Planning for Optimal Management Server Performance and Scalability

Ben FersenheimApp-V Sustained EngineeringMicrosoft

VIR302

Introduction

An overview of what’s to come

Session Overview

Tech Review• Review the components of the App-V Management

Server infrastructure

Key Considerations• Discuss the specific factors that affect server

operations

Deployment Guidance• Present sample figures and specific guidance to

inform deployment decisions

App-V Management Server InfrastructureA survey of the components of the App-V Management Server

App-V Management Server InfrastructureIn this section we will answer the following

What is the App-V Management Server and what value does it provide?What are the primary components of the App-V Management Server?What are the fundamental operations performed by the App-V Management Server?

App-V Management Server InfrastructureValue proposition

Applications are isolated

Isolation allows the application to behave consistently regardless of the changes in the OS or other

applications in the system

Lowers application testing costs for enterprises

Applications are delivered on demand (SaaS)

Brings the benefits of SaaS to rich Windows applications

Applications can be streamed from a variety of locations: locally, IIS server, App-V Server, Config

Mgr Server, or other ESDs and devices

Centralized management and servicing

Service in one central location, stream to all users

User based application targeting

Simplified management and deployment of applications to an enterprise

And now, a word from our audience

What are the major components that the comprise the App-V management infrastructure?

interactive

App-V Management Server InfrastructureMajor components

In-box components

• Management Server

• Management Web Service

• Management Console

External dependencies

• SQL Server DB• IIS• PKI• Content directory• Active Directory• Network load

balancer

App-V Management Server InfrastructureArchitectural diagram

App-V Management Server InfrastructureManagement Server

Point of service for App-V clientsWindows serviceBalances load across cooperating procesesScale out across multiple Management Servers

App-V Management Server InfrastructureManagement Web Service

Point of service for the Management ConsoleImplemented as an ASP.NET web serviceCan be deployed independently of the Management Server

App-V Management Server InfrastructureManagement Console

Administrative portalMMC 3.0 snap-inConsumer of the Management Web ServiceCan be deployed independently

App-V Management Server InfrastructureApp-V SQL Database

Hosts application, package, entitlement, and reporting dataServes content for Management Server and Management Web Service

App-V Management Server InfrastructureActive Directory

Provides user and group data for entitlementsRead-only

App-V Management Server InfrastructureExternal dependencies

Network load balancersSoftware-based NLBHardware load balancers

Content directoryHosts icons, OSD files, and SFT files for client accessLocated on a share on or off the Management Server

App-V Management Server InfrastructureOperations

The App-V Management Server performs four fundamental operations

PublishingStreamingMeteringManagement

Management Server Operations

Examining the fundamental operations in more detail

Management Server OperationsIn this section we will

Identify the factors that affect performance and scalabilityExamine the fundamental operations performed by the Management Server in more detail

Management Server OperationsPerformance vs. scalability

Performance

Measurable behaviorFocused on end-user tasksCumulative effects

Scalability

Change of measurable behaviorSustained rates vs. burstsThroughput vs. bandwidth

Management Server OperationsWhat affects scalability?

Architectural

• Inter-component dependencies

• Fixed configuration

Environmental

• CPU• Memory• Storage• Network• Mutable

configuration

Workload

• Mixture of operations

• Package profile

• User distribution

Management Server OperationsIntroducing the model

• What does this operation do?

Purpose

• Under what circumstances is the operation performed?• User-driven? Periodic?

Frequency

• How is performance measured?

Performance

Management Server OperationsIntroducing the model (cont.)

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Management Server OperationsIntroducing the model (cont.)

A list of the key factors that affect the scalability of the management server infrastructure when performing the operation under study

Management Server OperationsPublishing refresh

• Provides end-users access to the virtualized applications to which they are entitled

Purpose

• At user login (default)• Every X minutes/hours/days (configurable)

Frequency

• Time to visible availability of new applications

Performance

Management Server OperationsPublishing refresh (cont.)

Query Active Directory to

determine the list of groups based

on the user token

Query the SQL DB to collect the entire list of applications

registered with the system

Return filtered list based on the applications

entitled to the user

Client requests OSD and ICO files

from content directory

Management Server OperationsPublishing refresh (cont.)

Overall CPU load on the Management ServerVolume of concurrent requestsPackage profile

SQL Server capacityEntitlement queriesApplication catalog retrieval

Content directory latency

Management Server OperationsPackage load

• Delivers virtual application content to App-V clients

Purpose

• Before first application launch (FB1)• During application usage (OOS)• During idle CPU cycles (Auto-load)

Frequency

• Time to launch (FB1)• Responsiveness of virtual applications (OOS)• Impact of loading on other network operations (Auto-load)

Performance

Management Server OperationsPackage load (cont.)

Query AD to authenticate the

user

Query AD to verify that the user is authorized to

access the resource

Load the requested package content

and deliver it to the client

Management Server OperationsPackage load (cont.)

FB1-optimized packagesNetwork load balancingAuto-load settings

Management Server OperationsApplication launch

• Ensures user is authorized to launch an application

Purpose

• Before each virtual application launch

Frequency

• Time to launch application

Performance

Management Server OperationsApplication launch (cont.)

Acquire token representing the

user’s credentials

Query AD to authenticate the

user

Query AD to verify that the user is authorized to

access the resource

Management Server OperationsApplication launch (cont.)

Disconnected operation modesVolume of concurrent requestsNetwork load balancing

Management Server OperationsMetering data upload

• Accepts usage data from App-V clients

Purpose

• Dependent on publishing refresh (occurs at the same time)

Frequency

• Degree of impact on publishing/streaming

Performance

Management Server OperationsMetering data upload (cont.)

(Optional) Record the client as a new reporting

source

Update state of the client cache

in the DB

Update application usage information in the

DB

Management Server OperationsMetering data upload (cont.)

Volume of data collectedPublishing refresh intervalApplication launch frequency

Volume of publishing refreshesSQL Server capacity

CPUAPPLICATION_USAGE table

Management Server OperationsManagement

• View and edit application, package, entitlement, and reporting data

Purpose

• Defined by business need

Frequency

• Responsiveness of the Management Console

Performance

Management Server OperationsManagement (cont.)

Query Management Web

Service for the data relevant to

the current display/task

Management Web Service consults DB for requested data and returns to the console

Invoke Management Web Service to make the requested

changes

Management Web Service modifies DB accordingly

Management Server OperationsManagement (cont.)

Package profileComplexity of operation

Package with 100+ OSDsApplication with 100+ entitlements

SQL Server capacityConcurrent non-management activity

Guidance

Best practices and recommendations to guide deployment planning

GuidanceIn this section

Sample deployment figuresImportant configuration parametersAdditional deployment optionsHelpful toolsResources

GuidanceSample deployment figures

Machine specsWindows Server 20082x Dual core 3GHz4GB RAM1 GigE network

Single Management ServerDedicated SQL Server

GuidanceSample deployment figures

Operation CPU loadMemory usage

Net bandwidth

Max. per minute

Publishing refresh (x100)

1.2% 0.05 MB 0.5 Mbps 8,000

Package load

0.18% 0.1 MB 1.0 Mbps N/A

Application launch (x100)

4.3% 0.1 MB 0.3 Mbps 1,800

Table 1 – Impact of sample operations on App-V Management Server

GuidanceSample deployment figures

Object Frequency Max size

PackageOne per version

1K

Application One per OSD 2K

ShortcutOne per OSD

shortcut2K

File type ext.One per OSD

FTA1K

Table 2 – Impact of sample operations on App-V data store growth

Object Frequency Max size

Each App-V client

One per distinct client

0.5K

Client cache info

One per cached pkg

0.5K

Metering upload

One per app launch

1K

GuidanceUnderstanding your model

Distribution of user load on the systemWhen do publishing refreshes happen?What triggers streaming activity?How many launches per day?

Package and application profileHow many total packages?Average/max applications per packageAverage/max FTAs per package

GuidanceUnderstanding your model (cont.)

Administrative tasksHow frequently are packages deployed?How frequently do entitlements change?Can tasks be scheduled off-hours?

GuidanceImportant client configuration points

Configuration Impact For more information

Default refresh policyControls when App-V clients perform publishing refresh

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc817137.aspx

Disconnected / offline modeControls whether App-V client will

launch loaded apps without a server connection

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843704.aspx

Auto load target / triggersControls which packages the

client with auto-load, and when

http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2009/07/28/

understanding-the-autoload-feature-of-microsoft-app-v-4-

5.aspx

ASR/ISR/OSRControls where client will obtain

SFT/OSD/ICO datahttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/cc843817.aspx

RequireAuthorizationIfCachedControls whether auth is required

for fully cached app launchhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/dd464849.aspx

GuidanceImportant server configuration points

Configuration Impact For more information

Max DB sizeSets a high watermark for purging

old usage datahttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843727.aspx

Enable/disable usage reportingDetermines whether client usage

information is kepthttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843811.aspx

Enable/disable authenticationDetermines whether Windows auth is used to control access

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843646.aspx

Enable/disable licensingDetermines whether application

licensing is enabledhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc843792.aspx

GuidanceImportant server configuration points (cont.)

Configuration Impact For more information

DCCacheTimeoutControls how often server refreshes application data

See App-V 4.5 Server Sizing Guide

LoadConsoleIconsControls whether the MMC will load icons for packages in the

Management Console

http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2009/04/30/resolving-a-couple-common-softgrid-app-v-management-console-issues.aspx

GuidanceAdditional deployment options

Streaming ServerFile streamingHTTP streamingHTTP reportingSCCM

GuidanceHelpful tools

ADInsight – monitor client-side Active Directory activitySQL Profiler – collect and analyze trafficPerfmon – track OS resource usageNetwork Monitor – analyze network trafficVSTT – author and conduct performance tests

GuidanceResources

Application Virtualization Whitepapers - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/cc843994.aspx

Includes links to the Server Sizing Guide

Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides – http://microsoft.com/ipd

Includes IPD guides for Virtualization and System Center

App-V on TechNet - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/default.aspx

GuidanceResources

HTTP publishing and streaming guide – http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2010/12/02/guide-to-configuring-microsoft-app-v-to-both-publish-and-stream-via-http.aspxHTTP reporting guide – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee956912.aspx

Conclusion

Conclusion

The Management Server infrastructure performs a small number of fundamental operationsFocus on understanding the scalability factors that affect these operationsUse this understanding to make informed deployment decisions

Postscript

ColophonPracticing what I preach

Presentation authored usingA virtualized deployment of PowerPoint 2010App-V client 4.6 SP1 (with hotfix package 1, KB2532192)App-V management server 4.5 SP2 (with hotfix package 2, KB2507096)

Publishing and streaming from management server

Related Content

VIR305 – How to Create App-V Packages More Efficiently with the New App-V 4.6 SP1 SequencerVIR318 – How to Set Up App-V and Get the Most Out of Your RDS and VDI Deployments

OSP379-HOL – Virtualizing Microsoft Office 2010 with Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 SP1VIR380-HOL – Leveraging Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 with Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop ServicesVIR381-HOL – Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 SP1 Sequencer

Track Resources

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