VMworld 2013: ThinApp 101 and What's New in ThinApp Next Version

ThinApp 101 and What's New in

ThinApp Next Version

Peter Björk, VMware

Tina de Benedictis, VMware

EUC4629

#EUC4629

2 2

Agenda

ThinApp overview and architecture

How to create a package

How to deploy packages

Application Linking (AppLink)

In-place update mechanism

What’s new in ThinApp.Next

Wrap up

3 3

Create Conflict Free Desktops

Problem:

Tightly coupled relationships

between OS, Applications and Data

Symptoms:

• Application Conflicts

• Complex Compatibility Test Matrices

• Diminished Time to Deployment

• Loss of User Productivity

• Increased helpdesk support calls

Solution: VMware ThinApp

• Agentless application virtualization

decouples applications and data

from the OS

4 4

ThinApp Lifecycle Savings

Develop Custom in-house apps,

3rd-party/vertical solutions

and commercial apps.

Package Apps inside EXE and

MSI files with no

source changes.

VMware

ThinApp Virtual OS

Virtual Registry

Virtual File System

Upgrade

or Patch

Save 50% on

application testing and

Provisioning

Test Apps against desktop

Images and other apps

with real-time diagnostics.

Deploy Apps using existing

management tools and

infrastructure.

Access Apps locally or over a network

on PCs, thin clients and

removable media.

Save up to 60% on Patching, upgrading

and supporting

applications

Save up to 80% on packaging and

deploying applications

IDC TCO Survey 2009

5 5

Deploy Apps Faster

Number of Clicks Elapsed Time (Min) % Faster

Traditional 6 11 N/A

ThinApp Package (MSI) 1 2 450%

ThinApp Streaming (.exe) 1 0 min N/A

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Microsoft Office 2007 Install Duration

Traditional ThinApp

5.5 Times Faster

Duration in Minutes

6 6

VMware Horizon Products – All Include ThinApp

Physical Desktops Virtual Desktops Multi-Device Workspace

VMware Horizon Mirage

Vmware Horizon View

VMware Horizon Workspace

VMware Horizon Suite

Includes ThinApp Includes ThinApp Includes ThinApp

Includes ThinApp

7 7

Virtualization and Isolation

8 8

Windows

Operating System

Physical

Registry

Physical

File System

Windows

Operating System

Physical

Registry

Physical

File System

Windows

Operating System

Physical

Registry

Physical

File System

VMware ThinApp Virtualized App Architecture

ThinApp

Compressed Container (EXE)

Virtual OS (VOS)

Application

Registry Access

File Access

Virtual

Registry

Virtual

File System

Sandbox

9 9

Technical Architecture – Sandbox & Isolation

Sandboxing & Isolation Modes provide security and persistence.

• Isolation Mode settings define level of interaction with underlying file system

and registry

• Protecting the underlying operating system

• Protecting the virtualized application

• ThinApp redirects runtime changes to private, per-user/per-app

sandbox location

• Sandbox location is configurable

• User must have modify permission to the location of the Sandbox

• Sandbox is just as portable as the package it self is

• Reset apps to default behavior by deleting the sandbox

10 10

Agenda







Wrap up

11 11

Introduction to Application Packaging

Steps for packaging an application with ThinApp:

• The Setup Capture utility creates a baseline snapshot before the application

is installed (pre-scan)

• The application is traditionally installed

• The Build phase of Setup Capture creates the virtualized application

package (post-scan)

• Set package “entry points” and package options

• Finish by browsing and building the project

Pre-scan Install application

Post-scan Set project

options

Browse project and

build package

12 12

Agenda







Wrap up

13 13

Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages

Deployment Methods – Electronic Software Distribution (ESD)

• Deploy ThinApp packages in MSI format through existing ESD solutions to

managed desktops

• Leverage existing process

and workflow

• Application performance based on

local resources

14 14


Deployment Methods – Streaming

• Stream from Windows fileserver share

• No desktop client or specialized server

infrastructure required

• Read-only network share is the only

infrastructure requirement

• Packages load directly into memory

• Beneficial for VMware View and Citrix

environments

• Use DFS or other namespace-based

access and replication technologies for

branch offices

• Use thinreg.exe for native look and

feel

15 15


Deployment Methods – Using Portable/Alternative Media

• Run applications from portable

media devices on any endpoint

• Enable workforce mobility and full

application portability without

compromising security

• No install required

• User mode execution allows for

deployment on locked down PCs

• Make use of Dropbox or similar

product to replicate packages to

local clients

16 16


Deployment Methods – VMware Horizon View

• Simplify software delivery

• Eliminate application conflicts

• Integration without dedicated

server infrastructure

• Streamline patch updates

• Modify one package for an

entire environment

• Perform in-place upgrades

• Reduce storage

• Reuse templates

• Reduce image size and

complexity

• Deliver applications

from network

17 17


Horizon View Further Simplifies Application Management Through

Integrated Application Assignment

• Assign ThinApp applications to:

• Individual View desktop

• Pool of View desktops

• Deliver ThinApp applications as:

• Full

• Streaming

• Packages must be MSI format

18 18

Horizon Workspace - ThinApp

Gain control of ThinApp leases and updates

Expanded Management for Horizon &

ThinApp

Monitor application launch and

license usage

Support for application updates

and patches

Supports both local and streaming

deployment mode

19 19

Agenda







Wrap up

20 20

• Parent/Child relationship between Linked Apps

• Can link One Parent to Many Child Apps

• Can link Many Parents to One Child App

• Optional Linking possible – used when needed

• Required Linking possible – ensured during launch

• Recursive linking supported

• Any combination of the above is viable

• ThinApp packaged apps can talk to the each other as well as the child app’s dependencies

• Enables interoperability between virtual applications and underlying OS

• Reduces package size to ease deployment & delivery

• Enhances update procedures by allowing future updates to necessary components only

One Parent to Many Child Apps Many Parents to One Child App

Application Link

How it works Benefits

21 21

AppLink DEMO

22 22

Agenda







Wrap up

23 23

Updating ThinApp Application Packages

Distributing updates with the help of MSI

• Reuses existing processes

• No need for uninstallation scripts

• Make MSIProductVersion= higher than previously deployed MSI and it will

automatically uninstall existing package and install new version

24 24

Updating ThinApp Application Packages

In-place Update

• Repackage entire application and change file extension to an integer

• Example – current_package_name.1 or current_package_name.exe.1

• Place new package in same distribution point folder as current package

• Networked-based users automatically stream new version into memory on next

launch of application package

• Current application remains running and unchanged

• Subsequent updates

• Copy additional updates with increasing integer file extension (.2, .3, .4, and so on) to

same folder

• ThinApp always runs the package with highest numbered extension

• Revert to older version by deleting unwanted package versions

• Example use case – Performing a major application update during

production hours

25 25

In-Place Updates – Unique Delivery Method for Updates

Application A.exe

Version 1

Application A.exe

Version 2

Application A.1

Version 2

26 26

In-Place Update DEMO

27 27

Agenda







Wrap up

28 28

ThinApp.Next – Core Architecture

Enterprise Readiness and Improved Architecture

Overview

Support for 64-bit application architecture

Virtualizing at lower layers with NT.DLL

Built in data collection to monitor platform usage

Benefits

64-bit application support

Expanded application compatibility

Better sustaining architecture

Supported integration with AppSense Operating System

ThinApp Virtualization

29 29

ThinApp – Enhanced Distribution in Horizon Workspace

Robust delivery of ThinApps to all Windows™ devices

Overview

Cloud based (HTTP) delivery to non-domain endpoints

Windows DFS support for app distribution

ThinApp.Next packages with 64-bit apps

Kerberos authentication for seamless login

Benefits

User-friendly catalog and IT-friendly deployment

Scalability in large enterprise deployments

Flexible deployment for BYOD & wireless devices

VPN-less delivery of Windows Apps

Instrumentation for usage & entitlement

30 30

Agenda







Wrap up

31 31

Wrap Up - Key Takeaways

ThinApp architecture

• Agentless

• No infrastructure needed


• Use a clean base image

• Win7 – Win7 easiest, use WinXP –

Win7 only when forced


• Streaming, register using

thinreg.exe

• Local deployment, use MSI


• Enables modular software

deployment


• Unique method

• Deploy updates in full production

with zero downtime


• 64-bit application support

• Greater application capability

32 32

Wrap up - LINKS

ThinApp blog

http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/

ThinApp community

https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/thinapp

ThinApp product page

http://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp/overview.html

Follow me on Twitter:

@thepeb







33 33

Other VMworld Activities Related to This Session

Hands-On Labs:

HOL-MBL-1311

Applied ThinApp with the Horizon Suite

EUC4629

34 34

Questions? and hopefully some answers...

THANK YOU

ThinApp 101 and What's New in

ThinApp Next Version

Peter Björk, VMware

Tina de Benedictis, VMware

EUC4629

#EUC4629

Date post:	13-Dec-2014
Category:	Technology
Upload:	vmworld
View:	120 times
Download:	2 times

VMworld 2013: ThinApp 101 and What's New in ThinApp Next Version

Technology