Win385Advanced Desktop Testing Scenarios With Virtual PC 2004

Win385Advanced Desktop Testing Scenarios With Virtual PC 2004

Robert LarsonRobert LarsonSubject Area ManagerSubject Area ManagerMicrosoft CorporationMicrosoft Corporation

AgendaAgenda

Key features for testingKey features for testing

Things to watch out forThings to watch out for

Desktop Testing ScenariosDesktop Testing Scenarios

DemoDemo

TermsTermsTermTerm DescriptionDescription

Virtual MachineVirtual Machine The virtual hardware environment provided by Virtual PC 2004The virtual hardware environment provided by Virtual PC 2004

Host OSHost OS The operating system that is installed on the physical computerThe operating system that is installed on the physical computer

Physical Physical ComputerComputer

The actual hardware that is being used and where Virtual PC The actual hardware that is being used and where Virtual PC 2004 is installed2004 is installed

Guest OSGuest OS The Operating software that is installed on the virtual machineThe Operating software that is installed on the virtual machine

Virtual networkVirtual network A network created in softwareA network created in software

Virtual Machine Virtual Machine AdditionsAdditions

Software loaded on the guest operating system that provided Software loaded on the guest operating system that provided increased functionality and performance enhancementsincreased functionality and performance enhancements

Virtual CDROMVirtual CDROM A CDROM implemented in software that can share the physical A CDROM implemented in software that can share the physical computer CDROM or access ISO imagescomputer CDROM or access ISO images

VHDVHD Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) is the file on the physical computer that a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) is the file on the physical computer that a virtual machine uses as a hard disk and perform all the reads and virtual machine uses as a hard disk and perform all the reads and writeswrites

VMCVMC Virtual Machine Configuration (VMC) file is where all the settings Virtual Machine Configuration (VMC) file is where all the settings for a virtual machine are storedfor a virtual machine are stored

Shared FoldersShared Folders The ability to use a folder on the host as a mapped drive letter in The ability to use a folder on the host as a mapped drive letter in the virtual machinethe virtual machine

Drag and DropDrag and Drop The ability to drag files or folders between the virtual machine The ability to drag files or folders between the virtual machine and the hostand the host

Key Features For TestingKey Features For Testing

Virtual disk types Virtual disk types

Undo disksUndo disks

Virtual machine statesVirtual machine states

NetworkingNetworking

Command line interfaceCommand line interface

Virtual DisksVirtual Disks

Types of virtual disksTypes of virtual disksDynamically expanding virtual diskDynamically expanding virtual diskFixed virtual diskFixed virtual diskDifferencingDifferencingUse a host partitionUse a host partitionUse a host volumeUse a host volume

Default is dynamic – 16GBDefault is dynamic – 16GB35KB when created on disk, expands as 35KB when created on disk, expands as you write data to ityou write data to it

Use Virtual Disk Wizard to pre-create Use Virtual Disk Wizard to pre-create other disk typesother disk types

Differencing DisksDifferencing Disks

Allows for the creation of a base read-only Allows for the creation of a base read-only guest image (parent) that can be shared with guest image (parent) that can be shared with unlimited other virtual machines (children)unlimited other virtual machines (children)

All children store their disk changes in a All children store their disk changes in a separate fileseparate file

Can be chained togetherCan be chained together

Once parent is used it cannot be modified Once parent is used it cannot be modified without invalidating all childrenwithout invalidating all children

Parent can be placed on DVD or Parent can be placed on DVD or network sharenetwork share

Undo DisksUndo Disks

Allows all changes from power-on to Allows all changes from power-on to be saved, committed or discardedbe saved, committed or discarded

Reboots are not affectedReboots are not affected

Enabled per virtual machine, applies to Enabled per virtual machine, applies to all disksall disks

Writes are made to a separate undo file Writes are made to a separate undo file per diskper disk

Virtual Machine StatesVirtual Machine States

Running statesRunning statesPausePause

Save StateSave State

Turn off Turn off

Shutdown the Guest OSShutdown the Guest OS

Undo disks add these statesUndo disks add these statesSave State and save changesSave State and save changes

Save State and commit changesSave State and commit changes

Turn off and Save changesTurn off and Save changes

Turn off and discard changesTurn off and discard changes

State options are configurable in the guest settingsState options are configurable in the guest settingsWhat options are presentedWhat options are presented

Selecting a forced automatic optionSelecting a forced automatic option

NetworkingNetworking

Up to 4 NICs per virtual machineUp to 4 NICs per virtual machine

ModesModesNot ConnectedNot Connected

Local Only (virtual machines only)Local Only (virtual machines only)

External NICExternal NIC

Shared NATShared NAT

Use a MS Loopback adapter to get internal Use a MS Loopback adapter to get internal only traffic between host and virtual machineonly traffic between host and virtual machine

Virtual networking is like a hub with a Virtual networking is like a hub with a switched uplink portswitched uplink port

Command Line OptionsCommand Line Options

Allows modification of some settings during Allows modification of some settings during virtual machine launchvirtual machine launch

Allows the modification of parameters when Allows the modification of parameters when guest is runningguest is running

Great ability to Great ability to Create shortcuts on the desktopCreate shortcuts on the desktop

Script the registration of VMC filesScript the registration of VMC files

To start a virtual machine without opening To start a virtual machine without opening Virtual PC Console: Virtual PC Console:

"Virtual PC.exe" –pc Contoso –singlepc –launch"Virtual PC.exe" –pc Contoso –singlepc –launch

To start a virtual machine and specify the To start a virtual machine and specify the asset tag: asset tag:

"Virtual PC.exe" –pc Contoso –launch -setassettag "Virtual PC.exe" –pc Contoso –launch -setassettag asset_tagasset_tag

Things To Watch Out ForThings To Watch Out For

BootingBooting

InstallingInstalling

UsingUsing

SecuritySecurity

Power-onPower-on

Cannot attach a virtual CD or floppy Cannot attach a virtual CD or floppy until the guest is powered onuntil the guest is powered on

Pause after power-on, attach, then resumePause after power-on, attach, then resume

Cannot edit a running virtual machine Cannot edit a running virtual machine configuration to change hardwareconfiguration to change hardware

AdditionsAdditions

Virtual Machine Additions provide high levels of Virtual Machine Additions provide high levels of integration between the guest and host operating integration between the guest and host operating systems; Integration features include:systems; Integration features include:

Integrated mouseIntegrated mouse

Time synchronizationTime synchronization

Cut and PasteCut and Paste

Drag and dropDrag and drop

Folder SharingFolder Sharing

Arbitrary screen resolutionsArbitrary screen resolutions

Full integration support is only available for Windows Full integration support is only available for Windows guest operating systemsguest operating systems

Install from Action->Install Virtual PC AdditionsInstall from Action->Install Virtual PC AdditionsAuto-mounts an ISO CDROM image and launches the installAuto-mounts an ISO CDROM image and launches the install

SecuritySecurity

Networking SecurityNetworking SecurityVirtual machine has a completely different Virtual machine has a completely different network stack and identify from the hostnetwork stack and identify from the hostICF on the host does NOT protect a ICF on the host does NOT protect a virtual machine configured for virtual machine configured for external networkingexternal networking

PatchingPatchingYou must patch all virtual You must patch all virtual machines individuallymachines individuallyUsing Shared NAT or enabling ICF on the Using Shared NAT or enabling ICF on the guest operating system is a good way to guest operating system is a good way to protect the virtual machine until patchedprotect the virtual machine until patched

Remote AccessRemote Access

Not a concern for local testingNot a concern for local testingRemoting a virtual machineRemoting a virtual machine

Until virtual machine additions are Until virtual machine additions are installed, mouse can keyboard installed, mouse can keyboard is challengingis challengingCan remote desktop to the host and use Can remote desktop to the host and use VPC without issuesVPC without issuesCan remote to the virtual machines if they Can remote to the virtual machines if they support remote controlsupport remote control

Remote Desktop Remote Desktop Remote Assistance Remote Assistance NetMeetingNetMeeting3rd party3rd party

Desktop Testing ScenariosDesktop Testing Scenarios

Desktop Testing ScenariosDesktop Testing ScenariosPatch ManagementPatch Management

Application Development and TestApplication Development and Test

Setup and MSI RepackagingSetup and MSI Repackaging

OS DeploymentOS Deployment

SupportSupport

Patch ManagementPatch Management

Maintain standard desktop OS configurations Maintain standard desktop OS configurations without the hardware investmentwithout the hardware investment

Test clients for Windows Update ServicesTest clients for Windows Update ServicesEasy to build/cloneEasy to build/clone

Reduce project costsReduce project costs

Reduce project timeline Reduce project timeline

Perform quick what-if scenariosPerform quick what-if scenariosUndo DisksUndo Disks

No reimagingNo reimaging

Perform chained patch scenariosPerform chained patch scenariosDifferencing drivesDifferencing drives

Easy to discard or integrateEasy to discard or integrate

Application Development And TestingApplication Development And Testing

Run Visual Studio entirely in a virtual machineRun Visual Studio entirely in a virtual machineEasy to maintain standard configuration of Visual StudioEasy to maintain standard configuration of Visual StudioRun in Local Only network modeRun in Local Only network modeIsolates the dev environmentIsolates the dev environment

Test the next version of Visual StudioTest the next version of Visual StudioNo need to dedicate a machineNo need to dedicate a machineEasy deployment (have someone else build the test machine, Easy deployment (have someone else build the test machine, sysprep, clone it, and copy to the developers machines)sysprep, clone it, and copy to the developers machines)

Run your test clientsRun your test clientsTest setup routinesTest setup routinesTest multiple builds off the same configurationTest multiple builds off the same configurationTest web applications against different versions of a Test web applications against different versions of a web browserweb browserEasily test multiple authentication optionsEasily test multiple authentication optionsTest network bandwidth usageTest network bandwidth usage

MSI Setup And RepackagingMSI Setup And Repackaging

SetupSetupTest your Visual Studio setup routinesTest your Visual Studio setup routines

RepackagingRepackagingToughest problem = rebuilding base Toughest problem = rebuilding base packaging boxpackaging box

Undo disks make it fast and painlessUndo disks make it fast and painlessEnable Undo disksEnable Undo disks

Power on virtual machinePower on virtual machine

Perform repackaging proceduresPerform repackaging procedures

Copy off package filesCopy off package files

Turn off and discard changesTurn off and discard changes

Power on virtual machine and start next packagePower on virtual machine and start next package

OS DeploymentOS Deployment

Planning a deployment of Windows XPPlanning a deployment of Windows XPTest your deployment methodTest your deployment method

UnattendedUnattended

ImagingImaging

Remote Installation Services (RIS)Remote Installation Services (RIS)

Test bandwidth usageTest bandwidth usage

Planning to deploy LonghornPlanning to deploy LonghornTest the new deployment featuresTest the new deployment features

Application DeploymentApplication Deployment

SMS 2003 package deploymentSMS 2003 package deploymentMethodologyMethodology

Distribution testingDistribution testing

Compatibility testingCompatibility testingOSOS

Coexistence with other applicationsCoexistence with other applications

Network bandwidthNetwork bandwidthUnderstand the network impactsUnderstand the network impacts

ProceduresProceduresStep-by-stepStep-by-step

ScriptedScripted

SupportSupport

Microsoft Windows desktop testing libraryMicrosoft Windows desktop testing librarySingle install that can be shared (within Single install that can be shared (within licensing constraints)licensing constraints)

Easy to build a new base virtual machineEasy to build a new base virtual machine

ProcessProcessBuild a set of base OS configurationsBuild a set of base OS configurations

Place them on a server with fast disk and network accessPlace them on a server with fast disk and network accessRecommend a dedicated network interfaceRecommend a dedicated network interface

Build differencing drives on your local machine using the Build differencing drives on your local machine using the library as read-only parentslibrary as read-only parents

Place them in a folder with each machine as a subfolderPlace them in a folder with each machine as a subfolder

Enable NTFS compressionEnable NTFS compression

Add them to the VPC consoleAdd them to the VPC consoleLocal Only networking or sysprep to prevent collisionsLocal Only networking or sysprep to prevent collisions

Optionally enable undo disksOptionally enable undo disks

Features In UseFeatures In Use

Attend a free chat or web castAttend a free chat or web casthttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/chats/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/chats/default.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/usa/webcasts/default.asphttp://www.microsoft.com/usa/webcasts/default.asp

List of newsgroupsList of newsgroupshttp://communities2.microsoft.com/http://communities2.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspxcommunities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx

MS Community SitesMS Community Siteshttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/default.mspx

Locate Local User GroupsLocate Local User Groupshttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/usergroups/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/usergroups/default.mspx

Community sitesCommunity siteshttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/related/http://www.microsoft.com/communities/related/default.mspxdefault.mspx

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© 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.