Select a language to translate this page!
Powered by Microsoft® Translator
Todays post is from Dave Trupkin, Senior Product Manager for App-V and Med-V
I’m coming to you live from Tech·Ed Berlin. Karri Alexion-Tiernan just posted over on the Windows for Your Business a blog outlining Microsoft’s position on Desktop Virtualization describing the “layers” and the importance of management.
I had the opportunity to catch up with some experts on the show floor and get their insights regarding deploying Microsoft’s Desktop Virtualization and as a bonus, Citrix joined us to chat about XenDesktop integration with our virtualization technologies.
Let’s spend some time together to dive in to the different components of the Microsoft Desktop Virtualization stack and talk about deployment tips and resources to help you get started with each. In future posts, we’ll explore the specifics of each technology in greater detail.
User State Virtualization
User State Virtualization (USV) is a collection of technologies that enables synchronization of user data and settings from a single PC to a central location. Once you enable USV, your users will be able to access data that is important to them on devices throughout your network and you will have peace of mind, knowing that you can back-up critical business data that was once saved to vulnerable local storage.
To talk about how to get started with USV, Microsoft Product Manager Skand Mittal caught up with MVP and MCT Justin Rodino on the show floor at Tech·Ed Europe.
Justin recommends the following strategy to get started with USV:
To assist in forming a data management strategy, Justin recommends reviewing the Managing Roaming User Data Deployment Guide on TechNet.
Folder Redirection enables specific folders within user profiles to be redirected to central locations, and is best implemented with Group Policy (GPO). To get more information on Folder Redirection and redirected location in Windows 7, see the Folder Redirection Overview in the Windows server Tech Center.
GPOs for Folder Redirection are located in two primary locations, Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Folder Redirection and User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Folder Redirection
Justin recommends that once you’ve addressed folder redirection, you review TechNet documentation for Roaming User Profiles. Roaming User Profiles enable user profiles to be stored centrally and downloaded to users’ computers at logon. Users enjoy their network drive mappings, printer connections and custom wall paper during their session. When the user logs off, any updated information is returned to the central location. Roaming profiles are configured via GPO at Computer Configuration\Polices\Administrative Templates\System\User Profiles
Application Virtualization with Microsoft’s App-V
App-V is a great way to deliver applications to users throughout your organization. App-V allows you to deploy and update applications faster and reduces application-to-application conflict and the need for regression testing. When combined with USV, App-V allows you to design an environment that allows your users to be productive, with access to their own applications and data, anywhere they sign-on in your network. To get started with App-V, you’ll need to take three basic steps:
- Package your applications for App-V (a process called “Sequencing”)
- Choose your App-V distribution model
- Deploy the App-V client
When you’re ready to look deeper into Sequencing and take the first step to virtualize your applications, you’ll want to reference the official App-V 4.6 Sequencer documentation and the Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 Sequencing Guide. The App-V community is friendly, and loves to share sequencing tips. When you’re looking for advice on sequencing specific applications, you’ll want to look to the App-V Sequencing Community on TechNet.
While you’re sequencing your applications, you’ll want to start thinking about how you’ll deploy them to users and computers in your organization. App-V provides flexible deployment options in the box with Management and Streaming servers, MSI delivery that allows any Electronic Software Delivery (ESD) system to deploy App-V applications without a dedicated App-V infrastructure, to full integration with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) R2 or higher.
One of the best ways to become familiar with all three stages of this process is to review the App-V 4.6 Trial Guide, there’s excellent documentation on Planning and Deployment, App-V Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide, The App-V Server Sizing Guide and the Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Guide (catchy title, huh?).
Once you’ve chosen a distribution model, you’re ready to deploy the App-V client. In the official App-V documentation, you’ll find guidance on how to deploy the App-V 4.6 client from its MSI or its EXE. If you’d like a deeper dive into advanced client options, we’ve a whitepaper just for you.
Let’s talk about the Operating System Virtualization layer
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)
Statistically, it’s likely that you are somewhere in the midst of Windows 7 planning right now. As you test your applications for compatibility with Windows 7, you’ll find that most just work, you’ll upgrade some, use tools like the Application Compatibility Toolkit (perhaps with help from application compatibility ninja Chris Jackson) for others, but some of your legacy applications may still remain incompatible with Windows 7. For these applications – the last mile of application compatibility – Microsoft offers MED-V to bridge the gap.
MED-V allows you to run your legacy applications, Including Internet Explorer 6 based applications, inside a Windows XP compatibility workspace. This IT-managed Windows XP virtual environment remains hidden from your users. Applications running inside appear on the Windows 7 Start menu and appear to users indistinguishable from native applications.
MED-V 2.0 is coming soon, in the first quarter of 2011, and is available to download and evaluate now from Microsoft Connect. To get started with MED-V:
I caught up with Tim Crab, MED-V Program Manager and he gave me a few tips on deploying MED-V 2.0.
Skand also talked to Microsoft Product Manager Max Hermann at the Tech·Ed VDI booth to discuss how to get started on VDI and Session Virtualization.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), like Remote Desktop Services session virtualization (formerly known as Terminal Services), is a centralized desktop deployment model that allows users to access desktops running in the datacenter over the network. Some of the benefits of a centralized desktop solution are increased flexibility to address roaming user needs, improved data security and regulatory compliance and centralized management of the desktop. The Microsoft VDI Suites are a platform offering from Microsoft that allow customers to deploy a low-complexity, end-to-end VDI and session virtualization environment including multiple options to deploy and manage the applications. Partners such as Citrix add value to the Microsoft VDI Suites by providing additional Enterprise functionality, such as management at scale, for VDI and Session Virtualization.
IT Pros who are looking to evaluate VDI in their enterprise should consider the following key steps when deploying a test pilot of Microsoft VDI Suites and Citrix XenDesktop:
I stopped by the Citrix booth on the show floor at Tech·Ed, where I spoke to Tony Sanchez. He showed me an amazing demonstration of the integration of Microsoft and Citrix technologies. XenDesktop, App-V, SCVMM, SCCM, Citrix Receiver and more. This is cutting-edge stuff!
Remote Desktop Services Session Virtualization
Session Virtualization in RDS, formerly known as Terminal Services, is a server role in Windows Server 2008 R2 that provides technologies that enable users to access Windows-based programs, or entire Windows desktops, that are installed on a Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server. Session virtualization provides similar business benefits as VDI, but in comparison with VDI, session virtualization allows for greater user density on the host and lower deployment costs.
When deploying session virtualization, an IT pro should consider the following key steps:
There are plenty of great resources available at microsoft.com to help you get started with RDS. Start at the Windows Server Remote Desktop Services page where you’ll find tools like the Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide. When you’re ready to deploy, you’ll find the Remote Desktop Services Deployment Guide an invaluable tool.
Many businesses are considering implementing some form of a centralized desktop solution in order to provide increased computing flexibility for their users while enjoying better security and manageability of their corporate desktops. Customers looking for a scalable and proven solution that requires limited server management should consider implementing a session virtualization solution. Customers that need native application compatibility with Windows 7 in the VM or need full personalization capabilities for their users should consider implementing a VDI solution
That’s a lot of ground to cover and a lot of ways that you can use Microsoft Desktop Virtualization technologies in your environment. Get started with USV and App-V. Use MED-V as a tool to help you overcome application compatibility barriers as needed. Apply VDI and RDS to allow your users to be productive across distance and devices. The choice is yours.
I’ve enjoyed writing for you this week from the show floor at Tech·Ed Berlin. Please visit the Desktop Virtualization page on TechNet to stay current with the latest technical information and announcements from the Microsoft DV Team.