ConfigMgr 2012 Beta 2 with App-V integration

In ConfigMgr 2007 with R2 it was possible to import App-V packages and stream them to the end user. There was also the possibility to choose between streaming or local delivery for that. Have a look at this blog for more information about ConfigMgr 2007 with App-V integration: http://henkhoogendoorn.blogspot.com/2010/12/configmgr-2007-with-app-v-integration.html

Because of multiple reasons there was the choice between App-V integration in ConfigMgr 2007 or using the stand-alone App-V solution. I have selected a few websites with more information about that:

• App-V 4.6 and ConfigMgr 2007 SP2: even better together
• How to integrate App-V with SCCM without losing the features you care about
• Integration App-V and SCCM
• SCCM / App-V hybrid architecture
• App-V - Introduction, Components and SCCM Integration
• SCCM and App-V Integration Whitepaper

Personally I think that the combination of ConfigMgr 2007 and App-V is quite good, only it's better to keep them seperate. This because it's a bit slower in ConfigMgr and there's no publishing functionality in it. That way you must decide where to put the shortcuts in the App-V package, during sequencing. Also all shortcuts will be displayed on the desktop or in the start menu after publishing; no changes on that possible.

The advantage of putting App-V packages in ConfigMgr 2007, and using a Distribution Point (DP) for streaming is integration. No need for having App-V Management and/or Streaming servers that way. Just configure the (existing) ConfigMgr server and deploy all your applications from one platform! The only App-V installation needed is the Sequencer for creating App-V packages. Instead of multiple App-V servers, more Distribution Points are recommended then.

Now have a look at the combination of ConfigMgr 2012 Beta 2 and App-V. In ConfigMgr 2012 things are quite different. Open the ConfigMgr console, Select Application Management, rightclick on that and choose Create Application. There are four (4) choices now, with Microsoft Application Virtualization in here also. Just import a already sequenced application here.

When looking in the Applications screen there are no orange App-V icons anymore. On every application there are tabs for Deployment Types and Deployment (first known as advertisement). On deployment types there are new Content settings seen:

• Persist content in the client cache
• Enable peer-to-peer content distribution
• Load content into AppV cache before launch

Default settings for fast or slow/unreliable network boundary:

• Fast > Download content (changed to Stream content in my environment)
• Slow/unreliable > Do not download (changed to Download content in my environment)

On the Publishing tab, which is also new in ConfigMgr 2012, shortcuts can be selected. Keep in mind that the location (desktop and/or start menu) cannot be set, so still this must be decided during sequencing. The shortcuts that will be displayed on the desktop or in the start menu can be selected now!

For streaming App-V packages from Distribution Points no further configuration is needed in ConfigMgr 2012. Distribution Points have streaming functionality by default now. For App-V integration on the desktops an App-V 4.6 SP1 client is needed. No further configuration is needed on that also. Sometimes the Cache will be placed on another drive, and the Cache size will be enlarged. The file type extensions will be automatically associated to the new applications.

New applications available from ConfigMgr 2012

File type extensions are automatically associated

That's all you need to have for App-V integration in ConfigMgr 2012. Because off better user support in ConfigMgr 2012, App-V integration will be a more interesting choice now!