Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Application Virtualization for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 White Paper

January 2011

Contents

Application Virtualization with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 .................................................. 1 How to: Sequence Clients for App-V............................................................................................ 3

How to: Publish the Sequenced Client Application ................................................................... 5 How to: Add Add-ins to an App-V-Sequenced RoleTailored Client ............................................. 7

How to: Publish the Updated Client Application ....................................................................... 8 How to: Apply Hotfixes to a Sequenced Client Application .......................................................... 9

APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2 1

Application Virtualization with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2

Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) is an application virtualization and streaming solution. With

App-V, you can make applications available without installing the applications directly on end-user

computers. You sequence the application so that it runs in its own self-contained virtual environment on

the client computer. These applications can access data, system services, and configurations either

locally or remotely.

This white paper describes how to set up the RoleTailored client and Classic client in Microsoft Dynamics

NAV 2009 R2 to run as virtual applications in App-V. The App-V implementation is intended primarily for

the RoleTailored client, but you may need to include the Classic client to run reports that you have not yet

updated to the RDLC format.

For more information about App-V, including architecture requirements and installation and configuration

instructions, see the Application Virtualization TechCenter on Microsoft TechNet.

App-V is supported for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 clients.

How App-V Works App-V uses a workstation or terminal server to run an application without having to install the application

on a client. Application files are not installed in the Program Files folder, and registry entries are not

added. Instead, the application is loaded into an isolated virtual environment on the client.

In Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, you can use App-V to deploy the RoleTailored client and Classic

client to end users. The clients run on the end user’s computer and use that computer’s processor and

memory, but they use remote systems to access data, system services, and configurations. App-V virtual

applications are never installed on individual desktops, laptops, or terminal servers. Instead, virtual

applications are located on a central App-V Server, and you manage them from the App-V console.

Applications are deployed on demand to desktops, laptops, or terminal servers over the network when

they are needed. The App-V deployment model supports running different versions of your Microsoft

Dynamics NAV clients side by side, reduces the complexity of enterprise deployments, and supports

transparent, dynamic client updates that require no end-user action.

The following illustration shows how client applications access data, system services, and configurations

either locally or remotely.

2 APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2

How Administrators Deploy and Manage Microsoft Dynamics NAV with App-V You perform the following general steps to deploy and manage Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 with

App-V.

To See

Sequence the RoleTailored client and Classic client to

use with App-V.

How to: Sequence Clients for App-V

Publish the sequenced client application so that end

users can use Microsoft Dynamics NAV with App-V.

How to: Publish the Sequenced Client Application

In addition, you can also perform the following optional actions:

To See

Extend functionality of the RoleTailored client with

RoleTailored client control add-ins.

How to: Add Add-ins to an App-V-Sequenced

RoleTailored Client

Make changes and publish the updated client

application.

How to: Publish the Updated Client Application

Apply hotfixes to Microsoft Dynamics NAV and

redeploy the sequenced application.

How to: Apply Hotfixes to a Sequenced Client

Application

How End Users Run Microsoft Dynamics NAV with App-V You can configure App-V-packaged clients so that end users run them from either a desktop icon or the

Start menu.

When end users run the RoleTailored client, the ClientUserSettings.config file is created in the user's

AppData folder. Changes to this file are saved and persisted. The file is not overwritten when the user

opens the package again or when an updated package is downloaded.

When end users run the Classic client, they must have access to the Microsoft SQL Server instance that

hosts the Microsoft Dynamics NAV database.

APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2 3

How to: Sequence Clients for App-V Sequencing is the process of packaging an application for virtualization and streaming. In these

procedures, you sequence the RoleTailored client and, optionally, the Classic client.

To complete these procedures, you will need:

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 installation media on DVD or a downloaded package from

PartnerSource.

Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer installed and configured on your computer. For more

information, see How to Install the Application Virtualization Sequencer on Microsoft TechNet.

The sequencing process is divided into three procedures:

1. Preparing the Sequencer

2. Running Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Setup

3. Configuring Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 in the Sequencer

You must complete all three procedures in the specified order to create a sequenced version of

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2.

1. On the Sequencer computer, insert the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 installation media or

download the installation package from PartnerSource.

2. In Windows Explorer, go to drive Q, and then create a folder named DynNAV.2k9.

3. In another location on the Sequencer computer, create a folder named DynamicsNAV2009R2.

You will save the sequenced client application to this folder.

4. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application Virtualization, and then

click Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer.

5. Click Create a Package to start the Application Virtualization Sequencing Wizard.

6. On the Package Information page, in the Package Name field, enter Microsoft Dynamics

NAV 2009 R2. Then click Next.

7. On the Monitor Installation page, click Begin Monitoring.

8. In the Browse For Folder dialog box, browse to and select Q:\DynNAV.2k9 and then click OK.

9. With the Sequencing Wizard still on the Monitor Installation page, go to Windows Explorer, open

the DVD drive or folder that contains the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Setup, and then

click Autorun.exe.

1. On the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 splash screen, click Install Microsoft Dynamics

NAV, and then click Next to move to the next page.

2. If you agree to the license terms, then click I accept.

3. Click Choose an installation option, and then below Client, click Customize.

4. Do one of the following:

To install the RoleTailored client, do not modify the component list.

Note

Preparing the Sequencer

Running Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Setup

4 APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2

To install both the RoleTailored client and the Classic client, on the Customize the

installation page, click Classic client, and then select Run from My Computer.

5. On the Customize the Installation page, click Destination Folder, browse to Q:\DynNAV.2k9,

click OK, and then click Next.

6. On the Specify parameters page, click RoleTailored client.

7. On the Installation Parameters page, in the Server Name field, enter the name of the

computer running Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server for this client.

8. Verify the value in the Server Port field, which is the listening TCP port for the computer

running Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server for this client, and then click Apply.

9. When Setup is complete, click Close, and then click Exit to close Autorun.

1. In Windows Explorer, go to Q:\DynNAV.2k9\RoleTailored Client, and then double-click

Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Client.exe.

2. Verify that the RoleTailored client can connect to Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server, and then

close the RoleTailored client.

3. If you have installed the Classic client, in Windows Explorer, go to Q:\DynNAV.2k9\Classic,

double-click finsql.exe, and then close the Classic client.

4. Go back to the Sequencing Wizard, click Stop Monitoring, and then, when monitoring stops,

click Next.

5. On the Configure Application page, if you have installed the Classic client with the

RoleTailored client, then right-click Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Classic, select Remove,

and then click Next.

Note

Do not remove Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Classic with Microsoft SQL Server. This

leaves the version of the Classic client that uses SQL Server and removes the version

that uses Classic Database Server.

Important

You are now on the Launch Applications page, from which you can start the

applications that are associated with the shortcuts that you have created with App-V.

You must start either the RoleTailored client or both the RoleTailored client and Classic

clients to determine which portions of the applications are required for the App-V client.

6. On the Launch Applications page, click Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, which opens the

Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Client.exe file, and then click Launch. After the RoleTailored client

opens and connects to Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server, close it.

7. If you have installed the Classic client, then select it, and then click Launch. Once the Classic

client opens, close it.

8. Click Next.

9. On the Sequence Package page, click Finish when sequencing is complete.

10. On the Sequencer summary page, click the Deployment tab.

Configuring Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 in the Sequencer

APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2 5

11. Set the following properties for the package.

Field Value

Protocol Select RTSPS or the protocol that you are using

for your distribution.

Hostname Enter the fully qualified domain name of the

App-V Management Server.

Port

Path DynamicsNAV2009R2

Operating Systems Select the operating system that end users are

using.

Output Options Select the following options:

Generate Microsoft Windows

Installer (MSI) Package

Compress Package

12. Click Package, click Save, and then enter DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj as the name of the

package to save in the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder.

13. Close the Sequencer.

14. Copy the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder to the content share on the App-V Management Server.

Note

You can deploy Sequencer-generated .msi files to client computers that are configured

for stand-alone operations. For more information, see the “Offline Deployment” section

of the App-V trial guide.

How to: Publish the Sequenced Client Application After you have sequenced Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 clients as described in How to: Sequence

Clients for App-V, you must import them to the App-V Management Server and then publish them to the

client computer.

1. On the App-V Management Server, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Administrative

Tools, and then click Application Virtualization Management Console.

2. In the console tree, expand the node for the server.

3. Click Applications and then select Import Applications.

4. Navigate to \\<servername>\content, and then open the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder.

5. Select DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj, and then click Open to open the Import Application wizard.

6. On the General Information page, verify that the OSD Path and Icon Path values are in UNC

format, such as \\<servername>\content\DynamicsNAV2009R2\DynamicsNAV2009R2.osd,

verify that the Enabled check box is selected, and then click Next.

To publish a sequenced client application

6 APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2

7. On the Published Shortcuts page, select the appropriate shortcut location check boxes, and

then click Next.

8. On the File Associations page, click Next.

9. On the Access Permissions page, click Add.

10. In the Add/Edit User Group dialog box, navigate to the App-V Users user group, and then

click OK.

11. Click Next.

12. On the Summary page, review the configuration information and then click Finish.

APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2 7

How to: Add Add-ins to an App-V-Sequenced RoleTailored Client In this procedure, you add an add-in to the RoleTailored client that you previously sequenced for App-V.

1. Copy the application package that you saved to the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder as

DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj from the App-V Management Server that you want to update with

the add-in to the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder on the Sequencer computer.

2. On the Sequencer computer, delete all files that may be left over from sequencing the client

application from drive Q.

3. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application Virtualization, and then

click Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer.

4. Click Upgrade a Package.

5. On the Open For Package Upgrade page, select DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj.

6. On the Package Information page, click Next.

7. On the Monitor Installation page, click Begin Monitoring.

8. When the virtual environment is loaded and displays the Install the application status, copy all

add-in component files from the distribution location to the add-in folder at

Q:\DynNAV.2k9\RoleTailored Client, or run the add-in installer if there is one.

Tip

Install or copy these files into a subfolder in the Add-in folder.

9. In Windows Explorer, go to Q:\DynNAV.2k9\RoleTailored Client, double-click

Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Client.exe, and then click Exit to close the RoleTailored client.

10. In the Sequencing Wizard, click Stop Monitoring, and then when monitoring stops, click Next.

11. On the Configure Applications page, click Applications, and then click Next.

12. On the Add Files to Virtual File System page, click Next.

13. On the Launch Applications page, click Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, and then click

Launch. After the RoleTailored client opens and connects to Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server,

close it.

14. Click Next

15. On the Sequence Package page, click Finish when sequencing is complete.

16. Click Package, and then click Save.

17. Close the Sequencer.

18. Copy the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder to the content share on the App-V Management Server.

To add an add-in to an App-V-sequenced RoleTailored client

8 APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2

How to: Publish the Updated Client Application In this procedure, you republish the RoleTailored client that you updated with an add-in.

1. On the App-V Management Server computer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to

Administrative Tools, and then click Application Virtualization Management Console.

2. In the console tree, expand the server node, and then click Packages.

3. Right-click the package that you are updating, and then click Add Version.

4. Click Browse, navigate to \\<servername>\content, and then open the DynamicsNAV2009R2

folder

5. Click the new package, which has an .sft extension, and then click Open.

6. Click Next.

7. On the Enter Relative Path for package file page, click Next.

8. On the Summary page, review the configuration information, and then click Finish.

To publish an updated application

APPLICATION VIRTUALIZATION FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 2009 R2 9

How to: Apply Hotfixes to a Sequenced Client Application In this procedure, you apply a hotfix to a RoleTailored client or Classic client that has previously been

sequenced for App-V.

1. Copy all files that you need for the hotfix to the Sequencer computer.

2. Copy the DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj application package from the content share on the App-V

Management Server to the DynamicsNAV2009R2 folder on the Sequencer computer.

3. On the Sequencer computer, delete all files that may be left over from sequencing the client

application on drive Q.

4. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application Virtualization, and then

click Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer.

5. Click Upgrade a Package.

6. On the Open For Package Upgrade page, select DynamicsNAV2009R2.sprj.

7. On the Package Information page, click Next.

8. On the Monitor Installation page, click Begin Monitoring.

9. When the virtual environment is loaded and displays the Install the application status, copy all

files from the hotfix distribution location in the RTC folder to the RoleTailored Client folder at

Q:\DynNAV.2k9.

If you have also sequenced the Classic client, then copy all files from the hotfix distribution

location to the Classic Client folder.

10. In Windows Explorer, go to Q:\DynNAV.2k9\RoleTailored Client, double-click

Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Client.exe, and then close the RoleTailored client after it opens.

If you have also sequenced the Classic client, then in Windows Explorer, go to

Q:\DynNAV.2k9\Classic, double-click finsql.exe, and then close the Classic client after it opens.

11. In the Sequencing Wizard, click Stop Monitoring, and then when monitoring stops, click Next.

12. On the Configure Applications page, click Applications.

13. In the details pane, right-click Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Classic, click Remove, and

then click Next.

Note

Do not remove Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Classic with Microsoft SQL Server.

This leaves the version of the Classic client that uses SQL Server and removes the

version that uses Classic Database Server.

14. Remove all other applications until Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 and Microsoft Dynamics

NAV 2009 Classic with Microsoft SQL Server are the only items in the details pane, and then

click Next.

15. On the Add Files to Virtual File System page, click Next.

16. On the Launch Applications page, click Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, which opens the

Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Client.exe file, and then click Launch.

To apply a hotfix to a sequenced client application

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