VIRTUALBOY BLOG
Following on from yesterday’s post on App-V, I thought I’d take the chance to provide you with some quick overview videos on some of the other technologies that make up the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack, or for the acronym-fans, MDOP.
For those of you not familiar, MDOP is a suite of technologies available as a Software Assurance benefit for Windows Client, and it’s sole aim is to help optimise the desktop estate, through 6 key tools, one of which being App-V. So, what’s in there?
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) turns applications into centrally managed services that are never installed, never conflict, and are streamed on demand to end users.
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) provides deployment and management of virtual PC images to enable key enterprise scenarios, primarily resolving application compatibility with a new version of Windows.
Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) enhances governance and control over Group Policy through robust change management, versioning, and role-based administration.
Microsoft Asset Inventory Service (AIS) is a hosted service that collects software inventory data and translates it into actionable business intelligence.
Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) reduces downtime by accelerating troubleshooting, repair, and data recovery of unbootable Windows-based desktops.
Microsoft System Center Desktop Error Monitoring (DEM) provides insights into application and operating system failures, allowing helpdesk to be more proactive in managing PC problems, without installing an agent to the endpoint.
In terms of demos and tutorials:
Replaceable PC
This demo shows how the Windows Optimized Desktop can enable the easy and quick replacement of a lost or stolen PC by dynamically separating the users' applications and data files/settings from the PC itself.
MED-V Overview
Discover how Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) provides deployment and management of virtual Windows desktops to enable key enterprise scenarios.
Asset Inventory Service: Helping You Track Your Company’s Inventory
This demo will show how Asset Inventory Service can help reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and improve licensing compliance through advanced software inventory scanning and translating inventory data into actionable information.
App-V with AppLocker Windows Installer Rules
AppLocker is a new feature of Windows7 that allows administrators to define policies that can allow or deny a user’s ability to run or install executable, MSI, or script files. Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) separates the application from the operating system preventing application conflicts and enabling the ability to run multiple versions of an application of the same desktop. Virtual applications can be delivered in many ways – streaming by assigning applications to user, delivering to machines via Configuration Manager or by using file streaming from removable media. Using App-V and Applocker together ensures that no matter how the application is delivered or what format is takes, physical or virtual, it will respect the policies defined by IT. In this screen cast I’ll demonstrate how IT can create an AppLocker Windows Installer policy for virtual applications.
App-V with AppLocker Executable Rules
AppLocker is a new feature of Windows7 that allows administrators to define policies that can allow or deny a user's ability to run or install executable, MSI, or script files. Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) separates the application from the operating system preventing application conflicts and enabling the ability to run multiple versions of an application of the same desktop. Virtual applications can be delivered in many ways - streaming by assigning applications to user, delivering to machines via Configuration Manager or by using file streaming from removable media. Using App-V and Applocker together ensures that no matter how the application is delivered or what format is takes, physical or virtual, it will respect the policies defined by IT. In this screen cast I'll demonstrate how IT can create AppLocker Executable policies for virtual applications.
App-V Configuration Options
App-V strives to create a seamless user experience to ensure that the user is not confused by launching a physical or virtual application. In Win7 App-V is fully compatible with the Win7 Taskbar and Jumplists, recognizes and respects Applocker Rules, is secured when using BitLockerToGo, and integrates with BranchCache for faster application delivery. Today we are going to take a look at the user experience when launching an App-V virtual application on Windows 7 and show some of the client configuration options that are available to help IT more effectively manage the App-V client.
A Tour of Advanced Group Policy Management
This demo will show you how Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) can help your organization to keep enterprise-wide desktop configurations up to date, enabling greater control, and less downtime.
A Tour of Desktop Error Monitoring
This demo will show you how to gain insights into application and operating system failures that cause PCs to hang or crash with Desktop Error Monitor (DEM).
A Tour of the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset
This demo will show how the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset helps your make PCs safer and enables desktops that are much easier and less expensive to manage.
There are even more videos here, so if you get chance, take a look!