Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)

1. ES32 Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)  John Sheehan Partner Architect Microsoft Corporation •  Alvin Chardon Sr. SDET Microsoft Corporation  Elsie Nallipogu Lead Program Manager Microsoft Corporation

2. Agenda • Background and benefits • Technical deep dive • Best practices • Development • Debugging • Testing • Summary

3. Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) • App-V available via Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) • Application virtualization is growing in the enterprise space 8 Million Licenses Launch 18 months

4. Benefits Of App-V Run applications as a service • Access anywhere • Over the web • Portable devices • Just in time deployment (Click-to-Run) • Installer does not run • Instant gratification • Simple servicing • Update once, deliver everywhere • Users automatically stay up to date

5. Benefits Of App-VRun applications without conflict • No changes to system • Safely run apps side-by-side • No OS decay over time • Lower migration costs • State separation • Store app state separate from OS state • State categorized as user versus system • User state stored in profile, roams with profile

6. demo Running Microsoft Office 2007 From USB  John Sheehan Partner Architect Microsoft App-V

7. How Does It Work? • App repackaged using Sequencer • Installation monitored to capture resources • All app resources stored in an app image (.SFT) • App image placed on server for distribution • App streamed to client over network • Other distribution mechanisms possible (USB) • App-V runs app in Virtual Environment (VE) • App virtualization (V12N) layer handles resource requests

8. How Are Applications Virtualized? • Sequencer captures resources created at installation time • E.g., files, registry, etc. • Resources stored in an app image • Image optimized for network streaming • App image placed on server for distribution

9. How Are Virtual Apps Run? • App image streamed to client over network • App runs in Virtual Environment (VE) • VE contains all app resources • Resources live in separate namespace • App V12N layer intercepts OS calls • Fulfills requests for app resources

10. How Are Requests Processed? • Namespace • Container for app resources • Each name  unique resource (Source of conflict) • Logical namespace processing User Settings Application Resources Local System

11. How Do I Develop V12N-Friendly Apps? • Reduce installation assumptions • Detect OS version at launch • Enable/disable features dynamically • Avoid hard-coded paths • Use REG_EXPAND_STRING or derive at runtime • Localization/MUI • Provide support for installing multiple locales • Drivers not virtualized • Provide separate installers • Good in general for Enterprise environment

12. How Do I Develop V12N-Friendly Apps?Continued • Config/INI files not currently genericized • Avoid hardcoded paths • Registry usage • Registry not for IPC/message queuing • Allow user to disable autoupdates • Install on first use not supported • Allow users to opt out • Not all resources currently virtualized • Shell extensions, WMI, COM+

13. How Do I Debug Virtual Apps? • Attach debugger to virtual process • Procs outside VE can’t see virtual resources • Launch debugger in VE • Use Image File Execution Options • Use Process Monitor  v1.6 or later • procmon.exe/ExternalCapture • Use Process Explorer • That’s it 

14. demo Debugging A Virtual Application  John Sheehan Architect Microsoft App-V

15. Best Practices for Testing Virtual Apps • Leverage existing Test Investment • Launch test tools and harnesses inside VEs • File Type Associations and Shortcuts still there • Access application’s process from the SPL • Access application’s COM objects from the ROT • Virtualization Specific Concerns • Platform Compatibility • Default File Locations • Internal Testing • Easily deploy prerelease builds internally unobtrusively

16. Key Takeaways • Embrace life without installs using App-V • Applications run as a service • Applications run without conflict • Try out the App-V client on MSDN! • Interested in talking with us at PDC? • Send email to wapdisc@microsoft.com • Stop by the Virtualization booth

17. Where Can I Get More Information? • MSDN App-V Download - search for “Desktop Optimization” at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx • Microsoft App-V site - http://www.microsoft.com/appv • Microsoft App-V blog - http://blogs.technet.com/softgrid/default.aspx

18. Evals & Recordings Please fill out your evaluation for this session at: This session will be available as a recording at: www.microsoftpdc.com

19. Q&A Please use the microphones provided

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