SharePoint WSP Solutions and Features Deployment using STSADM, PowerShell

In this article I'm documenting the Deployment of WSP files using STSADM and with the PowerShell.

Before we begin, Its a good idea to add STSADM's path ("C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\BIN\") to the environment variable "Path". It saves the typing :-)
and of course, its a good idea to have a Batch file for these activities.

It includes following steps:

• Step 1: Add Solution to SharePoint Farm
• Step 2: Deploy Solution
• Step 3: Activate Solution features

Add the solution:
stsadm -o addsolution -filename <Path to the WSP file> say for eg. "C:\Deployment\myWSP.wsp"

Deploy the solution:
stsadm -o deploysolution -name <Path to the WSP file> -immediate -allowgacdeployment  -url <URL>   say for e.g. "C:\Deployment\myWSP.wsp"

On installing/Activating/De-Activating/Uninstalling the Features, following command shall be used:
stsadm -o installfeature -filename <FeatureFolder>\feature.xml

Activate the feature:
stsadm -o activatefeature -id <FEATUREID> -url <URL> -force

Deactive the feature:
Stsadm.exe -o deactivatefeature -filename “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\FEATURES\MyFeature\feature.xml” -url <URL>

Uninstall the feature:
stsadm -o uninstallfeature -filename “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\FEATURES\MyFeature\feature.xml”

Please note: if you are deploying a feature alone(with out WSP) you need to deploy the feature in ALL of the WFE's.

Retract Solution:
stsadm -o retractsolution -name <Name of the solution>

The GUI way:
Navigate to Central admin > Operations > solution Management

Select your WSP file to deploy, click on "Deploy solution", click "OK" that's All!

Here is the PowerShell way:
Fire the SharePoint 2010 Management Shell and type the following commands:

TO Add a New WSP:
Add-spsolution <Path to the WSP file> say for eg. "C:\Deployment\myWSP.wsp"

To deploy the WSP:
Install-spsolution –identity <Path to the WSP file> –gacdeployment

Deploy the WSP for a specify a URL:
Install-spsolution –identity <Path to the WSP file> –webapplication http://spsite –gacdeployment

In SharePoint 2010:
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Navigate to : Central Administration > System Settings > Manage Farm Solution

Select your WSP file to deploy, click on "Deploy solution", click "OK" that's All!

Here is the Technet article for the complete reference:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc263231%28office.12%29.aspx