Lab 05: Application capture using the App Volumes Tools

Objective and Tasks

This lab will take you through the steps required to initiate an application package capture from a standalone Windows endpoint, installed with the App Volumes Tools.

The captured package will be generated in three formats (VHD, MSI and VMDK)

The capture output will be transferred to an App Volumes Manager, imported and assigned to a user to validate success of capture, import and launch of a captured App Volumes application.

  1. Install the App Volumes Tools on a standalone Windows endpoint
  2. Lab cleanup tasks to prepare the App Volumes environment
  3. Capture FileZilla using App Volumes Tools
  4. Optional Lab: converting VHD to an MSI package
  5. Upload FileZilla package to App Volumes Manager Storage
  6. Carry out operational tasks, assign and validate success
Expand or collapse content Task 1: Install the App Volumes Tools on a standalone Windows endpoint

Leverage the clean installation snapshot of the App Volumes packaging machine from vCenter. Install the App Volumes tools and take a new snapshot, which will be used to capture in the next task.

  1. Navigate to vCenter identify and Power ON the packaging machine
    • Log in to the ControlCenter VM
    • Username: administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
    • Open the Google Chrome browser from the desktop
    • Click on vCenter-01 link from the bookmark bar to connect to the vCenter https://vcenter01.omnissatraining.com
    • Login using the following credentials
    • Username: [email protected]
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
  2. Within the vCenter web console, identify and Power ON the App Volumes packaging virtual machine
    • Navigate to vcenter01 > DC1 > Cluster1
    • Right click on the appvolprov-01a VM
    • From the menu, select Snapshots
    • Select on Manage Snapshot in the sub-menu
    • Select the 'baseline' snapshot
    • Click on the REVERT button
  3. On confirmation of completion the Revert Snapshot task in the Recent Tasks tab, power ON the VM
    • Right click on the appvolprov-01a VM
    • Select Power > Power On
  4. Log into the Appvolprov-01a VM
    • Click on the Summary tab
    • Click on the Launch Web Console button
    • In the Appvolprov-01a tab, log into the VM
    • Username: Administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
  5. Install the App Volumes Tools
    • Open the File Explore
    • Navigate to the file share '\\Labfiler\Resources'
    • Go to the folder path: 'Software\AppVolumes\appvol2603\installation'
    • Double-click on the Setup.msi file
  6. Install workflow
    • In the installer screen, click on Next
    • Select Install App Volumes Tools
    • Click Install
    • Click on Next
    • Click on Install to start the installation of the 'App Volumes Tools'
    • Complete the installation, click on Finish
    • Click on Yes to reboot the VM
  7. Confirm installation once the VM has restarted
    • Log back into the VM
    • Username: Administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
    • Click on the Windows Start button, search for the program 'appwiz.cpl'
    • Launch the Control Panel item (Programs and Features)
    • Confirm that 'App Volumes Tools' is listed under the installed apps list.
    • Shutdown the Appvolprov-01a VM
  8. Go back to vCenter and take a new snapshot of the current state of the VM
    • From the vCenter tab in Google Chrome
    • Navigate to vcenter01 > DC1 > Cluster1
    • Confirm the appvolprov-01a VM is in the powered OFF state before proceeding to the next step
    • Right click on the appvolprov-01a VM
    • From the menu, select Snapshots
    • Select on Manage Snapshot in the sub-menu
    • Ensure that the 'baseline' snapshot is highlighted
    • Click on the TAKE SNAPSHOT button
      • Take Snapshot - Name: AV_Tools_ready_for_capture
      • Optional: provide a description
      • Ensure both check boxes are unchecked
      • Click on the CREATE button
      • Validate output should reflect the below hierarchy having two snapshots under the baseline snapshot

The following allows for the administrator to capture from the App Volumes Tools snapshot as well as the Agent snapshot. Or can be used to capture from the Tools snapshot and validate initial delivery to the Agent snapshot, if the environment is limited with just one VM to capture and test.

Expand or collapse content Task 2: Lab cleanup tasks to prepare the App Volumes environment

In this lab, we will proceed to delete the earlier captured FileZilla application, and recapture the same software using App Volumes Tools.

  1. Log into the App Volumes Manager admin console
    • Open a second browser tab within Google Chrome
    • Select appvol-02a from the bookmark bar
    • Username: administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
    • Click login
  2. Delete the FileZilla Application and Package
    • Click on Inventory > Applications
    • Select checkbox next to the FileZilla application
    • Click on DELETE
    • Confirm DELETE
    • Go to the Inventory > Packages tab
    • Validate deletion of FileZilla
    • Go to the Inventory > Applications tab
    • Validate deletion of FileZilla
    • Go back to the vCenter01
Expand or collapse content Task 3: Capture FileZilla using App Volumes Tools

Next steps are to log in to the packaging VM, initiate the app capture using the App Volumes appcapture tool. Install and capture FileZilla, generating three App Volumes output formats (VHD, MSI and VMDK)

  1. Within the vCenter web console, identify and Power ON the App Volumes packaging virtual machine
    • Navigate to vcenter01 > DC1 > Cluster1
    • Right click on the appvolprov-01a VM
    • From the menu, select Snapshots
    • Select on Revert to Snapshot in the sub-menu
    • Confirm the snapshot selection show the 'AV_Tools_Ready_for_capture' snapshot
    • Click on the REVERT button
  2. On confirmation of completion the Revert Snapshot task in the Recent Tasks tab, power ON the appvolprov-01a VM
    • Right click on the appvolprov-01a VM
    • Select Power > Power On
  3. Log into the Appvolprov-01a VM
    • Click on the Summary tab
    • Click on the Launch Web Console button
    • In the Appvolprov-01a tab, log into the VM
    • Username: Administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd

App capture using App Volumes Tools - reference the command line from the product documentation - https://docs.omnissa.com/bundle/AppVolumesAdminGuideV2603/page/CaptureanAppVolumesApplication.html

  1. Use PowerShell to generate a new GUID and run Windows Commands to start the App Volumes appcapture.exe process
    • Open an elevated command prompt
    • In the command prompt, type in PowerShell and hit enter
  2. At the PowerShell prompt, generate a 'new-Guid" for the FileZilla application
    • Type new-Guid and hit enter
    • Observe and note down a newly auto-generated GUID has been created
  3. Return to the Command prompt from within the PowerShell prompt
    • Type exit and hit enter
    • Shown is a sample output

Capturing an MSI file, has an application GUID already embedded in the MSI table of the application, which will be read by the App Volumes appcapture tool during the capture.

Capturing an EXE file, requires the administrator/packager to generate a GUID using the PowerShell CMD (new-Guid), use this generated GUID or a Custom GUID to the added App Volumes appcapture syntax, which will be added to the final output package and JSON files.

  1. Launch an elevated Command prompt
  2. Start the App Volumes 'appcapture.exe' tool and initiate the capture process
    • In the Command prompt, paste the following syntax along with the GUID created from the previous step
    • Appcapture.exe Start /Name FileZilla_3_70_4 /Upgradecode GUID
      • Input the GUID from the previous steps, example shown below

Note: without the /Format - the output will generate a VHD+JSON file by default. If you require a specific or multiple formats, use the /Format MSI,VHD,VMDK option

  1. Get the FileZilla Application
    • Open the File Explorer
    • Navigate to the folder location \\Labfiler\resources\software\filezilla
    • Copy the path of the installer
      • Right-click the installer FileZilla_3.70.4_win64_sponsored2-setup.exe
      • select 'Copy as path'
      • Minimize the File Explorer
      • Go back to the Command prompt window
  2. Installing FileZilla
    • Paste the file path into the Command prompt window
  • The FileZilla setup wizard opens
    • Minimize the Command prompt and File Explorer
  • Click on 'I Agree' and continue with the installation
  • 'Decline' installing the optional Google Chrome Browser
  • Click Next
  • Always select the 'all users' option if prompted for any application installed
  • Click Next

To deliver an App Volumes Package using the Apps On-Demand method, the installed application should be configured with a 'Desktop Icon' or be listed in the 'Start Menu'

  1. Completing the FileZilla installation
    • Check the 'Desktop Icon' box
    • Click Next
    • Click Next on the application destination folder
    • Ensure that the 'Do not create shortcut' on the Start Menu, is unchecked
    • Click on Install
    • On completion, uncheck the 'Start FileZilla now'
    • Click on the Finish button to close the installer
  2. Stop the App Volumes 'appcapture' tool capture process
    • Go back to Command prompt
    • Type in the following
      • Appcapture.exe finalize
    • This will stop the capture process, reboot the packaging machine and provide confirmation of the capture.
  3. On confirmation, close the Command prompt, validate the App Volumes output package
    • Log back into the Appvolprov-01a VM
    • Username: Administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
      • Wait for the appcapture tool to complete the capture process and confirm
    • App Volumes summary displays the output folder
    • Close the Command prompt
    • Open the File Explorer
    • Navigate to the "C:\ProgramData\Omnissa\AppVolumes\Packages" folder
    • Observe the output (VHD and JSON file for FileZilla_3_70_4 package)

The FileZilla_3_70_4.report.html file is a 'View Package Report' that is an HTML version of the files/folders/registry entries captured during the packaging process. Export the report if needed to a shared folder if needed for later review.

Expand or collapse content Optional Task: Converting the existing VHD package to the MSI format

The App Volumes App Capture command line program uses the 'convert' parameter to convert between formats.

Below is an example to convert an App Volumes VHD to MSI package.

Using the product documentation you can convert VMDK to VHD or MSI. Even convert legacy App-V packages to App Volumes VHD.

https://docs.omnissa.com/bundle/AppVolumesAdminGuideV2606/page/WindowsCommand-LineArgumentsfortheAppVolumesApplicationCaptureCommand-LineProgram.html

  1. Convert the existing VHD to a MSI
    • Open an elevated Command Prompt
  2. Run the below 'AppCapture' command
    • appcapture.exe convert /file "C:\ProgramData\Omnissa\AppVolumes\Packages\FileZilla_3_70_4.vhd" /format MSI
    • Go back to the output folder and confirm the generation of the new MSI file

The MSI file can be used with Workspace ONE UEM or other software delivery solutions to deliver this App Volumes MSI Package.

The Windows Endpoint should have App Volumes Agent 2412 or higher (same or higher version of the App Volumes Tools that was used to capture the MSI package)

Expand or collapse content Task 4: Upload FileZilla package to App Volumes Manager Storage
  1. Copy the package files from the Appvolprov-01a machine to the App Volumes 'packages' storage folder location
    • Open the File Explore from within the Appvolprov-01a VM
    • Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Omnissa\AppVolumes\Packages
  2. Mount App Volumes shared folder
    1. From another File Explorer tab, run the batch file 'MapAppVolumesStorage.bat' from the C:\Scripts folder
  3. Copy the JSON and VHD package files
    • Copy the 'FileZilla_3_70_4.vhd' and 'FileZilla_3_70_4.json' files
    • From: C:\ProgramData\Omnissa\AppVolumes\Packages
    • To: Z:\appvolumes\packages
    • Validate the below as the desired output
  1. Power off the Appvolprov-01a and revert the snapshot.
    • Shutdown the OS, clicking on Start Button > Power button > Shutdown
  2. Go to the vCenter tab and revert to the 'AV_Tools_Ready_for_capture' snapshot
    • On the vCenter tab
    • Click on the appvolprov-01a vm
    • Go to the Snapshots tab
    • Select the 'AV_Tools_Ready_for_capture' snapshot
    • Click on the REVERT button
    • Confirm REVERT
    • The confirmation is displayed at the bottom of the browser screen, under 'Recent Tasks.'
Expand or collapse content Task 5: Carry out operational tasks, assign and validate success

All the steps in this section will be carried out in the App Volumes Admin console.

  1. Log into the App Volumes Manager admin console, Import FileZilla and configure the package CURRENT marker
    • From the Google Chrome browser bookmark bar, launch appvol-02a
    • Log into the App Volumes Manager admin console
    • Username: administrator
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
  2. Check for the new Application and Package under INVENTORY > Applications
    • Click on the IMPORT button
    • In the Import Applications section, click on the IMPORT button
    • Confirm IMPORT
  3. Refresh the Applications tab to confirm FileZilla has been added
    • Click on the Application tab (or) hit the refresh button, next to the 'Show 10' drop-down menu
    • Confirm presence of the 'FileZilla' application

If the Application name reflects "FileZilla_3_70_4", expand the 'Application', click on 'EDIT', update the name to 'FileZilla', and confirm.

  1. Confirm the Package details and set the package marker as CURRENT
    • Click on the Inventory > Packages tab
    • Confirm package 'FileZilla_3_70_4' existing
    • Expand the package, click on the SET CURRENT button
    • Confirm SET CURRENT
  2. Configure a User ASSIGNMENT to the capture application
    • Navigate to INVENTORY > Applications
    • Expand the application: FileZilla
    • Click on the ASSIGN button
    • Search for 'Horizon-Students' AD Group
    • Select the checkbox next to the 'Horizon-Students' entry
    • Ensure Assignment Type = Marker
    • Click on the ASSIGN button
    • Confirm ASSIGN
  3. Connect to a Horizon 8 virtual desktop (installed with the App Volumes Agent in the previous lab)
    • Minimize the browser and any applications open within the ControlCenter VM
    • From the Desktop, double-click and launch the Omnissa Horizon Client
  4. The Horizon Client is already configured to connect to Horizon 8
    • Double-click on the horizon-02a.omnissatraining.com connection icon within the Horizon Client
    • Authenticate using username: Student1
    • Password: Pa$$w0rd
    • Click Login
    • You should be connected and have the virtual desktop pool: Win11-Site2 and NotepadS2 application listed
  5. Connect to the virtual desktop and launch the FileZilla application, and confirm the App Volumes package has been attached
    • Double-click on the Win11-Site2 icon
    • Wait for the desktop session to log you in
  6. Once logged in, you will see the FileZilla application icon on the desktop
    • Double-click and launch the FileZilla application
    • Notice the App Volumes Agent mount information box pop-up in the bottom-right corner of the desktop
    • Followed by the launching of the FileZilla application
    • Minimize the Horizon Client desktop session from the Horizon Client toolbar at the top of the screen
    • Proceed to the validation steps shown below
  7. Finally, validate the Package Attachment in the App Volume admin console
  8. From the ControlCenter, log back into the App Volumes Admin console
    • Navigate to the Inventory > Attachments tab
    • Validate that the Package/Volume 'FileZilla_3_70_4' corresponding to Application ' FileZilla' is reporting as attached to the target virtual desktop.

This concludes this lab to capture an application offline, using the App Volumes Tools. Followed by the administrative tasks to getting the Application and Package into the App Volumes Manager, ready for assignment.

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