How to Use App-V Integration Kit to Publish App-V Applications on XenApp

How to Use App-V Integration Kit to Publish App-V Applications on XenApp

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Article ID: CTX126423

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Description

This article describes how to set up XenApp to launch App-V v4.x, set up the App-V Integration Kit conduit streamed to client, applications, and tips and example scenarios that may be helpful to the users.

Requirements

To use App-V applications you must have the following on XenApp:

  • Microsoft App-V v4.x Environment (Microsoft Application Virtualization Resource Kit Tools)

  • An application sequence for App-V. This is the desired application the user created to be used for App-V. This folder also includes a *.osd file containing the sequence information. The application sequence is very similar to the Citrix streaming profile concept, where XenApp uses *.profile file. Even though they are similar, the way they are handled is completely different.

  • Citrix App-V Integration Kit - DOWNLOAD


Instructions

Complete the following steps to set up XenApp to launch App-V:

  1. Copy the App-V integration kit folder to the shared location of your profiles.
    The App-V integration kit follows the same rules as any other streaming profile package.

  2. Install Adobe Reader on the server, like any other published application on the XenApp server.

  3. Name the application resembling the app-v application you wish to stream with App-V. This example uses Adobe Reader.

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  4. Select the options shown in the following screen shot. This causes the application to have a fallback method if the App-V client is not installed on the client machine that will access the published application.

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  5. Browse for the App-V integration kit.

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  6. In the Extra command line parameters field, enter the App-V command to launch the adobe reader sequence for App-V.

    \\appv\content\Adobe Reader\Adobe Reader 9.0 12.0.6425.0000.osd

    Note: This is not a XenApp command, but this is an App-V command you can run with the App-V client installed to run App-V sequences. It can be used by itself on the user computer to make sure App-V is working correctly with the desired application.

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  7. Browse to the location of the application installed on the server. Remember this is a fallback in case the App-V client is not installed on the client machine.

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  8. Add list of servers where application will be located for the published application.

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  9. Assign list of users to the applications.

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  10. Set up Icon, shortcuts, and menus as desired. It is recommended to customize the icon to match the application the App-V conduit will execute.
    A very easy way to locate the icon of the desired application is to browse where the .osd file is located. You should see an icon folder with all the available icons for that application. Make the changes and save your profile.

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Conclusion

After following this setup, the application should be viewed from the Web interface or Program Neighborhood Agent. There are certain important points users must be aware of:

  • When the user launches the application, the off-line plugin on the server calls the App-V client using the following command:

    C:\\Program Files\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client\sfttray.exe" “\\appv\content\Adobe Reader\Adobe Reader 9.0 12.0.6425.0000.osd”

    This command calls the App-V client and launches the application sequence (*.osd file). XenApp does not stream App-V application; it only helps on the launch. The streaming is still being done from the App-V system. XenApp helps give more flexibility of how App-V applications can be handled.
  • Because App-V is called, not streamed, certain XenApp features like Offline or Content Redirection cannot be used. In this case, the user needs to work with the App-V server settings.

  • If streaming to server is desired, then same settings apply, but on the server machine. Still, the conduit calls the App-V client installed on the user machine. Microsoft App-V does not stream to server.

  • If errors appear when trying to launch applications, use the App-V command described above to test and confirm if the problem is App-V. The command can easily find the location where the problem is occurring.
     

Issue/Introduction

This article contains information on how to set up XenApp to launch App-V, set up the App-V Integration Kit conduit streamed to client, applications, and tips and example scenarios that may be helpful to the users.

Additional Information

CTX126082 – How to Sequence an App-V Virtual Application and Stream XenApp Server to be Published Seamlessly to Users.