Preface
Microsoft's Application Virtualization technology has been emerging as one of the main platforms in application virtualization. This is mainly because more and more organizations are thinking about application virtualization as a valid implementation and also because App-V probably represents the most attractive solution. App-V introduces a new and efficient way to improve operating systems and application life cycles in organizations. However, if we want to maximize our investment, we must learn that every scenario and application differs from another, as does complexity.
With the Microsoft Application Virtualization Advanced Guide, administrators will find detailed topics for understanding App-V components, architecture, and implementation models, as well as step-by-step guidance to master App-V processes. There is also guidance on integrating App-V with other robust platforms, such as VDI, SCCM 2012, and even virtualizing server applications.
The Microsoft Application Virtualization Advanced Guide will start by giving readers the means to discover unfamiliar topics in App-V, as well as understanding App-V's architecture. By doing so, it will provide the baseline needed before shifting to advanced topics in App-V, such as complex scenarios for sequencing and deploying applications.
This book details scripting within App-V as well as handling the platform using the command line; there is a complete review of troubleshooting installations, sequencing, and deploying applications.
Integration is another key component that we will cover by introducing App-V in VDI and SCCM 2012. Server applications are not forgotten with Server App-V. Using this book, the reader will have a detailed understanding, with step-by-step instructions on how to virtualize server applications.
What this book covers
Chapter 1, Taking a Deep Dive into App-V: In this chapter, we will review App-V architecture and detailed components as well as some advanced options available in the App-V environment.
Chapter 2, Sequencing in Complex Environments: In this chapter, we will review detailed and advanced options available in the sequencing process, handling applications with unsupported configurations, and using package accelerators.
Chapter 3, Deploying Applications in Complex Environments: In this chapter, we will understand how to deploy applications in scenarios where it normally is not an easy process.
Chapter 4, Handling Scripting and App-V Command Lines: This chapter will be your guide to using scripting in OSD files as well as handling command lines available in App-V to automate all processes.
Chapter 5, Troubleshooting App-V: In this chapter, we will review all the scenarios to understand and solve problems within App-V installations and application sequencing, as well as deploying virtual packages.
Chapter 6, Scaling Up App-V Implementations: In this chapter, we will cover the scenarios for designing your environments on a large scale.
Chapter 7, Integrating App-V with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): In this chapter, we will learn about VDI environments and how to integrate them with App-V. We will also use the shared cache feature.
Chapter 8, Integrating App-V with System Center Configuration Manager 2012: In this chapter, we will cover the new System Center Configuration Manager platform and how to integrate it with App-V.
Chapter 9, Integrating Server App-V with Private Clouds: In this chapter, we will review, the new concept appearing as Server App-V, as a possibility to improve our private cloud environment.
Appendix, Reviewing App-V Microsoft and Third-party Tools: In this chapter, we will take a look at the tools available from Microsoft and third-party vendors to complement and improve App-V scenarios.
What you need for this book
You will the following software for this book:
Operating systems:
Server: Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2 or superior
Client: Windows XP SP3 or superior
Software:
Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 SP1
SQL Server 2005 SP3 or superior
Platform:
Active Directory domain
Please note that as we will also be reviewing App-V integrations with other platforms (such as VDI and SCCM 2012), there are going to be some specific requirements for those scenarios. Each of those integrations will have their requirements outlined in the relevant chapters.
Who this book is for
This book is for system administrators or consultants who want to master and dominate App-V and gain a deeper understanding of the technology in order to optimize App V implementations. Even though the book does not include basic steps, such as installing App-V components or sequencing simple applications, application virtualization beginners will receive a comprehensive look into App-V before jumping into the technical process of each chapter.
Conventions
In this book, you will find a number of styles of text that distinguish between different kinds of information. Here are some examples of these styles, and an explanation of their meaning.
Code words in text are shown as follows: "The content folder is the location where this server requests for the packages."
A block of code is set as follows:
<DEPENDENCY>
<SCRIPT TIMING="PRE" EVENT="LAUNCH" WAIT="TRUE" PROTECT="TRUE">
<HREF>C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe</HREF>
</SCRIPT>
</DEPENDENCY>Any command-line input or output is written as follows:
SFTMIME LOAD APP:application [/LOG log-pathname | /GUI] SFTMIME UNLOAD APP:application [/LOG log-pathname | /CONSOLE | /GUI]
New terms and important words are shown in bold. Words that you see on the screen, in menus or dialog boxes for example, appear in the text like this: "we will receive a summary of all the notifications in the Completion section".
Note
Warnings or important notes appear in a box like this.
Tip
Tips and tricks appear like this.
Reader feedback
Feedback from our readers is always welcome. Let us know what you think about this book—what you liked or may have disliked. Reader feedback is important for us to develop titles that you really get the most out of.
To send us general feedback, simply send an e-mail to <feedback@packtpub.com>, and mention the book title via the subject of your message.
If there is a book that you need and would like to see us publish, please send us a note in the SUGGEST A TITLE form on www.packtpub.com or e-mail <suggest@packtpub.com>.
If there is a topic that you have expertise in and you are interested in either writing or contributing to a book, see our author guide on www.packtpub.com/authors.
Customer support
Now that you are the proud owner of a Packt book, we have a number of things to help you to get the most from your purchase.
Downloading the example code
You can download the example code files for all Packt books you have purchased from your account at http://www.PacktPub.com. If you purchased this book elsewhere, you can visit http://www.PacktPub.com/support and register to have the files e-mailed directly to you.
Errata
Although we have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of our content, mistakes do happen. If you find a mistake in one of our books—maybe a mistake in the text or the code—we would be grateful if you would report this to us. By doing so, you can save other readers from frustration and help us improve subsequent versions of this book. If you find any errata, please report them by visiting http://www.packtpub.com/support, selecting your book, clicking on the errata submission form link, and entering the details of your errata. Once your errata are verified, your submission will be accepted and the errata will be uploaded on our website, or added to any list of existing errata, under the Errata section of that title. Any existing errata can be viewed by selecting your title from http://www.packtpub.com/support.
Piracy
Piracy of copyright material on the Internet is an ongoing problem across all media. At Packt, we take the protection of our copyright and licenses very seriously. If you come across any illegal copies of our works, in any form, on the Internet, please provide us with the location address or website name immediately so that we can pursue a remedy.
Please contact us at <copyright@packtpub.com> with a link to the suspected pirated material.
We appreciate your help in protecting our authors, and our ability to bring you valuable content.
Questions
You can contact us at <questions@packtpub.com> if you are having a problem with any aspect of the book, and we will do our best to address it.
