4. App Volumes Operations

As a minimum requirement, you must have completed Lab 3 before starting this lab.

We will demonstrate the Integration of App Volumes across the EUC stack

You might have noticed the bothersome App Volumes agent prompt when logging into Horizon Virtual Desktops on Site 1.

This is because when the App Volumes agent is installed, by default its installed to perform a certificate validation of the App Volumes Manager. The App Volumes Manager requires a CA Signed certificate. In Part 1 we will start off by replacing the self-signed certificates on the App Volumes manager for Site 1 with CA signed certificates.

Part 1. Packaging Creation for Apps on Demand
Section 1: Packaging Mozilla Firefox for Apps on Demand

This is the first of two Package captures to demonstrate Apps on Demand

  1. In the App Volumes Admin Console
    • select the INVENTORY tab
      • under INVENTORY
        • ensure you are in the  Applications area
          • to the right side of the window
          • select CREATE
  1. In the Create Application window
    • next to Name
      • type Mozilla Firefox
        • keep all the other settings default
          • select CREATE
        • In the Confirm Create Application window
          • select CREATE
  1. In the Create Package for Mozilla Firefox window,
    • next to Name
      • type Firefox 25
    • In line with Delivery
      • next to On-demand
        • select the radio button
      • select CREATE
    • on the Confirm Create Package window
      • select CREATE
  • Select the Packages tab,
    • Notice that once the Application and Package has been created, the Package itself has a status of Unpackaged
  1. Under the Packages tab
    • expand the Firefox 25 package
      • select the PACKAGE button
  1. In the Package for Firefox25 window
    • next to Find Packaging Computer
      • select SEARCH
  1. In the Package for Firefox25 window
    • next to TECHSEALS\APPVOLPROV-01A$
      • select the radio button
    • select PACKAGE
    • on the Confirm Start Packaging window
      • select START PACKAGING
  1. On the ControlCenter server Desktop,
    • open the Remote Desktops folder
      • launch the appvolprov-01a.RDP shortcut

you should be automatically logged in as [email protected] with the password Pa$$w0rd

  1. On the AppVolProv-01a  Desktop
    • In the bottom right - corner, notice you have a Omnissa App Volumes window open.
  • If nothing shows, restart your virtual machine and reconnect using your RDP session.
  • DO NOT click OK until we have finished all installation and configuration
  1. On your AppVolProv-01a Desktop
    • open the software shortcut
      • In the software folder
        • browse to \Applications\firefox
      • In the firefox folder
        • double-click on Firefox Setup 25.0
        • select Run
          • select `Next > Next > Install > Finish
        • The browser should launch automatically.
      • On the Import Wizard
        • next to Dont import anything
          • select the radio button  
        • select Next
      • In the default browser window
        • select No
      • Close the browser
  1. On the AppVolProv-01a VM,
    • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Packaging in progress window
      • select OK
    • on the Installation complete? window
      • select Yes
    • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Finalize Package
      • select Finalize
    • on the Restart required window
      • select OK
      • give the virtual machine at least 2 minutes to reboot
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • from the Remote Desktops > Site 1 folder
      • reconnect to  AppVolProv-01a.RDP
    • notice there is now a Packaging successful message
      • select OK
    • Shut down your AppVolProv-01a virtual machine
  1. On your ControlCenter server desktop
    • Open your Site 1 Chrome browser,
      • switch back to your vSphere Web Client,
    • In the vSphere Web Client
      • select AppVolProv-01a
        • right-click
          • from the pop-out window
            • select Snapshots > Revert to latest Snapshot
          • on the Revert to latest Snapshot window
            • select REVERT
    • select the  AppVolProv-01a  Virtual Machine
      • right-click
        • select Power > Power On
  1. On the App Volumes Admin Console
    • select the Inventory > Packages area
      • expand Mozilla Firefox25.
        • select the SET CURRENT box
    • on the Confirm Set CURRENT window
      • select SET CURRENT box
  1. On the App Volumes Admin Console
    • In the INVENTORY > Applications tab
      • expand Mozilla Firefox
        • select ASSIGN
  1. In the Assign Application: Mozilla Firefox window
    • next to Search Active Directory
      • type Developers
    • select SEARCH
  1. In the Assign Application: Mozilla Firefox window
    • in line with TECHSEALS\Developers
      • select the checkbox
        • select ASSIGN
    • In the Confirm Assign, window
      • select ASSIGN
    • Repeat the task for the following security group
      • Techseals\Sales
Section 2: Packaging Filezilla for Apps on Demand
  1. In the App Volumes Admin Console
    • select the INVENTORY tab
      • under INVENTORY
        • ensure you are in the  Applications area
          • select CREATE
  1. In the CREATE Application window
    • next to Name
      • type FileZilla,
        • keep all the other settings default
        • select CREATE
        • In the Confirm CREATE Application window
          • select CREATE
  1. In the CREATE Package for FileZilla window,
    • next to Name
      • type FileZilla v1.0
    • In line with Delivery
      • next to On-demand
        • select the radio button
      • select CREATE
    • on the Confirm CREATE Package window
      • select CREATE
  • Select the Packages tab,
    • Notice that once the Application and Package has been created, the Package itself has a status of Unpackaged
  1. Under the Packages tab
    • expand the FileZilla 1.0 package
      • In the FileZilla 1.0 area
        • to the right
          • select the PACKAGE button
  1. In the Package for FileZilla v1.0 window
    • next to Find Packaging Computer
      • enter rdsh
        • select SEARCH
  1. In the Package for FileZilla v1.0 window
    • select the TECHSEALS\RDSHProv-01A$ radio button
      • select PACKAGE
    • on the Confirm Start Packaging window
      • select START PACKAGING
  1. On the ControlCenter server Desktop,
    • open the Remote Desktops folder
      • launch the RDSHProv-01a.RDP shortcut
        • If necessary
          • log in as techseals\administrator
          • In the password area
            • enter Pa$$w0rd
  1. On the RDSHprov-01a server
    • In the Right - Hand corner notice the Omnissa App Volumes - Packaging in progress window
    • DO NOT click OK until we have finished all installation and configuration

If nothing shows, restart your virtual machine and reconnect using your RDP session.

  1. On the RDSHProv-01a server
    • from the Desktop
      • select and double-click the Software shortcut
  1. In the Software folder
    • browse to \Applications
      • In the Applications folder
        • Double-click on FileZilla_3.22.2.2_win64-setup_bundled2
          • select Run
          • select I Agree
          • select `Next > Next > Next > Next > Install > Finish
      • after FileZilla launches
        • Close FileZilla
  1. On the RDSHProv-01a server
    • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Packaging in progress window
      • select OK
    • On the Installation complete? window
      • select Yes
    • On the Omnissa App Volumes - Finalize Package
      • select Finalize
    • On the Restart required window
      • select OK
      • Give the virtual machine at least 2 minutes to reboot
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • from the Remote Desktops > Site 1 folder
      • reconnect to  RDSHProv-01a.RDP
    • notice there is now a Packaging successful message
      • select OK
    • Shut down your RDSHProv-01a virtual machine
  1. On your ControlCenter server desktop
    • Open your Site 1 Chrome browser,
      • switch back to your vSphere Web Client,
    • In the vSphere Web Client
      • select RDSHProv-01a
        • right-click
          • select Revert to latest Snapshot
          • on the Revert to latest Snapshot window
            • select REVERT

 

  1. On the App Volumes Admin Console
    • select the Inventory > Packages area
      • refresh the page
      • expand FileZilla
        • select the Set CURRENT box
    • on the Confirm Set CURRENT window
      • select Set CURRENT box

Note , we will do Apps on Demand for Published Applications. So we will not do the assignment in App Volumes

Part 2. Testing Apps on Demand Package delivery
  1. From your ControlCenter server
    • open the Remote Desktops > Site 1 folder
      • launch the W11Client-01a.RDP shortcut

you should be automatically logged on as [email protected] with the password Pa$$w0rd

  1. on your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • launch the  Horizon Client
      • in the Horizon Client
        • select corp.techseals.co
        • on the Horizon client login
          • In the username area
          • In the password area
            • enter Pa$$w0rd
          • select Login
        • In the Horizon Client
          • select the Enterprise_Desktop  entitlement
  1. On your Horizon Virtual Desktop session
    • note you have a Mozilla Firefox shortcut
      • do not select the shortcut just yet
      • In the Taskbar , Search area
        • enter CMD
          • under the Command Prompt
            • select  Open

Note you have no issue with the App Volumes agent anymore. This is because we changed the self-signed certificate to a CA signed cert

  1. On your Horizon Virtual Desktop session
    • in the Command Prompt window
      • enter hostname

Note the Hostname

  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • on your Site 1 Browser,
      • switch to your vSphere Web Client session
        • select W11INST-x
          • x = { YOUR Noted Desktop}
          • right-click
            • select Edit Settings...
  1. In the Edit Settings window
    • Note you only have ONE hard disk , that being Hard disk 1
    • select CANCEL
    • switch back to your W11Client-01a virtual desktop session
  1. On your Horizon Virtual Desktop session
    • double-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut
      • Note, you will get a brief App delivery in progress pop up in your taskbar
    • In the Import Settings and Data window
      • next to Don't import anything
        • select the radio button
      • select Next
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • on your Site 1 Browser,
      • switch to your vSphere Web Client session
        • select BW11INST-x
          • x = { YOUR Noted Desktop}
            • right-click
        • select Edit Settings....
  1. In the Edit Settings window
    • Note you now have Two hard disks
      • next to Hard disk 2
        • select the Expand icon
    • next to Disk File, note the file name
      • select CANCEL
  1. On your Horizon Virtual Desktop session
    • next to Fullscreen
      • select the MORE icon
        • from the dropdown
          • select Logoff Desktop
    • In the Disconnect and log off desktop? window
      • select OK
  1. On your w11Client-01a desktop
    • Horizon Client
      • select Disconnect
    • In the Log off server? window
      • select OK
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • Site 1 Browser
      • from the Favourites Bar
        • select the Horizon Site 1 shortcut
  1. In the Horizon login
    • User Name area
      • enter administrator
    • in the password area
      • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select SIGN IN
Part 3. Configuring Apps on Demand for RDS based Farms
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • In the Horizon Admin Console menu
      • expand Settings
        • select Servers
  1. In the Servers area
    • select the App Volumes Managers tab
      • under App Volumes Managers
        • select ADD
  1. In the Add App Volumes Manager window
    • add the following next to:-
      • Server Address appvol-01a.techseals.co
      • User Name administrator
      • Password Pa$$w0rd
    • select OK
  1. In the App Volumes Manager Server area
    • next to:- appvol-01a.techseals.co
      • select the radio button
    • next to CERTIFICATE
      • from the dropdown
        • select Push Certificate
  1. In the Push Certificate window
    • select OK
  1. In the Horizon admin console
    • In the left Menu
      • expand Inventory
        • select Farms
  1. In the Farms area
    • next to RDSFarm-BLR
      • select the checkbox
    • below Farms,
      • select MORE COMMANDS
        • from the dropdown
          • select Associate App Volumes Manager
  1. In the Associate App Volumes Manager window
    • from the dropdown
      • select appvol-01a.techseals.co
        • select OK
  1. In the Horizon admin console
    • In the left Menu
      • expand Inventory
        • select Applications
  1. In the Application Pools area
    • next to ADD
      • from the dropdown
        • select Add from App Volumes Manager
  1. In the Add Application Pool wizard
    • next to FileZilla
      • select the checkbox
        • select NEXT
  1. In the Add Application Pool wizard
    • Accept the defaults
      • select SUBMIT
  1. In the Add Entitlements window
    • select ADD
  1. In the Find User or Group window
    • in line with Name/User Name , next to Starts with
      • enter Developers
        • select FIND
      • below FIND
        • next to Developers
          • select the Checkbox
      • select OK
    • to close the Add Entitlements window
      • select OK
Part 4. Testing Apps on Demand Package with Published Applications
  1. On your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • on the Horizon Client
      • select corp.techseals.co
      • on the Horizon client login
        • In the username area
        • In the password area
          • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select Login
  1. On your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • Horizon Client session
      • launch the FileZilla  entitlement
  1. On your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • note you have a FileZilla launched on your desktop
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • on your Site 1 Browser,
      • switch to your vSphere Web Client session
        • it could be RDSBLR-01-2
          • select & right-click
            • select Edit Settings...

with APPs On-Demand, any one of the servers in the Farm might be selected for the mounting of the Package

  1. In the Edit Settings window
    • Note you now have Two hard disks
      • next to Hard disk 3
        • select the Expand icon
    • next to Disk File, note the file name
      • select CANCEL
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • on your  vSphere Web Client session
      • select RDSBLR-01-1
        • select & right-click
          • select Edit Settings...

This is one of the of the other RDS Hosts in the farm

  1. In the Edit Settings window
    • Note you now have only 1 Hard disk
      • select CANCEL
  1. On your w11Client-01a desktop
    • Close the FileZilla RDS session
    • on the Horizon Client
      • select Disconnect
    • In the Log off server? window
      • select OK
Part 5. Packaging for Dynamic Environment Manager integrations

In the is Part we will use a Classic Delivery method and demonstrate what we can do with Dynamic Environment Manager and Shortcuts with Classic delivery. We cannot use Dynamic Environment Manager shortcuts with On-Demand Delivery.

  1. In the  Site 1 App Volumes manager Admin console
    • under Inventory > Applications
      • expand Mozilla Firefox
        • select CREATE PACKAGE
  1. In the Site 1 App Volumes manager Admin console
    • Packages tab
      • in the CREATE Package for Mozilla Firefox window
        • next to Name
          • enter Firefox latest
        • in line with Delivery
          • next to Classic
          • select the radio button
        • select CREATE
        • In the Confirm CREATE Package window
          • select CREATE
  1. In the App Volumes manager Admin console
    • select the Packages tab
      • expand Firefox Latest
        • select PACKAGE
  1. In the Package for Firefox Latest window
    • next to Find Packaging Computer
      • type AppVolProv
        • select SEARCH
    • in the below Search area
      • next to Available
        • select the radio button
          • select PACKAGE
    • on the Confirm Start Packaging window
      • select START PACKAGING
  1. On the ControlCenter server Desktop,
    • open the Remote Desktops\Site1 folder
      • launch the appVolProv-01a.RDP shortcut
      • log in as:
  1. On your AppVolProv-01a Desktop
    • In the Right - Hand corner notice you have a Omnissa App Volumes window open.
    • DO NOT select OK until we have finished all installation and configuration

Note If the App Volumes Pop-Up does not show, Restart the desktop and login again

  1. On your AppVolProv-01a Desktop
    • open the software shortcut
      • browse to \software\Applications\Firefox
        • double-click on Firefox Setup 72.0.1
          • select Run
            • select Next > Next > Install > Finish
              • The browser should launch automatically.
  • We will start to remove all references to Firefox. ie shortcuts from the Desktop.
  • In a later lab, we will manage these functions, using Dynamic Environment Manager
  1. In your Firefox Browser
    • select the 3 slats in the top right-hand corner
      • select Help > About Firefox
        • select Restart to update Firefox
    • REPEAT these steps until Firefox is up to date
    • Close Mozilla Firefox
  1. On your AppVolProv-01a Desktop
    • select the Firefox shortcut
      • right-click
        • select  Delete
    • select the Start button
      • from the launch  Menu,
        • select > right click the Mozilla Firefox icon
          • Delete the Firefox Shortcut
      • on the Desktop
        • Empty Recycle Bin
  1. On the AppVolProv desktop,
    • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Packaging in progress window
      • select OK
    • on the Installation complete? window
      • select Yes
    • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Finalize Package window
      • select Finalize
    • on the Restart required window
      • select OK
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • open the Remote Desktops\Site1 folder
      • launch the appVolProv-01a.RDP shortcut
    • log in as:
      • Username: [email protected]
      • Password: Pa$$w0rd
        • select OK
      • on the Omnissa App Volumes - Packaging complete window
        • select OK
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • Go to your vSphere web client,
      • select your AppVolProv-01a machine
        • right-click
          • select Snapshot > Revert to latest Snapshot
            • select REVERT
        • select AppVolProv-01a VM
          • select Power on
  1. On your ControlCenter server.
    • In your APP Volumes Manager console,
      • In INVENTORY > Packages
        • below Packages
          • refresh the screen
        • expand Firefox latest
          • select SET CURRENT
      • in the Confirm Set CURRENT window
        • select SET CURRENT

Notice that that the green CURRENT marker is no longer next to Firefox 25

  1. In APP Volumes Manager,
    • under Packages
      • Note! Firefox latest and FileZilla v1.0 are set to CURRENT
Part 6. Using Dynamic ENVIRONMENT MANAGER to assign and manage applications delivered using App Volumes Packages

When we launched Firefox application any settings we would make to the App Volumes Package would be lost. The package itself is a Read Only container.

We will now see how we can manage application settings using Dynamic Environment Manager. We can also manage shortcuts for applications using Dynamic Environment Manager

Section 1. Setting up configurations for the Mozilla Firefox application
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • from the Taskbar
      • select the DEM shortcut
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • below General
      • next to Applications
      • select the Expand Icon

From the 2406 release onwards. The Dynamic Environment Manager Download Config Template interface is not available by default. Its in a deprecated state and will be removed from future releases.

  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • select Download Config Template File
    • In the Download Configuration Templates window
      • select OK
  1. In the Configuration Templates Repository window
    • scroll down until you find Mozilla Firefox
      • next to Mozilla Firefox
        • select the Checkbox
          • select the Save
            • select the Close
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • below Applications
      • next to Mozilla Firefox
        • select the checkbox
  • Notice you now have a Configuration template for Mozilla Firefox in your Inventory.
  • Notice the Import / Export registry and application folder structure this application uses.
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • select the Condition Sets tab
      • In the Condition Sets area
        • select Create
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • in the Condition Set Window
      • enter the following
        • next to Name:
          • enter Core Users
      • select Add
        • select Group Membership
  1. In the Group Membership window
    • select Browse
      • in the Group Membership window
        • enter Developers
          • select Check Names
            • select OK
        • repeat the same procedure for the Marketing and Sales
          • Ensure that between your Conditions we change AND to OR
      • at the bottom of the window
        • select Save
  1. On the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • switch back to the Personalization tab
      • under Applications
        • select Mozilla Firefox
  1. In the Mozilla Firefox settings
    • select the Conditions tab
      • In the Conditions area
        • select Add
  1. In the Mozilla Firefox settings
    • In the Conditions dropdown
      • below Use Condition Set
        • select Condition Set
  1. In the Select Condition Set  window
    • select Core Users
      • select OK
  1. In the Mozilla Firefox settings
    • select the DirectFlex tab
      • In the bottom right-corner
        • select Edit...
      • In the DirectFlex executable window
        • remove the explicit path
          • next to Executable:
            • enter firefox.exe
      • In the top Taskbar
        • select Save Config File
Section 2: Creating Shortcut Configuration for the Mozilla Firefox Application
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • select the User Environment Tab
      • from the inventory
        • select Shortcuts,
          • on the taskbar
            • select CREATE
  1. In the Dynamic Environment Manager - Management Console
    • In the Shortcut Window
      • replace and fill in with the following:
        • Name: Firefox Users
        • Shortcut name: Firefox Users (appears automatically)
        • Target: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
        • Start in: C:\
        • Icon path: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
        • Icon index: 0
        • Destination: select the Desktop checkbox
        • in front of the Programs folder
          • select the checkbox
        • next to Programs folder,
          • type "AppVolumes Applications"
        • in front of "Undo at logoff and refresh during shortcut refresh"
          • select the checkbox
        • in front of "Run asynchronously"
          • select the checkbox
  1. In the Shortcut  settings
    • select the Conditions tab
    • In the Conditions area
      • select Add
      • below Use Condition Set
        • select Condition Set
  1. In the Select Condition Set  window
    • select Core Users
      • select OK
  1. In the Shortcut  settings
    • at the bottom of the window
      • select Save
Part 7. Testing the Updated Packages and seeing the results
  1. On your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • on the Horizon Client
      • select corp.techseals.co
      • on the Horizon client login
        • In the username area
        • In the password area
          • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select Login
  1. On your W11Client-01a Desktop
    • Horizon Client session
      • launch the W11FULLClone entitlement
  1. On the  Horizon virtual desktop session
    • from the Taskbar
      • select the File Explorer folder  
        • In the File Explorer folder
          • Quick Access bar
            • expand This PC
              • select Local Disk (C:)
  • Notice there is a Mozilla Firefox folder and it appears to be deployed natively
  • From 2406 onwards Persistent Desktop Pools are now supported with App Volumes
  1. On the Horizon Desktop Client
    • From the File Explorer window
      • browse to c:\Program Files
    • from the Desktop
      • select the Firefox Users shortcut
  1. In the Mozilla Firefox browser
    • to save a  homepage URL
      • in the top right corner
        • select the Hamburger icon
      • from the dropdown
        • select Settings
  1. In the Mozilla Firefox Settings
    • In the menu
      • select Home
    • next to Homepage and new windows
      • from the dropdown
        • select Custom URLs..
    • below Custom URLs..
      • enter your homepage configuration
    • Close and open Mozilla Firefox to ensure, your homepage configuration is being saved.
  1. On your Horizon Client session
    • next to Exit Fullscreen,
      • select the see more buttons (3 buttons)
    • select Logoff Desktop
      • on the Disconnect and log off desktop window
        • select OK

 

  1. On your W11Client-01a desktop
    • from the  Horizon Client
      • select Enterprise_Desktop
  1. On your Virtual Desktop session
    • select and double-click the Firefox Users shortcut
  1. On your Virtual Desktop session
    • note your Firefox browser now uses the default homepage you defined
  1. On your Horizon Virtual Desktop session
    • next to Fullscreen
      • select the MORE icon
        • from the dropdown
          • select Logoff Desktop
    • In the Disconnect and log off desktop? window
      • select OK
  1. On your w11Client-01a desktop
    • Horizon Client
      • select Disconnect
    • In the Log off server? window
      • select OK
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • open the Remote Desktops > Site 1 folder
      • In the Site 1 folder
        • select and launch W11EXT-01a.RDP

you should automatically be logged in as [email protected] with the password Pa$$w0rd

  1. On the  w11EXT-01a desktop
    • from the Taskbar
      • select the File Explorer shortcut
    • from the QuickAccess bar
      • expand and select This PC
        • select Local Disk (C:)
      • in the Local Disk (C:) area
        • select Program Files
        • In the Program Files area notice you have Mozilla Firefox
        • Close the File Explorer window

Notice your desktop Wallpaper is exactly the same

  1. On the  w11EXT-01a desktop
    • to launch Mozilla Firefox
      • select the Firefox Users shortcut
  1. On the  w11EXT-01a desktop
    • Notice that you have retained your Desktop and Mozilla Firefox application settings
    • from your W11EXT-01a desktop
      • select and right-click START
      • select Shut down or sign out >  Sign out

This concludes this lab , log off and disconnect from all Virtual desktop sessions

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