Application Virtualization

How much time do you spend installing stand-a-lone or thick client network apps on individual computers?

Returning to Sanity

Presentation Objectives

»Understand the concept of application virtualization and specifically the Microsoft solution for app virtualization

»Know the costs and licensing involved with purchasing MS Application Virtualization

»Learn how MS Application Virtualization can help your school district deploy applications with out installing them

»Be aware of the pros and cons of application virtualization

What is Application Virtualization?

» According to Wikipedia: “Application virtualization is an umbrella term that describes software technologies that improve portability, manageability and compatibility of applications by encapsulating them from the underlying operating system on which they are executed. A fully virtualized application is not installed in the traditional sense [1], although it is still executed as if it is. The application is fooled at runtime into believing that it is directly interfacing with the original operating system and all the resources managed by it, when in reality it is not. Application virtualization differs from operating system virtualization in that in the latter case, the whole operating system is virtualized rather than only specific applications.“ Ardence is an example of operating system virtualization

Microsoft Application Virtualization

Dynamically streaming software as a centrally managed service

Microsoft Application Virtualization Platform

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Rapidly packages applications through

active watch technology including

execution dependencies.

The admin has the option to create an MSI wrapper for Standalone mode delivery.

Virtual Application(SPRJ, OSD, ICO and SFT)

Microsoft Application Virtualization

Sequencing – The gateway to Microsoft Application Virtualization

The Sequencer produces

the virtual application package containing

the application and its dependencies.Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Extending Scalability

Multiple Delivery Options

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

• Diverse Client Base• Microsoft Application Virtualization supports Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista, Windows

Server 2003 and 2008 Terminal Services, and Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop BUT NOT VISTA 64-BIT!!

• Permission Based• User clicks on desktop shortcuts - authentication, authorization and licensing checked

every time users launch a virtual application.

• Centrally Served• The first time the Server delivers “just enough” code (20-40%) to client or TS machine.

As more code is needed, it is dynamically delivered.

Microsoft Application Virtualization

Dynamically streaming software as a centrally managed service

• Locally Executed• App executes on desktop, laptop and/or

Terminal Server, not on the Application Virtualization Server

• Cached for Performance• App code is cached for repeat use• Options to cache at login or on first launch

• Disconnected Use Support

• Entire set of applications are cached for limited time before expiring Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Microsoft Application Virtualization

» Applications are virtualized per instance:

» Files (incl System Files)» Registry» Fonts» .ini» COM/DCOM objects» Services» Semaphores, Mutexes» Name Spaces

» Applications do not get installed or alter the operating system

» Yet Tasks process locally on the host computer

» Dramatically reduces application conflicts and regression testing

Above the kernel virtualization for applications

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Dynamic Virtualization

» Application known to not conflict may be administratively set up to share the same virtual environment.

» Mandatory and Optional dependency configuration options

» Virtual applications may now share common dependencies

» Customer 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

Introducing Dynamic Suite Composition (DSC)

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Microsoft Application Virtualization Interop with SMS 2003/SCCM 2007 and more…

Multiple Options for Interoperability

» Interoperability with SMS 2003 R2 and SCCM 2007» Streaming capabilities can be added to SMS/SCCM

2007 Distribution points» Sequencer option to create MSI wrapper as control

point for virtual applications (System Center Application Virtualization Server is not required)

» Virtual applications can be inventoried WMI Provider or via Add/Remove Program scanning (MSI option only)

» Third party ESD systems may also control virtual applications either through script or through MSI wrapper

» Native Application Virtualization integration coming with SCCM R2

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

The Microsoft Application Virtualization Platform

Microsoft Application Virtualization Clients

VECD

Terminalserver

Desktop

Microsoft Application Virtualization Clients

VECD

Terminalserver

Desktop

Microsoft Application Virtualization Clients

VECD

Terminalserver

Desktop

StandaloneMicrosoft

Application Virtualization

Client

System Center Application

Virtualization Streaming

Server

System Center Application

Virtualization Management

Server

SMS/SCCM Distribution

Point

SMS/SCCM Management

Console

Microsoft Application

Virtualization Management

Console

SMS/SCCM Database

Microsoft Application

Virtualization Database

Active Directory

Management Web Service

Microsoft Application

Virtualization Sequencer

Streaming

Streaming+

manifest

SMS/SCCM application

delivery

Virtualized application

MSI-wrapped virtualized application

Application delivery via MSI on CD

Windows application

Slide courtesy of Microsoft – 10-31-08

Costs and Licensing

»App-V is sold educationally as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pak (MDOP). Presently it is available via School Agreement and can be added on for approximately $3.50 / desktop (depending on quantity this price may be lower)

»The MDOP is also included with Windows Vista Enterprise

»MDOP is available to customers with volume license agreements.

Contact your Microsoft rep for the straight scoop on the best way to license MDOP for your organization

BTW: What else comes with MDOP?

»Current components of the MDOP include:» Microsoft Application Virtualization» Microsoft Asset Inventory Service» Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management» Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset» Microsoft System Center Desktop Error Monitoring

»http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/enterprise/default.mspx

How hard is this to do?

»Matt – Your on…

»Matt Johnson, BPSD Application Specialist demonstrates the components of Microsoft Application Virtualization and shows how to sequence an application for virtual deployment

Pros

»No more installing individual apps to individual workstations

»Apps can be simultaneously licensed in smaller numbers due to App-V’s license management features

»Non network apps can be deployed on the network via App-V

»Multiple versions of the same app can be deployed together without fear of conflict

»Virtual apps do not permanently occupy HD space if you reset them after use

»Both test and actual deployments of curricular apps are possible without tying up technicians

»Teachers are happier

Cons

»Each virtualized app must be sequenced first – sequencing can be tricky, time consuming and occasionally difficult

»Some apps cannot be sequenced at all; i.e. Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Standard / Pro

»Some apps should not be sequenced; i.e. CS3 and AutoCAD

»There is some small amount of management overhead in configuring and maintaining AD access for vitualized apps

»Each workstation must be running the App-V client – this can be scripted to install at login

»At present the App-V client does not support the 64-bit Vista environment – 64-bit is slated for version 4.5 SP1 mid next year

»App-V is an additional yearly cost

Q & A

»Send questions or thoughts to Ron Reyer or Matt Johnson – this PPT can be downloaded from:

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»Reyer.ron@bpsd.org» Johnson.matt@bpsd.org

Thank you!