SoftGrid Advanced Sequencing

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SoftGrid Advanced Sequencing

• Michael Burke

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What is Sequencing?

• True virtualization of
• File system
• Registry
• INI
• Environment variables
• COM objects
• True isolation of applications
• Reorganization into a streaming format
• Done without modification of source code

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Suite-ing Applications

• Two or more applications that share the same
  virtual environment
• Application dependencies
• Java, ActiveX, etc.
• API calls
• Required because of the nature of Softricity
  isolation
• Available external application access
• File associations
• Local application access
• Basic copy and paste (text and graphics)

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The Concept of The Bubble
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Suite A
Suite B
SystemGuard
SystemGuard
?
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X
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Sequencing Phases

• Planning/Preparation
• Sequence Process
• User Acceptance Testing
• Remediation
• Deployment
• Support/Update
• Retire

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To Sequence or Not to Sequence

• Sequencing may not be applicable in all
  scenarios, such as
• Drivers/run-time dependencies
• Application dependencies
• Supportability
• Functionality/performance

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Environment Planning

• Standardize on a virtual drive letter (Q)
• Asset Directory Naming Convention
• 8.3 ONLY! (ex. AcroRd80.V1), no spaces
• Do not reuse
• Suite Naming Convention
• Vendor_Application_AppVer_SeqVer (ex.
  Adobe_AcrobatReader_8.0_v1)
• No spaces
• Avoid reuse
• Process methodology
• SoftGrid Application Request Form
• Process for requests
• Sequence lifecycle tracking process
• Track package details (apps, dependencies, asset
  directory, max block size, etc.)
• Track progress on application sequences
• File share, Spreadsheet, database, MS SharePoint
  site, etc.

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The Sequencer Machine

• Operating Systems
• W2K Pro/Server
• WXP Pro
• W2K3 Server
• Resources
• Single (Fast) CPU
• 1GB RAM
• FAST disk subsystem
• Adequate free space
• Min. Two Partitions
• C (System)
• Q (Sequence)
• Ghost images (opt.)

• Basic Build
• Plain vanilla install
• Mirror platform in prod use
• No pre-installed software unless part of standard
  build
• Recommended Dont pre-install sequencer
  application
• Use Multiple Sequencers
• Multi-task
• Leverage Virtualization (Snapshot/revert VMs)
• Ghost Physical Machines
• Disable machine account password changes

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Sequencer Setup

• Basic OS build
• No security software (Cisco CSA, firewalls, etc.)
• No antivirus (preferred)
• Partitions
• Partition 1 - C System OS and Sequencer
  10-20GB
• Partition 2 - Q Drive 10GB
• Partition 3 - Ghost images (omit if VM) 10GB
• Create a dummy printer
• Create dummy System and File DSNs
• Set Explorer Launch folder windows in a separate
  process
• Add Sequencer Exclusion Items
• C\Documents and Settings\ltusernamegt\ntuser.dat
• C\Documents and Settings\ltusernamegt\Application
  Data\VMware\hgfs.dat (VMware Workstation only)

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Preparing to Sequence

• Know your applications!
• Requirements and dependencies
• Configuration
• Use-case scenarios
• Gather resources
• Media, network locations, license keys no
  activating keys
• Key people / documentation
• SoftGrid application request form
• Identify target operating system(s)
• Sequence on least common denominator OS
• Are multiple sequences required?
• Determine sequence options
• VFS or Mount-point install
• Block size and compression
• FB1 and FB2 delineation

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Preparing to Sequence

• Perform a test installation prior to sequencing
• Become familiar with install options,
  requirements, and use
• Install any dependent applications prior to
  sequencing
• Applications assumed part of base build
• Create asset directory on Q prior to sequencing
• Map necessary drives
• Source files and application-specific
• Pre-extract files to temporary directory
• Document the Sequence
• The process (recipe)
• Sequence options (Sequencer version, max block
  size, who did it, etc.)
• Errors, resolutions, changes
• Dependent applications (for patching/upgrading)

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Sequencing Process

• Installation media
• Installation Phase
• Shortcut Wizard
• Save Package
• Test, test, test!
• Production release
• Patch/update

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The Results

• .SFT
• The sequenced application(s)
• Record of files, directories, registry, etc.
• .OSD
• XML-based file containing information about the
  app and how to launch it
• .ICO
• Icon file, created in conjunction with the OSD
• .SPRJ
• The Sequencer Project file
• Contains sequence information
• Record of associated SFT, OSD and ICO file names

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Package Configuration

• Suite Name
• vendor_appname_appversion_seqver
• Ex Adobe_AcrobatReader_8.0_v1
• Comments
• Sequencer version, OS, Person, Asset directory
  name, suited applications, etc.
• Hostname
• SFT_SOFTGRIDSERVER, FQDN or IP
• Path
• ltsuitenamegt or ltdepartmentgt\ltsuitenamegt
• Establishes the directory structure of content
  share
• Operating Systems
• Remove all unless package is for specific platform

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Sequencing the Application

• Compression and Block Size
• Install to
• Q\ltassetdirgt\ltapp_namegt\
• Program Files ltassetdirgt
• Use MSI logging if possible
• Create a .bat file with /lv option
• No install on first use
• Pre-configure apps while monitoring
• Disable automatic updating
• Accept EULA
• Pre-configure application defaults
• Clear IE cache and cookies

• Stop monitoring
• When finished with all apps in suite
• To process necessary interim reboots
• Always include MSI

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Shortcut Wizard

• Clean up shortcuts
• Remove unneeded shortcuts
• Clean up version numbers
• No spaces in OSD file names
• Modify shortcut locations
• Limit number of file type associations

• Launch applications
• Designating FB1 and FB2
• Use Launch All or CTRLclick
• Top 10 features
• Some do not terminate automatically
• Finish
• Sequences blocks

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Finishing Up

• Check for drivers
• File system tab
• Save the Package
• Directory suite name
• SPRJ file suite name
• Include MSI log of install
• Move Package Off Sequencer
• VAS content share
• Network location

• Clean Up Sequencer
• Revert or re-image
• Complete Documentation
• Recipe
• Change control
• Document package size, launch size and max block
  size
• Notify Appropriate Personnel for Testing

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User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

• Encourage the documentation of Use Cases
• Test on Production OS Deployment
• Include security software, AV, etc.
• Group Policy in effect
• Test on all intended OS recipients
• Check Event Logs for Errors
• Get Qualified Personnel Involved
• Document Issues
• Update change control
• Document resolutions
• Document required OSD scripting
• Obtain Sign-off of Success

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Upgrading a Package

• Open for upgrade
• Perform changes/additions
• File -gt Save (Active Upgrade)
• SFT file incremented
• File -gt Save As (package branch)
• New asset directory name
• New suite name
• New GUID is generated automatically
• Be sure to modify package configuration first

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Editing OSD Files

• Disable Word Wrap in Notepad
• Use an XML-aware editor
• Ex. EditPlus
• Clean Up Readability
• Align CODEBASE items
• Remove/Add OS tags
• Scripting and Custom Registry Modifications

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Advanced Sequencing

• Leveraging local applications in a sequence
• As Primary Application (iexplore.exe)
• Custom OSD calling local binary
• FILENAMEPROGRAMFILES\Internet
  Explorer\iexplore.exe
• As Supporting Applications (Office, Lotus Notes
  Client, Acrobat Reader)
• Supporting apps installed on Sequencer machine
  prior to sequencing

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Passing Parameters

• Modify OSD ltCODEBASEgt Tag
• FILENAMEPROGRAMFILES\Internet
  Explorer\iexplore.exe PARAMETERShttp//www.brif
  orum.com
• FILENAMEOff2k3.V1\MSOffice2003\Office11\
  msacess.exe PARAMETERSH\Databases\briforum2007
  .mdb

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OSD Scripting

• Script Timing and Events
• PRE STREAM
• POST STREAM
• PRE LAUNCH
• POST LAUNCH
• POST SHUTDOWN
• Protect
• ProtectTRUE (script runs inside virtual
  environment)
• ProtectFALSE (script runs outside virtual
  environment)
• Timeout
• Timeoutxx (wait xx seconds for script to
  complete before reporting error)
• Timeout0 (wait indefinitely for script to
  complete)
• Wait
• WaitTRUE (wait for script to complete before
  continuing)
• WaitFALSE (do not wait for script to complete
  before continuing)

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OSD Script Event Timing
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OSD Scripting Options

• ltSCRIPTBODYgt
• Can call non-executable commands (md)
• Creates a temporary script on the client, which
  executes and is then deleted
• Uses escape ( \ ) character
• DOS window appears

• ltHREFgt
• Used to call direct executables (xcopy)
• No non-executables permitted
• Command is executed directly on the client
• No DOS window appears

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SCRIPTBODY Examples
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HREF Examples
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Registry and Environment Variable Scripting
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Dealing with Drivers

• Check sequencer file list for /drivers directory
• Determine if drivers are necessary
• Extract drivers and install separately
• SMS package
• Script through OSD

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Troubleshooting Packages

• No icons
• Active Directory group membership
• Access to Content share
• Shortcut locations
• Package wont launch
• Check SoftGrid Client log for errors
• SFT_SOFTGRIDSERVER variable
• Check Event Viewer
• Max block size
• Clear client cache
• User settings keep resetting
• Identify settings file in the package
• Mark as user data

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Getting Inside the Bubble

• Create a debug OSD
• Append Debug to SOFTPKG NAME tag
• FILENAMEWINDIR\System32\cmd.exe
• SUBSYSTEM VALUEconsole
• Explorer.exe /separate
• Filemon and Regmon
• Registry modifications outside the bubble first
  (see Microsoft KB 931819)

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Dealing with Side-by-Side

• Check Event Viewer
• Locate the issue
• Dependent binary (.exe)
• Dependent directory
• WinSxS library dependencies
• OSD scripting workaround
• Pre-launch dependent binary
• Copy WinSxS entry to local system

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Identifying Errors

• Client Logging
• C\Program Files\Softricity\SoftGrid for Windows
  Desktops\sftlog.txt
• Logging level
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Softricity\SoftGrid
  Client\CurrentVersion\Configuration\LogMinSeverity
  n
• 4 is default, 5 increases log detail
• Restart client service
• May be useful information in the log
• Ex. The system cannot find the file specified.
• Research error codes on MS KB
• Search on the last error code block
• Error code 40023B-0060926C-80070002

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Sequencer Log Files

• sft-seq-log.txt
• Main log for the sequencer
• sftrbt.txt
• Records actions during reboot processing
• SFTCallBack.txt
• Log of SystemGuard-watched processes
• filter.log
• File-activity log recorded by SystemGuard
• Use dumplog.exe to decode
• files.txt
• Log of all files in the VFS
• Not enabled by default
• HKLM\Software\Softricity\SoftGrid
  Sequencer\CurrentVersion\ FileManifest1

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When All Else Fails

• Install application on plain Windows install
• See it work
• Identify where application fails
• Try a VFS installation
• Not recommended for large packages (gt 800MB)
• Try streaming to a clean system
• Basic Windows install with SoftGrid client
• No security software, AV, GPO

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Questions?
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• Thank You!
• Michael Burke
• mburke_at_datadr.net