MDOPApplication Sequencing

Technical OverviewNicola Ferrini

App-V MVP

Who Am I ? Nicola Ferrini

TrainerTechnical WriterSystems EngineerServer & Application Virtualization Technology SpecialistMost Valuable Porfessiona (MVP)Technet SpeakerMicrosoft System Center InfluencerSTEP Program MemberMore on:

− http://www.nicolaferrini.it/ita/competenze.html− http://www.windowserver.it/ChiSiamo/Staff/tabid/71/Default.aspx

Agenda

New features in App-V Sequencer 4.6 SP1 How to save time during Sequencing Guidance and best practices

Overview

• Sequencer Diagnostics• DemoDiagnostics

• Linking Packages with Dynamic Suite Composition

• DemoEase of use

• Package Accelerators• DemoPredictability

• 4.6 SP1 Sequencer feature listAutomation

Benefits Of App-V: Run applications as a “service”

Access anywhere−Over the web−Portable devices

Just in time deployment (Click-to-Run)−Installer does not run−Instant gratification

Simple servicing−Update once, deliver everywhere−Users automatically stay up to date

Benefits Of App-VRun applications without conflicts

No changes to system−Safely run apps side-by-side−No OS decay over time−Lower migration costs

State separation−Store app state separate from OS state−State categorized as user versus system−User state stored in profile, roams with profile

How Does It Work?

App packaged using Sequencer−Installation monitored to capture resources−All app resources stored in an app image (.SFT)

App image placed on server for distribution

App streamed to client over network−SMB, HTTP(S), RTSP(S)−Can leverage DFSR replica and BranchCache−Other distribution mechanisms possible (USB)

App-V runs app in Virtual Environment (VE)−App virtualization layer handles resource requests

Application Packaging

.sft and .sprj

.osd and .ico

.osd and .ico

.osd and .ico

Each published application contains:

• .osd file – Open Software Description "link" files

• .ico file – Icon file

Each package contains:

• .sft file – Microsoft Application Virtualization-enabled application

• .sprj file – Microsoft Application Virtualization project file

• Manifest.xml - Used in package distribution

Sequencing GuidelinesGood candidates for virtualization

Almost all applications are good candidates!

Demo Infrastructure…

DemoApplication Virtualization Sequencing

Reducing Application Conflicts

Potentially conflicting applications have their own environment

ü

Applications in a suite can share the environment

Application Virtualization packages contain the complete environment

for the application

ü

ü

.sft and .sprj

.OSD and .ICO.OSD and .ICO.osd and .ico

Manifest.xml Manifest.xml

.sft and .sprj

.osd and .ico

3rd party app

Application Updates

UpdateUpdates• Update once on server• Seamless update to clients

Demo Application Updates

Dynamic Suite Composition

Application known to not conflict may be administratively set up to share the same virtual environment.Mandatory and Optional dependency configuration optionsVirtual applications may now share common dependenciesCustomer benefits:

−Achieve one to many −Greatly improve the ability deploy

and manage an application with multiple plug ins and/or add ins

−Reduce cost of patching dependent application (i.e. plug ins, middleware, etc)

−Improve management of plug in distribution to different user groups

Combined Virtual Environment

Dynamic Suite CompositionIncreased flexibility managing applications

BenefitsIndependent ServicingIndependent Deployment

Target ScenariosPlug-ins, Middleware, Shared Components“Small” Dependent Applications

FeaturesMultiple Packages in Same Virtual Environment

Dynamic Suite CompositionWorkflow for plug-ins

Package filesPrimary

application

Sequence primary

appRevert VM Sequence

plug-in

Link dependenc

ies

Package filesPlug-in (secondary)

application

Expand primary

app

Dynamic Suite CompositionWorkflow for middleware and frameworks

Package filesMiddleware (secondary) application

Sequence middlewar

e appRevert VM

Sequence primary

app

Link dependenc

ies

Package filesPrimary

application

Expand middlewar

e app

DemoDynamic Suite Composition

Package Accelerators

• Quickly converting complex applications into App-V packages

• Don’t need to manually install applications

DemoPackage Accelerators

Online ResourcesApplication Virtualization

−http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/−http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983462/en-us −http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843848.aspx −http://

gallery.technet.microsoft.com/site/search?f%5B0%5D.Type=RootCategory&f%5B0%5D.Value=App-V

−http://www.nicolaferrini.it/ita/blog.html

Virtual Labs

Application Virtualization−TechNet Virtual Lab: Learning App-V Basics

−TechNet Virtual Lab: Learning App-V Intermediate Skills

−TechNet Virtual Lab: Learning to Configure App-V for Standalone Client Mode

−TechNet Virtual Lab Express: Windows 7: Microsoft Application Virtualization (APP-V)