APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION WITH MICROSOFT APP-V

Robert Bourque Senior Support Specialist Aran Gilmore Senior Support Specialist

AGENDA
Installing the App-V Management Server Important information for SQL Admins and Systems Administrators Installing the App-V Client Sequencing an application Scripting with App-V Real world comparison Potential future uses

SIMMONS COLLEGE
Small liberal arts college in Boston, MA near Fenway Park Roughly 1800 undergraduate and 2800 graduate students Approximately 1800 computers in classrooms, labs, and staff/faculty 75% PC (Dell) / 25% Mac Including two dual boot classrooms and 15 dual boot public space computers Roughly 6000 users total

App-V Components
App-V Client This is the application that runs on the end-user computer to contact the server and provision the applications Sequencer This refers to the machine on which you sequence the applications. This computer should be as basic an installation of the OS as possible App-V Management Server

Installing App-v Management Server

To be provided to SQL administrators Installers\Server\Management\Support\SQLS erver\CreateDB\Create_Tables.bat Server\Management\Support\SQLServer\Cre ateDB\Create_Schema.bat Name of AD group that is going to be the AppV administrators Name of the server where App-V Management Server will be installed

Installing App-v Management Server

To be returned to the App-V administrators Name of the database server or instance and the name of the App-V database Once the database has been prepared, the AppV administrators can run the App-V installation without SQL administrator privileges.

Sequencing Overview
Copy the application installer locally to the App-V sequencer Start the sequencer Start Monitoring
Install the application Test the application Configure any settings (if required)

Stop Monitoring Test the virtual application Save the package and upload to the App-V Server

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.1

The Welcome Screen is new in App-V 4.6 and provides quick access to the common tasks of creating, editing, and upgrading a package.

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.2

Creating a package starts with providing information about the package. The picture and table below describe the different options that are available.

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.3

When advanced options are selected in the package information screen, the Sequencer will be presented with options for Microsoft Update and Rebasing DLLs.

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.4

Monitor Installation

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.4.1

Applications that require a reboot Some applications will require a reboot of the operating system after installation to accommodate files that are in use during installation that need to be replaced. The Sequencer is aware of reboot tasks and the operating system will not need to be rebooted.

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.4.1

While sequencing an application that requires a reboot, perform the following tasks: When prompted, select to reboot. The Sequencer will capture this request and the machine will not restart. Next select Stop Monitoring from the Sequencer. Then select Begin Monitoring again. All of the reboot tasks will be processed once the Sequencer starts monitoring again. Proceed with additional installations or click Next if no additional installations are required for the package.

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.5

Configure Applications

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.6

Launch Applications

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.7

Package Deployment

App-V Sequencing Guide

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide Chapter 8.8

Saving the Package

App-V Sequencing Guide

Sequencing Web based Applications and Plug-ins

Internet Explorer is NOT supported as a sequenced application. However, you can sequence plug-ins or ActiveX controls for Internet Explorer.

Sequencing Web based Applications and Plug-ins

Begin the normal procedure for sequencing an application. When it comes time to install the web app, install it normally via a package or go to the appropriate Web site to get the app. On the Configure Applications page of sequencing add a shortcut and point to the local Internet Explorer (i.e. C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe). After the Iexplore.exe enter the web site that you want to launch (i.e. http://www.microsoft.com). Finish sequencing the package normally.

Sequencing
When you save your package you will have several files. The following is a list of those files and descriptions of each of them.

App-V Sequencing Guide

Installing the App-v Client

Software Deployment Must install prerequisites first. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0 SP1 Microsoft Application Error Reporting

Installing the App-v Client

Group Policy Startup Script Silent switch automatically installs prerequisites. Appv_client_setup.exe /s /v/qb For setting communication, client interface, and permissions preferences (including the definition of a publishing server) you can use command line parameters, run a .reg file, or a GPO. Group Policy Preferences

Scripting within App-V

Script Timing and Events PRE STREAM POST STREAM PRE LAUNCH POST LAUNCH POST SHUTDOWN

Scripting within App-V

Script Timing and Events continued Protect Protect=TRUE (script runs inside virtual environment) Protect=FALSE (script runs outside virtual environment) Timeout Timeout=xx (wait xx seconds for script to complete before reporting error) Timeout=0 (wait indefinitely for script to complete)

Scripting within App-V

Script Timing and Events continued Wait Wait=TRUE (wait for script to complete before continuing) Wait=FALSE (do not wait for script to complete before continuing)

Scripting within App-V

Scripts can be written in any language but their language must be installed locally on the client machine. For example if they are using PERL, the PERL runtime must be locally installed on the client machine.

Scripting within App-V

There are two different methods for running scripts. The <SCRIPTBODY> tag and <HREF> tag: HREF Normally used when executing a single command SCRIPTBODY Used when needing more complex operations and/or multiple commands to be run.

Scripting within App-V

<SCRIPTBODY> Can call non-executable commands (md) Creates a temporary script on the client, which executes and is then deleted Uses escape ( \ ) character DOS window appears

Scripting within App-V

<HREF> Used to call direct executables (xcopy) No non-executables permitted Command is executed directly on the client No DOS window appears

Scripting within App-V

OSD scripts can be useful for administration and are sometimes needed to get an application to function properly. Example 1: Abort launching the virtual application if certain conditions are/are not met (i.e., Specific computers, time range, etc.).

Scripting within App-V

This example runs an external batch file to make sure the computer name is allowed to run the application.
OSD File: <DEPENDENCY> <SCRIPT TIMING="PRE" EVENT="LAUNCH" PROTECT="TRUE" WAIT="TRUE" TIMEOUT="10" SUCCESSRESULT="1" ABORTRESULT="0"> <HREF>\\APPV\Content\ALTOVA\cname.bat</HREF> </SCRIPT> </DEPENDENCY> Cname.bat: IF %COMPUTERNAME:~0,8% == LEF01201 exit 1 IF %COMPUTERNAME:~0,8% == LEF01202 exit 1 IF %COMPUTERNAME:~0,8% == LEF01203 exit 1 IF %COMPUTERNAME:~0,8% == LEF01204 exit 1 IF %COMPUTERNAME:~0,8% == LEF01205 exit 1 exit 0 ::Computer name must be in caps

Scripting within App-V

OSD XML Syntax Check To check the XML format of an OSD file, change the .OSD file extension to .XML and drop the .XML file into an Internet Explorer window. If there are any open or missing tags the file will not be displayed. Note: XML file editors such as XML Notepad can also be used to check XML file format

Real world Comparison GPO software distribution v. App-V

March 2008 need to deploy new Meeting Maker version
Server/Client functionality requires that the versions of both be made live at the same time. Packaged installation of specific application version as an msi. Deployed via Group Policy Software Installation Required at least one reboot initiated by the user, and in some instances two or three.

Real world Comparison GPO software distribution v. App-V

March 2009 need to deploy new Meeting Maker versionagain Created a GPO to deploy the App-V Client This was done more than a week prior to the Meeting Maker deployment. Sequenced the application, configured it in the App-V Management Console. Tested the deployment to a limited user group (Helpdesk)

Real world Comparison GPO software distribution v. App-V

Once server had been made live, we simply checked the box to publish the application to the user group Domain Users The following morning users found a shortcut on their Desktop and Quick Launch tray for the new version of Meeting Maker App was loaded the first time its opened Network traffic was monitored and no issues were found

Future Implementations
Frequently updated software General Access Software especially apps specific to a room Apps that faculty requestafter the semester has started Class/department specific software that will be able to follow the user to any PC on campus.

Resources
Prescriptive Guidance for sequencing Microsoft Office 2007 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939796 Prescriptive Guidance for sequencing Microsoft Office 2010 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983462 Application Virtualization Documentation http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/cc843994.aspx How to Configure the App-V Client Registry Settings by Using the Command Line http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843710.aspx Application Virtualization Client Installer Command-Line Parameters http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843737.aspx App-V Administrative Template http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=67CDF9D2-7E8E4D76-A552-FD82DBBFF9BC&displaylang=en Group Policy Preferences: Getting Started http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731892(WS.10).aspx