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The Fastest Way to Microsoft® App-V 5.0Creating, Managing and Reliably Deploying App-V 5.0 Virtual Packages with AdminStudio® Suite

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The Fastest Way to Microsoft® App-V 5.0 Creat ing, Managing and Reliably Deploying App-V 5.0 Virtual Packages with AdminStudio® Suite

App-V 5.0 is a pivotal upgrade to Microsoft’s applicat ion virtualizat ion technology. With this upgrade comes a reworked App-V package format, improved streaming, easier connect ivity among virtualized applicat ions and side-by-side support for exist ing 4.5/4.6 packages. Other key features include mounting of App-V applicat ions to folders instead of the Q: drive, removal of size limitat ions and streamlined integrat ion of virtualized applicat ions with other desktop applicat ions via extensions.

Note: This white paper focuses on App-V virtualizat ion within AdminStudio 2013. Applicat ion virtualizat ion support is provided through the AdminStudio Virtualizat ion Pack, an optional part of AdminStudio Suite. The discussion that follows assumes that the Applicat ion Virtualizat ion Pack is part of your AdminStudio Enterprise environment.

Many companies are act ively looking at incorporat ing applicat ion virtualizat ion within their environments. Because virtualizat ion alleviates many applicat ion-to-applicat ion compatibility issues, it’s an attract ive solut ion and, when done correct ly, there is a significant cost advantage. In addit ion, many of the trappings of preparing a deployable, packaged applicat ion are unnecessary when generat ing a virtualized applicat ion. If you current ly use App-V in your environment, you’ll find a lot to like in this release. If you’ve been holding off on App-V adoption, App-V 5.0 is worth a second look.

AdminStudio 2013 is the quickest way to take advantage of App-V 5.0. AdminStudio includes specific enhancements for ident ifying suitable candidates, creat ing App-V packages, convert ing your exist ing App-V 4.5/4.6 packages as well as edit ing and deploying App-V packages. Whether you have a legacy installer, an .MSI package or an App-V 4.5/4.6 package, AdminStudio can make the creat ing and conversion process simple. Let’s take a look.

Qualifying App-V Applicat ionsThe first thing you’ll want to do is verify the applicat ion’s suitability for App-V 5.0. A prerequisite for test ing is

import ing the applicat ions into the Applicat ion Catalog through the Applicat ion Manager. Import ing applicat ions is done through the Catalog tab of the Applicat ion Manager. Import ing consists of reading the tables and summary information from the Windows Installer package into a SQL Server database. Reading this data into the database allows the Test Center to not only access that data direct ly, but also run comparisons against all other packages.

The Test Center contains hundreds of applicat ion tests that range from operat ing system compatibility to best pract ices. This test suite includes specific tests for operat ing system compatibility and best pract ices for App-V packages. After import ing the applicat ion into the Applicat ion Catalog, move to the Test Center tab and use the ‘Select Tests to Execute’ opt ion to ident ify the tests to perform. By default, all tests are enabled. You can disable tests that are not applicable to your environment. When the Test Center has finished, you’ll have a detailed report on the package suitability for virtualizat ion. From this report, you can drill deeper to find out the exact issues that prohibit virtualizat ion.

Creating App-V Applicat ionsAfter you’ve ident ified a suitable candidate, the next step is creating the App-V 5.0 package. You can do this in one of three ways. If you’re convert ing from a legacy installer, you can create the App-V 5.0 package during the repackaging process through the Repackager or through the InstallShield

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Editor. If you’re convert ing a Windows Installer package you can use either the InstallShield Editor or the Automated Applicat ion Converter (AAC). If you’re start ing from an App-V 4.5/4.6 package, then you’ll use the App-V Upgrade Wizard within the Applicat ion Manager.

Although it’s becoming less common, you may st ill need to convert a legacy installer to the Windows Installer format. Along the way, you can also create the App-V package. Creating an App-V 5.0 package from a legacy installer follows the standard repackaging process. After reviewing the repackaged results, the option to create the App-V 5.0 package is shown within Repackaged Output view. Select ing this opt ion and select ing Build generates the App-V 5.0 package within the repackaging project folder. Another option is to create the InstallShield project file from within the Repackager view and convert the subsequent .MSI.

If you have an .MSI package (from a vendor or created through repackaging), you can convert it direct ly to App-V from within the InstallShield Editor. Open either the .MSI or .ISM within InstallShield and move to the Microsoft App-V tab. The icons across the bottom guide you through the options as you configure your App-V package.

The above processes for both repackaging and .MSI conversion can be done in bulk or batch mode through the AAC. For bulk import, nothing is quicker than using the AAC. Point the AAC at a folder and, if necessary, a virtual environment and turn it loose. The AAC evaluates each package. In most cases, the conversion happens direct ly. If addit ional work is needed, it’s handled automatically: AAC spins up the virtual environment, converts the package to remove any limits to virtualizat ion and creates the virtualized applicat ion. This process occurs with no intervent ion on the part of the packager. The AAC processes each package unt il all are virtualized.

After conversion, the final output .APPV file, as well as any intermediary files, are located in the package source folder. These intermediary files are useful if you need to modify the package is required.

Migrating App-V 4.5 / 4.6 PackagesUp to this point, we’ve talked about convert ing an .MSI install image to an App-V 5.0 package. AdminStudio also migrates App-V 4.5 and 4.6 packages to App-V 5.0. Using the App-V Upgrade Wizard from within the Applicat ion Manager you ident ify the App-V 4.5 or 4.6 package, right-click and select Launch Upgrade Wizard.

Edit ing App-V Applicat ionsFor App-V packages that require more finesse, the Virtual Package Editor (VPE) is available for edit ing .APPV packages. While the new .APPV file format is editable after decompression, changes to the package do not result in a usable package. The VPE resolves this issue by allowing edit ing as well as saving the results.

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For individual applicat ions, the VPE extends InstallShield’s funct ionality to create virtualized applicat ions. All of the options required to create a virtualized applicat ion are exposed within the user interface. This includes the ability to include diagnost ic tools (registry and file system viewers), sett ing file/folder isolat ion, sett ing registry isolat ion options and enabling connect ion groups.

Deploying App-V Applicat ionsSince it’s already within our catalog, you can make the applicat ion direct ly available in System Center 2012 Configurat ion Manager. Under the Deployment Data tab, you can add or modify the information about the package prior to distribut ing to System Center Configurat ion Manager. All of the relevant Configurat ion Manager information is available: detect ion methods, ident ificat ion of requirements and dependencies, and the select ion of supersedence options.

While not direct ly related to the scope of this art icle, it’s worth mentioning that everything discussed in this document can be automated. The AdminStudio Virtualizat ion Pack supports a rich set of automation as well as healthy command line arguments.

SummaryTo wrap things up, the AdminStudio Virtualizat ion Pack does an incredible job of evaluat ing, creat ing and convert ing your applicat ions to App-V. Based on the above steps, you’ll be able to integrate this product and streamline your operat ing system migrat ion process.

About Flexera SoftwareFlexera Software is the leading provider of strategic solut ions for Applicat ion Usage Management; solut ions delivering cont inuous license compliance, optimized usage and maximized value to applicat ion producers and enterprises. Flexera Software is trusted by more than 80,000 customers that depend on our comprehensive solut ions - from installat ion and licensing, ent it lement and compliance management to applicat ion readiness and software license optimization - to strategically manage applicat ion usage and achieve breakthrough results realized only through the systems-level approach we provide. For more information, please go to: www.flexerasoftware.com

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Flexera Software LLC1000 East Woodfield Road, Suite 400Schaumburg, IL 60173 USA

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