vmworld 2013: thinapp 101 and what's new in thinapp next version
DESCRIPTION
VMworld 2013 Peter Björk, VMware Tina de Benedictis, VMware Learn more about VMworld and register at http://www.vmworld.com/index.jspa?src=socmed-vmworld-slideshareTRANSCRIPT
ThinApp 101 and What's New in
ThinApp Next Version
Peter Björk, VMware
Tina de Benedictis, VMware
EUC4629
#EUC4629
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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Create Conflict Free Desktops
Problem:
Tightly coupled relationships
between OS, Applications and Data
Symptoms:
• Application Conflicts
• Complex Compatibility Test Matrices
• Diminished Time to Deployment
• Loss of User Productivity
• Increased helpdesk support calls
Solution: VMware ThinApp
• Agentless application virtualization
decouples applications and data
from the OS
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ThinApp Lifecycle Savings
Develop Custom in-house apps,
3rd-party/vertical solutions
and commercial apps.
Package Apps inside EXE and
MSI files with no
source changes.
VMware
ThinApp Virtual OS
Virtual Registry
Virtual File System
Upgrade
or Patch
Save 50% on
application testing and
Provisioning
Test Apps against desktop
Images and other apps
with real-time diagnostics.
Deploy Apps using existing
management tools and
infrastructure.
Access Apps locally or over a network
on PCs, thin clients and
removable media.
Save up to 60% on Patching, upgrading
and supporting
applications
Save up to 80% on packaging and
deploying applications
IDC TCO Survey 2009
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Deploy Apps Faster
Number of Clicks Elapsed Time (Min) % Faster
Traditional 6 11 N/A
ThinApp Package (MSI) 1 2 450%
ThinApp Streaming (.exe) 1 0 min N/A
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Microsoft Office 2007 Install Duration
Traditional ThinApp
5.5 Times Faster
Duration in Minutes
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VMware Horizon Products – All Include ThinApp
Physical Desktops Virtual Desktops Multi-Device Workspace
VMware Horizon Mirage
Vmware Horizon View
VMware Horizon Workspace
VMware Horizon Suite
Includes ThinApp Includes ThinApp Includes ThinApp
Includes ThinApp
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Windows
Operating System
Physical
Registry
Physical
File System
Windows
Operating System
Physical
Registry
Physical
File System
Windows
Operating System
Physical
Registry
Physical
File System
VMware ThinApp Virtualized App Architecture
ThinApp
Compressed Container (EXE)
Virtual OS (VOS)
Application
Registry Access
File Access
Virtual
Registry
Virtual
File System
Sandbox
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Technical Architecture – Sandbox & Isolation
Sandboxing & Isolation Modes provide security and persistence.
• Isolation Mode settings define level of interaction with underlying file system
and registry
• Protecting the underlying operating system
• Protecting the virtualized application
• ThinApp redirects runtime changes to private, per-user/per-app
sandbox location
• Sandbox location is configurable
• User must have modify permission to the location of the Sandbox
• Sandbox is just as portable as the package it self is
• Reset apps to default behavior by deleting the sandbox
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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Introduction to Application Packaging
Steps for packaging an application with ThinApp:
• The Setup Capture utility creates a baseline snapshot before the application
is installed (pre-scan)
• The application is traditionally installed
• The Build phase of Setup Capture creates the virtualized application
package (post-scan)
• Set package “entry points” and package options
• Finish by browsing and building the project
Pre-scan Install application
Post-scan Set project
options
Browse project and
build package
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages
Deployment Methods – Electronic Software Distribution (ESD)
• Deploy ThinApp packages in MSI format through existing ESD solutions to
managed desktops
• Leverage existing process
and workflow
• Application performance based on
local resources
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Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages
Deployment Methods – Streaming
• Stream from Windows fileserver share
• No desktop client or specialized server
infrastructure required
• Read-only network share is the only
infrastructure requirement
• Packages load directly into memory
• Beneficial for VMware View and Citrix
environments
• Use DFS or other namespace-based
access and replication technologies for
branch offices
• Use thinreg.exe for native look and
feel
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Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages
Deployment Methods – Using Portable/Alternative Media
• Run applications from portable
media devices on any endpoint
• Enable workforce mobility and full
application portability without
compromising security
• No install required
• User mode execution allows for
deployment on locked down PCs
• Make use of Dropbox or similar
product to replicate packages to
local clients
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Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages
Deployment Methods – VMware Horizon View
• Simplify software delivery
• Eliminate application conflicts
• Integration without dedicated
server infrastructure
• Streamline patch updates
• Modify one package for an
entire environment
• Perform in-place upgrades
• Reduce storage
• Reuse templates
• Reduce image size and
complexity
• Deliver applications
from network
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Deploying VMware ThinApp Packages
Horizon View Further Simplifies Application Management Through
Integrated Application Assignment
• Assign ThinApp applications to:
• Individual View desktop
• Pool of View desktops
• Deliver ThinApp applications as:
• Full
• Streaming
• Packages must be MSI format
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Horizon Workspace - ThinApp
Gain control of ThinApp leases and updates
Expanded Management for Horizon &
ThinApp
Monitor application launch and
license usage
Support for application updates
and patches
Supports both local and streaming
deployment mode
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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• Parent/Child relationship between Linked Apps
• Can link One Parent to Many Child Apps
• Can link Many Parents to One Child App
• Optional Linking possible – used when needed
• Required Linking possible – ensured during launch
• Recursive linking supported
• Any combination of the above is viable
• ThinApp packaged apps can talk to the each other as well as the child app’s dependencies
• Enables interoperability between virtual applications and underlying OS
• Reduces package size to ease deployment & delivery
• Enhances update procedures by allowing future updates to necessary components only
One Parent to Many Child Apps Many Parents to One Child App
Application Link
How it works Benefits
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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Updating ThinApp Application Packages
Distributing updates with the help of MSI
• Reuses existing processes
• No need for uninstallation scripts
• Make MSIProductVersion= higher than previously deployed MSI and it will
automatically uninstall existing package and install new version
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Updating ThinApp Application Packages
In-place Update
• Repackage entire application and change file extension to an integer
• Example – current_package_name.1 or current_package_name.exe.1
• Place new package in same distribution point folder as current package
• Networked-based users automatically stream new version into memory on next
launch of application package
• Current application remains running and unchanged
• Subsequent updates
• Copy additional updates with increasing integer file extension (.2, .3, .4, and so on) to
same folder
• ThinApp always runs the package with highest numbered extension
• Revert to older version by deleting unwanted package versions
• Example use case – Performing a major application update during
production hours
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In-Place Updates – Unique Delivery Method for Updates
Application A.exe
Version 1
Application A.exe
Version 2
Application A.1
Version 2
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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ThinApp.Next – Core Architecture
Enterprise Readiness and Improved Architecture
Overview
Support for 64-bit application architecture
Virtualizing at lower layers with NT.DLL
Built in data collection to monitor platform usage
Benefits
64-bit application support
Expanded application compatibility
Better sustaining architecture
Supported integration with AppSense Operating System
ThinApp Virtualization
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ThinApp – Enhanced Distribution in Horizon Workspace
Robust delivery of ThinApps to all Windows™ devices
Overview
Cloud based (HTTP) delivery to non-domain endpoints
Windows DFS support for app distribution
ThinApp.Next packages with 64-bit apps
Kerberos authentication for seamless login
Benefits
User-friendly catalog and IT-friendly deployment
Scalability in large enterprise deployments
Flexible deployment for BYOD & wireless devices
VPN-less delivery of Windows Apps
Instrumentation for usage & entitlement
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Agenda
ThinApp overview and architecture
How to create a package
How to deploy packages
Application Linking (AppLink)
In-place update mechanism
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
Wrap up
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Wrap Up - Key Takeaways
ThinApp architecture
• Agentless
• No infrastructure needed
How to create a package
• Use a clean base image
• Win7 – Win7 easiest, use WinXP –
Win7 only when forced
How to deploy packages
• Streaming, register using
thinreg.exe
• Local deployment, use MSI
Application Linking (AppLink)
• Enables modular software
deployment
In-place update mechanism
• Unique method
• Deploy updates in full production
with zero downtime
What’s new in ThinApp.Next
• 64-bit application support
• Greater application capability
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Wrap up - LINKS
ThinApp blog
http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/
ThinApp community
https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/thinapp
ThinApp product page
http://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp/overview.html
Follow me on Twitter:
@thepeb
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Other VMworld Activities Related to This Session
Hands-On Labs:
HOL-MBL-1311
Applied ThinApp with the Horizon Suite
EUC4629