softgrid advanced sequencing
TRANSCRIPT
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SOFTGRID ADVANCED SEQUENCING
April 23-25, 2007 BriForum 2007: Chicago 1
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April 23-25, 2007
SoftGrid Advanced Sequencing
Michael Burke
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What is Sequencing?• True virtualization of
– File system– Registry– INI– Environment variables– COM objects
• True isolation of applications
• Reorganization into a streaming format
• Done without modification of source code
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“Suite-ing” Applications• Two or more applications that share the same virtual
environment• Application dependencies
– Java, ActiveX, etc.– API calls
• Required because of the nature of Softricity isolation
• Available external application access:– File associations– Local application access– Basic copy and paste (text and graphics)
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The Concept of “The Bubble”
Operating System
App1 App3App2
XSuite A Suite B
X X
SystemGuardSystemGuard
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Sequencing Phases• Planning/Preparation• Sequence Process• User Acceptance Testing• Remediation• Deployment• Support/Update• Retire
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To Sequence or Not to Sequence
• Sequencing may not be applicable in all scenarios, such as:– Drivers/run-time dependencies– Application dependencies – Supportability– Functionality/performance
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Environment Planning• Standardize on a virtual drive letter (Q:)• Asset Directory Naming Convention
– 8.3 ONLY! (ex. AcroRd80.V1), no spaces– Do not reuse
• Suite Naming Convention– Vendor_Application_AppVer_SeqVer (ex. Adobe_AcrobatReader_8.0_v1)– No spaces– Avoid reuse
• Process methodology– SoftGrid Application Request Form– Process for requests
• Sequence lifecycle tracking process– Track package details (apps, dependencies, asset directory, max block size,
etc.)– Track progress on application sequences– File share, Spreadsheet, database, MS SharePoint site, etc.
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The Sequencer Machine• Operating Systems
– W2K Pro/Server– WXP Pro– W2K3 Server
• Resources– Single (Fast) CPU– 1GB+ RAM– FAST disk subsystem– Adequate free space
• Min. Two Partitions– C: (System)– Q: (Sequence)– Ghost images (opt.)
• Basic Build– “Plain vanilla” install– Mirror platform in prod use– No pre-installed software unless
part of standard build– Recommended: Don’t pre-install
sequencer application
• Use Multiple Sequencers– Multi-task– Leverage Virtualization
(Snapshot/revert VMs)– Ghost Physical Machines– Disable machine account
password changes
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Sequencer Setup• Basic OS build
– No security software (Cisco CSA, firewalls, etc.)– No antivirus (preferred)
• Partitions– Partition 1 - C: System OS and Sequencer [10-20GB]– Partition 2 - Q: Drive [10GB]– Partition 3 - Ghost images (omit if VM) [10GB]
• Create a dummy printer• Create dummy System and File DSNs• Set Explorer “Launch folder windows in a separate process”• Add Sequencer Exclusion Items
– C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\ntuser.dat– C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\
VMware\hgfs.dat (VMware Workstation only)
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Preparing to Sequence• Know your applications!
– Requirements and dependencies– Configuration– Use-case scenarios
• Gather resources– Media, network locations, license keys – no activating keys– Key people / documentation
• SoftGrid application request form• Identify target operating system(s)
– Sequence on least common denominator OS– Are multiple sequences required?
• Determine sequence options– VFS or Mount-point install– Block size and compression– FB1 and FB2 delineation
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Preparing to Sequence• Perform a test installation prior to sequencing
– Become familiar with install options, requirements, and use• Install any dependent applications prior to sequencing
– Applications assumed part of base build• Create asset directory on Q: prior to sequencing• Map necessary drives
– Source files and application-specific• Pre-extract files to temporary directory• Document the Sequence
– The process (recipe)– Sequence options (Sequencer version, max block size, who did it, etc.)– Errors, resolutions, changes– Dependent applications (for patching/upgrading)
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Sequencing Process
1. Installation media
2. Installation Phase
3. Shortcut Wizard
4. Save Package
5. Test, test, test!
6. Production release
7. Patch/update
SystemGuard
.SFT .OSD .ICO .SPRJ
SystemGuard Production
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
Sequencer
Client VAS Server
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The Results• .SFT
– The sequenced application(s)– Record of files, directories, registry, etc.
• .OSD – XML-based file containing information about the app and how to
launch it• .ICO
– Icon file, created in conjunction with the OSD• .SPRJ
– The Sequencer Project file– Contains sequence information– Record of associated SFT, OSD and ICO file names
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Package Configuration• Suite Name
– vendor_appname_appversion_seqver– Ex: Adobe_AcrobatReader_8.0_v1
• Comments– Sequencer version, OS, Person, Asset directory name, suited
applications, etc.• Hostname
– %SFT_SOFTGRIDSERVER%, FQDN or IP• Path
– <suitename> or <department>\<suitename>– Establishes the directory structure of content share
• Operating Systems– Remove all unless package is for specific platform
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Sequencing the Application• Compression and Block Size• Install to
– Q:\<assetdir>\<app_name>\– “Program Files” = <assetdir>
• Use MSI logging if possible– Create a .bat file with /l*v
option• No “install on first use”• Pre-configure apps while
monitoring– Disable automatic updating– Accept EULA– Pre-configure application
defaults– Clear IE cache and cookies
• Stop monitoring– When finished with all apps in
suite– To process necessary interim
reboots• Always include MSI
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Shortcut Wizard• Clean up shortcuts
– Remove unneeded shortcuts
– Clean up version numbers
– No spaces in OSD file names
– Modify shortcut locations– Limit number of file type
associations
• Launch applications– Designating FB1 and
FB2– Use “Launch All” or
CTRL+click– “Top 10” features– Some do not terminate
automatically
• Finish– Sequences blocks
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Finishing Up• Check for drivers
– File system tab
• Save the Package– Directory = suite name– SPRJ file = suite name– Include MSI log of install
• Move Package Off Sequencer– VAS content share– Network location
• Clean Up Sequencer– Revert or re-image
• Complete Documentation– Recipe– Change control– Document package size,
launch size and max block size
• Notify Appropriate Personnel for Testing
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User Acceptance Testing (UAT)• Encourage the documentation of Use Cases• Test on Production OS Deployment
– Include security software, AV, etc.– Group Policy in effect– Test on all intended OS recipients
• Check Event Logs for Errors• Get Qualified Personnel Involved• Document Issues
– Update change control– Document resolutions– Document required OSD scripting
• Obtain Sign-off of Success
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Upgrading a Package• Open for upgrade• Perform changes/additions• File -> Save (Active Upgrade)
– SFT file incremented
• File -> Save As (package branch)– New asset directory name– New suite name– New GUID is generated automatically– Be sure to modify package configuration first
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Editing OSD Files• Disable Word Wrap in Notepad• Use an XML-aware editor
– Ex. EditPlus• Clean Up Readability
– Align CODEBASE items• Remove/Add OS tags• Scripting and Custom Registry
Modifications
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Advanced Sequencing
• Leveraging local applications in a sequence– As Primary Application (iexplore.exe)
• Custom OSD calling local binary
FILENAME=“%PROGRAMFILES%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe”
– As Supporting Applications (Office, Lotus Notes Client, Acrobat Reader)
• Supporting apps installed on Sequencer machine prior to sequencing
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Passing Parameters
• Modify OSD <CODEBASE> Tag
– FILENAME=“%PROGRAMFILES%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe” PARAMETERS=“http://www.briforum.com”
– FILENAME=“Off2k3.V1\MSOffice2003\Office11\ msacess.exe” PARAMETERS=“H:\Databases\briforum2007.mdb”
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OSD Scripting• Script Timing and Events
– PRE STREAM– POST STREAM– PRE LAUNCH– POST LAUNCH– POST SHUTDOWN
• Protect– Protect=TRUE (script runs inside virtual environment)– Protect=FALSE (script runs outside virtual environment)
• Timeout– Timeout=xx (wait xx seconds for script to complete before reporting error)– Timeout=0 (wait indefinitely for script to complete)
• Wait– Wait=TRUE (wait for script to complete before continuing)– Wait=FALSE (do not wait for script to complete before continuing)
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OSD Script Event Timing
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OSD Scripting Options• <SCRIPTBODY>
– Can call non-executable commands (md)
– Creates a temporary script on the client, which executes and is then deleted
– Uses escape ( \ ) character
– DOS window appears
• <HREF>– Used to call direct
executables (xcopy)– No non-executables
permitted– Command is executed
directly on the client– No DOS window appears
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SCRIPTBODY Examples
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HREF Examples
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Registry and Environment Variable Scripting
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Dealing with Drivers
• Check sequencer file list for /drivers directory
• Determine if drivers are necessary• Extract drivers and install separately
– SMS package– Script through OSD
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Troubleshooting Packages• No icons
– Active Directory group membership– Access to Content share– Shortcut locations
• Package won’t launch– Check SoftGrid Client log for errors– %SFT_SOFTGRIDSERVER% variable– Check Event Viewer– Max block size– Clear client cache
• User settings keep resetting– Identify settings file in the package– Mark as user data
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Getting Inside the Bubble• Create a debug OSD
– Append “Debug” to SOFTPKG NAME tag– FILENAME=“%WINDIR%\System32\cmd.exe”– SUBSYSTEM VALUE=“console”
• Explorer.exe /separate• Filemon and Regmon
– Registry modifications outside the bubble first (see Microsoft KB 931819)
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Dealing with Side-by-Side• Check Event Viewer• Locate the issue
– Dependent binary (.exe)– Dependent directory– WinSxS library dependencies
• OSD scripting workaround– Pre-launch dependent binary– Copy WinSxS entry to local system
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Identifying Errors• Client Logging
– C:\Program Files\Softricity\SoftGrid for Windows Desktops\sftlog.txt– Logging level:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Softricity\SoftGrid Client\CurrentVersion\Configuration\LogMinSeverity=n
• 4 is default, 5 increases log detail• Restart client service
• May be useful information in the log– Ex. “The system cannot find the file specified.”
• Research error codes on MS KB– Search on the last error code block– Error code: 40023B-0060926C-80070002
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Sequencer Log Files• sft-seq-log.txt
– Main log for the sequencer• sftrbt.txt
– Records actions during reboot processing• SFTCallBack.txt
– Log of SystemGuard-watched processes• filter.log
– File-activity log recorded by SystemGuard– Use dumplog.exe to decode
• files.txt– Log of all files in the VFS– Not enabled by default– HKLM\Software\Softricity\SoftGrid Sequencer\CurrentVersion\
FileManifest=1
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When All Else Fails…• Install application on plain Windows install
– See it work– Identify where application fails
• Try a VFS installation– Not recommended for large packages (> 800MB)
• Try streaming to a clean system– Basic Windows install with SoftGrid client– No security software, AV, GPO
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Questions?
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Thank You!
Michael Burke