50016 - Microsoft Softgrid Application Virtualization

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Plan, install, and administer the Microsoft SoftGrid application virtualization platform
• Understand new features and benefits of SoftGrid
• Describe the elements of VAS and technology benefits of deploying a VAS environment.
• Complete a full installation of the SCVAS and Back-end Management components
• Install and configure the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Client
• Create new objects from within the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console
• Use a variety of advanced administration tools in the SoftGrid platform
• Installation and configure the SoftGrid Sequencer
• Install a hard coded application into a virtual environment and create a virtual environment for a web-based application
• Troubleshoot and fix common issues within the SoftGrid platform

Module 1: Introduction to SoftGrid
This module provides an overview of the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform and introduces the vision application virtualization. It focuses on the key issues surrounding Application Management, and available solutions. It also outlines features in the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform.

Lessons
• Describe Problems Enterprises Encounter When Dealing with Application Management
• Describe the Benefits of SoftGrid Computing in a Technical Nature
• Define SoftGrid Computing
• List and Explain Various SoftGrid System Components
• Understand the SoftGrid Environment
• Understand New Features and Benefits of SoftGrid

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Describe problems enterprises encounter when dealing with application management
• Describe the benefits of Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization computing in a technical nature.
• Define Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization computing
• List and explain various Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization system components
• Understand the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization environment
• Understand new features and benefits of Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization

Module 2: Architecture
This module focuses on the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization System's architecture. In addition, it identifies each component and how they interact and communicate.

Lessons
• Elements of SoftGrid
• SoftGrid Architecture
• Communication and Integration

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Describe the elements of VAS and technology benefits of deploying a VAS environment
• Explain the purpose and requirements of each component within the SoftGrid Platform
• Understand how each of the components communicate and integrate with each other

Module 3: Server Planning and Installation
This module identifies various deployment and planning options Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization administrators will need to understand for successful Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform implementation. The module ends with installing a Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server.

Lessons
• Suggested Minimum System Requirements
• AD Integration
• Load Balancing & Firewalls
• Security
• Deployment Scenarios
• Server Installation

Lab : Installing the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Server as MSDE
• Objective based lab

Lab : Making the Content Directory Available for streaming
• Objective based lab
• Challenge Exercise: Verify installation

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Describe all minimum requirements needed to install the SCVAS and Management components
• Explain how the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform integrates with Active Directory
• List the supported Load Balancers, and understand how the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform integrates with various firewall solutions
• Explain the security options available to the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform
• Detail important considerations that must be made when planning for various deployment scenarios
• Complete a full installation of the SCVAS and Back-end Management components

Module 4: Client Planning and Installation
This module describes the requirements for installing and configuring the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Clients. It also covers important planning considerations.

Lessons
• List The Clients And How They Run.
• Install The Various Clients.
• Describe The Various Options For Deploying The Clients And Recommended Settings.
• Configure The Clients Using The Client Management Console.
• Determine The Best Practices For Administering And Installing The SoftGrid Clients.

Lab : Installing the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Client
• Install the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Client
• Test Client Install

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• List the clients and how they run
• Install the various clients
• Describe the various options for deploying the clients and recommended settings
• Configure the clients using the Client Management Console
• Determine the best practices for administering and installing the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Clients

Module 5: Administration
This module explains how to use the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console for the common tasks encountered by Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization administrators. These tasks include installing and configuring applications, user permissions, provider policies and server groups, and monitoring the environment.

Lessons
• Accessing the SoftGrid Management Console
• SoftGrid Management Console Layout
• Application Management
• Administering the SoftGrid System

Lab : Publishing Applications
• Publishing the Acrobat Reader
• Log onto Client to use Acrobat

Lab : Using Application Groups and Active Upgrade Functionality
• Create Winrar Application Group
• Publish the original version of Winrar
• Test the Published WinRar
• Add a new version to the WinRar package
• Test New Version of WinRar on Client

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Understand how to connect to any machine running the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Web Service to configure the platform
• Create new objects from within the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console, using the supplied Wizards
• Explain each of the containers, objects, and properties within the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console

Module 6: Advanced Administration
This module focuses on advanced administration and third-party tools that may be required for a full enterprise deployment of the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform.

Lessons
• Application Licenses
• Server Groups
• Provider Policies
• Account Authorities
• SoftGrid Administrators
• Reports

Lab : Working with Provider Policies
• Create a named License Group
• Assign License Group to Application
• Creating a new Provider Policy
• Modify the Acrobat OSD to use the new Provider Policy
• Test it

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Create licenses and license groups in the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console
• Create Server Groups and manipulate Server Group properties
• Create Custom Provider Policies
• View and change the Account Authority Domain that was selected during install and update the credentials that Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization uses to read information in Active Directory
• Add or change Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Administrators
• Generate reports from the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Management Console

Module 7: Introduction to the Sequencer
This module introduces the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Sequencer, an essential part of application deployment.

Lessons
• What is the Sequencer?
• Who Should Sequence?
• SystemGuard Overview
• Suites
• The Sequencing Process
• Sequencer Files

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Understand why the Sequencer is needed
• Explain the virtual environment, including the Virtual Registry and Virtual File System
• Understand the significance of SFT, SPRJ, OSD and ICO files

Module 8: Sequencer Planning & Installation
This module describes the requirements and procedures for installing the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Sequencer.

Lessons
• Recommended Sequencer Configuration
• Planning the Sequencer Environment
• Example Configuration
• Sequencer Installation

Lab : Installing the Sequencer
• Installing the Sequencer
• Adding an Exclusion

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Understand the recommended configuration for running the Sequencer
• Explain the use of separate partitions for storing images
• Install the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Sequencer

Module 9: Sequencing
This module explains how to use the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Sequencer to package applications to be streamed to Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Clients. This involves installing and running the target application under a controlled environment.

Lessons
• Use The Walkthrough Wizard To Create A Sequence
• Modify OSD Files Manually
• Upgrade An Existing Package, Using Package Upgrade
• Explain Each Tab Found In The SFT Editor
• Manually Add Files To The VFS, Using The VFS Editor

Lab : Installing the Sequencer
• Scenario 1
• Scenario 2
• Scenario 3

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Use the Walkthrough Wizard to create a sequence
• Modify OSD files manually
• Upgrade an existing package, using Package Upgrade
• Explain each tab found in the SFT editor
• Manually add files to the VFS, using the VFS editor

Module 10: Advanced Sequencing
This module will go above the standard sequences and introduce the student to more complex sequencing scenarios with hands on practicum.

Lessons
• Install A Hard Coded Application Into A Virtual Environment
• Create A Virtual Environment For A Web-Based Application
• Open A Previously Sequenced Application And Apply A Service Pack
• Customise An OSD File With Script Commands
• Create A Recipe Using The Recipe Template Provided By Softricity

Lab : Installing the Sequencer
• Sequence an application that installs to C:\
• Sequence a web based application
• Sequence an application that uses a service

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Install a hard coded application into a virtual environment
• Create a virtual environment for a Web-based application
• Open a previously sequenced application and apply a service pack
• Customise an OSD file with script commands
• Create a recipe using the recipe template provided by Microsoft

Module 11: Troubleshooting
This module identifies tools and methods for troubleshooting Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform components. It also describes known issues and possible resolutions.

Lessons
• Registry Keys
• Logging
• Common Issues
• Sequencer Troubleshooting Tips
• Support Information

Lab : Using Client Tools to Troubleshoot
• Use Client logging tool to change log level
• Reset the Log File

Lab : Challenge Lab
• Use FileMon to repair a Sequenced Package that does not Launch on a client
• Use RegMon to repair a Sequenced Package that prompts each user to associate WinZip shell extensions

After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Configure important Registry keys for tweaking the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform
• List the logs available to aid in troubleshooting
• Troubleshoot and fix common issues within the Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Platform
• List the support options available from Microsoft Technical Support

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Basic Knowledge of Database Connectivity
• Basic Knowledge of Windows Operating Systems
• Basic Network Administrative Skills, Including the Ability to:
• Create/delete users from a Microsoft Active Directory domain
• Install / troubleshoot applications
• Configure operating system options and settings