaller than the multiple, single-system depots in older versions of SAS.
  • saves download time
    Because there is a shared copy of common files, the single, multi-system SAS depot requires smaller amounts to download.
  • organizes license keys (also known as SAS installation data files)
    The depot enables you to place SAS installation data files in a standard location to better associate license keys with their corresponding SAS orders. (These SAS installation data files are stored in the sid_files directory, directly under the depot’s root.)
  • identifies multiple SAS orders
    The depot supports the SAS Deployment Wizard’s feature that enables you to customize order descriptions and enter notes to better identify multiple SAS orders residing in a single depot.
Because depots contain your personal SAS order, it is important to use the following best practices for securing and backing up your depot.
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Last updated: August 1, 2017