During (part 1) we did walkthrough the APP-V requirements and the installation of our server , in this part we will play with APP-V Sequencer,Client,sequence a sample application and see some troubleshooting steps.

Deploying the App-V 5.0 Sequencer

The Sequencer is a tool that is used to convert standard applications into virtual packages for deployment to computers that run the App-V 5.0 client. The Sequencer helps provide a simple and predictable conversion process with minimal changes to prior sequencing workflows. In addition, the Sequencer allows users to more easily configure applications to enable connections of virtualized applications.

Specific change to the sequencer

The following table displays information about what has changed with the App-V 5.0 sequencer

Sequencer Feature	App-V 5.0 Sequencer Functionality
Reboot processing	When an application prompts for a restart, you should allow the application to restart the computer running the sequencer. The computer running the sequencer will restart and the sequencer will resume in monitoring mode.
Specifying the virtual application directory	Virtual Application Directory is a mandatory parameter. For best results, it should match the installation directory of the application installer. This results in more optimal performance and application compatibility.
Editing shortcuts/FTAs	The Shortcuts/FTA page is on the Advanced editing page after the sequencing wizard has completed.
Change History Tab	The Change History tab has been removed for App-V 5.0.
OSD Tab	The OSD tab has been removed for App-V 5.0.
Virtual Services Tab	The virtual services tab has been removed for App-V 5.0.
Files/Virtual File System Tab	These tabs are combined and allow you to modify package files.
Deployment Tab	There are no longer options to configure the server URL in the packages. You should configure this now using deployment configuration, or the management server.
Package Converter Tool	You can now use PowerShell to convert packages created in previous versions.
Add-on/Middleware	You can expand parent packages when you are sequencing an Add-On or Middleware application. Add-ons and Middleware packages must be connected using connection groups in App-V 5.0.
Files output	The following files are created with App-V 5.0, Windows Installer (.msi), .appv, deployment configuration, user configuration, and the Report.XML.
Compression/Security descriptors/MSI packages	Compression and the creation of a Windows Installer (.msi) file are automatic for all packages and you can no longer override security descriptors.
Tools / Options	The Diagnostics window has been removed as well as several other settings.
Installation Drive	An installation drive is no longer required when you install an application.
OOS Streaming	If no stream optimization is performed, packages are stream faulted when they are requested by computers running the App-V 5.0 client until they can launch.
Q:\	App-V 5.0 uses the native file system and no longer requires a Q:\.

Sequencing error detection

The App-V 5.0 sequencer can detect common sequencing issues during sequencing. The Installation Report page at the end of the sequencing wizard displays diagnostic messages categorized into Errors , Warnings , and Info depending on the severity of the issue.

To display more detailed information about an event, double-click the item you want to review in the report. The sequencing issues, as well as suggestions about how to resolve the issues are displayed. Information from the system preparation report and the installation report are summarized when you have finished creating a package. The following list displays the types of issues available in the report:

Excluded files.

Driver information.

COM+ system differences.

Side-by-side (SxS) conflicts.

Shell Extensions.

Information about unsupported services.

DCOM.

Prerequisites for the App-V 5.0 Sequencer

The following prerequisites are already installed for computers that run Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.

Prerequisite	Details
Software requirements	Microsoft Windows .NET Framework 4 (Full Package) (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718) Windows PowerShell 3.0 (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34595) Download and install KB2533623 (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26746)

Installing the Sequencer

The computer that will run the sequencer must not be running any version of the App-V 5.0 client.

Upgrading a previous installation of the App-V sequencer is not supported.

The following list displays information about options for installing the sequencer using the command line and appv_sequencer_setup.exe:

Command	Description
/INSTALLDIR	Specifies the installation directory.
/CEIPOPTIN	Enables participation in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program.
/Log	Specifies where the installation log will be saved, the default location is %Temp%. For example, C:\ Logs \ log.log.
/q	Specifies a quiet or silent installation.
/Uninstall	Specifies the removal of the sequencer.
/? Or /h or /help	Displays associated help.

Continue reading →

Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) enables enterprises to meet the needs of users and IT by empowering anywhere productivity and accelerated application deployment. App-V provides anywhere user access to applications that available on any authorized device without application installs. Virtual applications and user settings are preserved whether users are online or offline. App-V increases business agility through faster application deployment and updates with no user interruptions. It minimizes conflicts between applications, allowing enterprises to reduce application compatibility testing time. App-V together with Microsoft User State Virtualization (USV) provides users with a consistent experience and reliable access to applications and business data, no matter their location and connection to the Internet.