Microsoft App-v Intro

Agenda Basic understanding of –MAV Servers, –MAV Clients & MAV Sequencer –MAV Architecture Limitations & Benefits of MAV technology

Microsoft Application Virtualization Application Virtualization is a process by which portability, manageability and compatibility of applications are improved by encapsulating them from the underlying OS on which they are executed.

Application Sequencing Application sequencing is the process that takes an off-the-shelf Windows application and prepares it for streaming. This process consists of arranging the application in such a way that the portions of executable code needed first by the end user are put at the beginning of the sequenced file so they are the first to be sent over the network. This includes component files, DLLs and Registry settings. It is important to note that the application is not changed in any way.

Application Publishing Application Publishing is the process of adding the sequenced virtual application on the Microsoft App-V Server for the users to stream and download.

Application Streaming Application streaming is the process of caching the sequenced applications on the client machines. The process is also known as application delivery.

Architecture App-V Users

Domain Controll er

MSSQL

App-V Management Web Service with Management Console App-V Application Servers with Content Share

App-V Desktop Client

sgbrow ser Load Balanci ng

App-V Admin’s

Microsoft App-V Components App-V Sequencer App-V Virtual Application Server –App-V Management Console –App-V Management Web Service (IIS) –App-V DataStore (MSSQL Server) App-V Clients (Desktop and Terminal Server) Microsoft Active Directory

Sequencer App-V component responsible for generating and updating the sequenced applications. Needs to be installed on a fresh Base Machine

App-V Virtual Application Server It is the most critical component in the App-V. It is responsible for Handling user requests for the application data & Streaming it to the authorized users on demand Enforces Licensing policies Enforce application access control. Stores virtual applications in content shares.

App-V Client App-V Client automatically sets up and manages virtual environments for App-V sequenced applications, publishes the applications to the user's desktop, and manages connections to the App-V Server. The App-V Client stores userspecific virtual application settings in each user's profile—for example, registry and file changes.

App-V Client, Cont.. There are two types of App-V clients: 

Microsoft App-V Client for Desktop

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Microsoft App-V Client for Terminal Services

Application Virtualization Package •

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OSD File: Atleast one osd file is created per application. They are the interface between users and App-V environment. .ICO File: One .ico file is created per OSD file. .sprj File: One SPRJ file is created per package. This file contains all the information required to publish the package on the App-V Server. .sft File: One .SFT file is created per package. This file contains entire suite of applications which include files, registry

Selecting Application for Sequencer • Application Size: app size should not be more then 4GB. Device Drivers Middle ware Hard coded Paths Auto update Boot time services

Selecting an application for Seq. Hosts File COM+ Hardware dependent Licensing Internet Explorer OS Service Packs User base location

Sequencing Machine Sequencing machine (preferably Virtual Machine) should have ML Desktop base build with C: and Q: drives.

Sequencing Q Drive VFS Install Suite Dynamic Suite Plug-ins Upgrade

Q Drive Sequencing Application(s) are installed under Q:\<MountPointFolder>\

Suite Sequencing Multiple applications are installed on their defaults install locations so that they can work together. e.g.: Suite of Firefox and Flash plugin.

Sequencing Q Drive VFS Install Suite Dynamic Suite Plug-ins Upgrade