visionapp Application Center 2008 R2 SP1

visionapp Application Center 2008 R2 SP1 

Getting Started Guide 

Product Documentation 

www.visionapp.com 

www.visionapp.com

Contents 

1 About this Documentation ................................................................................... 1 

1.1 Required Knowledge ............................................................................... 1 

1.2 Formats and Symbols ............................................................................. 1 

2 Introduction......................................................................................................... 2 

3 Preparation for the installation ............................................................................ 2 

3.1 Overview .............................................................................................. 2 

3.2 Prepare required computers and roles ...................................................... 2 

4 vADM Application Installation .............................................................................. 3 

5 visionapp Application Center (vAC) Installation ................................................. 11 

6 Using the Start Wizard to import Applications ................................................... 17 

6.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 17 

7 Changing the three row layout to two rows ....................................................... 25 

7.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 25 

8 Adding and using the FileCenter ........................................................................ 28 

8.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 28 

9 Activating Access Rules ..................................................................................... 34 

9.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 34 

10 Integrating Citrix Access Gateway ..................................................................... 39 

10.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 39 

11 Using linked content .......................................................................................... 43 

11.1 Objectives........................................................................................... 43 

12 Disclaimer .......................................................................................................... 44 

www.visionapp.com I

1 About this Documentation 

1.1 Required Knowledge 

This manual is intended for use by someone with a deep knowledge of working with Microsoft 

Windows Terminal Services and Citrix XenApp Server farms. In addition, a basic knowledge of 

Microsoft Windows Server operating systems and software distribution solutions for operating 

systems and applications is helpful. 

Furthermore, the manual is aimed at people involved in installation, administration and 

troubleshooting of servers. visionapp AG assumes that you are qualified in server 

maintenance and have been trained to work with the installed software products. This 

documentation presupposes a certain knowledge of technical matters and technical terms. 

Understanding and using the information provided in this documentation will be easier having 

studied the documents listed below: 

> vADM Installation Guide 

> vADM online help 

Where a problem cannot be solved with the information provided, please visit our website for 

additional troubleshooting information. 

1.2 Formats and Symbols 

The following formats are used for the various instructions: 

Bold Menu names and entries, window names, input and list fields, messages 

and important statements are shown in bold. 

Monospace Program code, paths and file names are shown in monospace font. 

Links Underlined red text refers to a hyperlink. 

The following symbols are used: 

The first-aid box indicates solutions for particular issues, provides hints on 

special features, or reveals unusual solutions. 

The question/answer symbol indicates a note. It points out special points that 

need to be observed for proper functioning of the product. 

The warning symbol indicates particularly important sections in the 

document. It also reveals practical tips that might help you avoid data loss, 

product damage, or other inconveniencies. 

www.visionapp.com 1

2 Introduction 

This guide will help you install the visionapp Application Center, configure the software and 

perform basic tasks. 

3 Preparation for the installation 

3.1 Overview 

To prepare the installation, please follow these steps: 

> Make sure the required computers are available 

> Check detail prerequisites for the installation within the requirement guides on the product 

media. The requirement guide includes the operating system, the hardware, software, 

network and the configuration. 

> Check detail information for the installation of the visionapp Application Delivery 

Management Console (vADM console) within the vADM installation guide on the product 

media. 

3.2 Prepare required computers and roles 

To install the visionapp Application Center you need at least the following computers and 

roles: 

> Microsoft Active Directory 

> One Microsoft SQL server 

> One or more Citrix xenApp or Microsoft 2008 Server with Remote Desktop Service 

enabled. 

> One workstation or Server with the installed Application Delivery Management Console 

(vADM console) 

> One Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) with Microsoft Framework 3.5 or higher 

> Required for XenApp is a previously installed Citrix Web Interface 4.5, 4.6, 5.0 or 5.1.1 on 

the IIS Server. See the requirements for Web Interface in the Web Interface Admin Guide. 

Also one Web Interface site must be created but a configuration is not required. 

For more information about the system and installation requirements please refer the vAC 

Installation Guide chapter 2.3. 


4 vADM Application Installation 

The next step in this process is installing the vADM console and configuring the database. The 

following procedure details the installation and connection to the SQL Database. 

Task Detailed Steps 

1. Run the 

vADM 

setup; 

leave every 

option on 

its default. 

In the intended workstation mount the vADM product CD-iso (or insert 

the CD into your CD drive). A dialog appears; select to continue in your 

prefered language; if the dialog does not appear run Setup.exe. 

Select Server Management Installation|visionapp Application 

Delivery Management Console 

Choose your installation language 



The language selection during installation only refers to the dialogs during 

setup. The application itself is multilingual. 

Next 

Accept the License Agreement. 



Next 

Install. 



2. Setup and 

configure a 

new vADM 

database 

using the 

wizard. 

Finish after setup completed. 

Go to Start Menu|All Programs|visionapp Application Delievery 

Management Suite|visionapp Application Delivery Management 

Suite to start the console. 

Select OK to configure a new database connection. 



Select the radio button to Create a new database on an existing 

database server and either specify a vaild license file or use 

evaluation license. An evaluation license can be upgraded at any stage 

to a full license. 

Enter the name of the Database server. 

Enter the name of your vADM database. 



If you are logged into the console with the appropriate permissions, 

choose Integrated Windows Authentication. Otherwise, specify the User 

name and Password of a user with the appropriate permissions. 

Click Next. 

Name the vADM database environment. 

Enter the User name for the service account that will access the 

Database. 

Type in a Password of your choice 

Click Next. 



The progress window shows the database creation process. 

Click Finish after the database connection wizard successfully created the 

database. 



In the list of available environments select your database name and click 

Connect. 

Click Yes in the upcoming dialog and Cancel in the Log On dialog. 


5 visionapp Application Center (vAC) Installation 

The next step in this process is installing the vAC. The following procedure details the 

installation and initial configuration. 


1. Run the 

vADM 

setup; 

leave every 

option on 

its default. 

In the intended Server mount the vADM product CD-iso (or insert the CD 

into your CD drive). A dialog appears; select to continue in your prefered 

language; if the dialog does not appear run Setup.exe. 

Select Workspace Management Installation | visionapp Application 

Center on your web server 

Choose your installation language 



2. Select 

install 

mode 

This selection relates to the details during the installation. Leave the 

default selection for the first server. 

Next 

Accept the License Agreement. 



3. Setup and 

configure a 

new vAC 

database 

by using 

the wizard. 

Select the radio button to Create a new database on an existing 

database server. 

Enter the name of the Database server. 

Enter the Database name of your Application Center. 




Click Next. 



4. Access to 

the vADM 

database 

and choose 

vAC- 

Farmname 

Name the vAC-Farmname. 

Enter the logon information for the Database server and Database 

name of the previously installed vADM 2008 R2 console. 




Click Next. 



5. Access to 

Active 

Directory 

via LDAP 

Name one Domain Controller or it’s IP Address and name the Password 

und User name that has access permission to the Active Directory. 

Change the LDAP path to meet your Active Directory environment. 

Click Next. 

Click Install to finish the installation. 



6. Finish 

installation 

and start 

vADM 

console 

Click Finish after the installation wizard successfully created the database 

and the Application Center environment. 


6 Using the Start Wizard to import Applications 

6.1 Objectives 

After completing these steps, you will be able to access your visionapp Application Center and 

get access to Citrix XenApp or Microsoft RemoteApp. 


1. Start the 

Wizard 

Use the vADM icon in Start | Programs | 

visionapp Application Delivery Management 

Suite 2008 R2 to launch the vADM console 

In the Environment field your vADM database name should be shown, if 

not select it from the list. 

Click OK. 

Login to the visionapp Application Delivery Management (vADM) console 

and click on Workspace to change the vADM view to the Workspace 

Management. 



2. Select farm 

type to 

import 

From the visionapp Application Center Overview screen click on Start 

WIZARD to launch the Wizard who will guide you through a basic 

configuration. 

The Wizard will automatically detect the Application Center 

environment (vACFarm) created in the previous steps. 



Click Next 

Select the type of Application (XenApp, RemoteApp) that you want to 

import. 



3. XenApp 

Farm 

import. For 

RemoteApp 

go to task 

4. 

With XenApp make sure that you installed Web Interface and created a 

Web Interface site. You can change in the Web Interface location under 

vACFarm|Basic Settings|Configuration Values|Ctrix Terminalserver 

Click Next 

Skip this task if you wish to import Microsoft RemoteApp. 

The Wizard requires information about the xenApp Farm to import the 

published applications. 

The Farm Name does not need to be the xenApp Farm name, it’s the 

name that will be used in the vADM. 

Type the Farm Name to be used. Type in the Server data of one Server 

from the xenApp Farm. Supply at least the Server Name (hostname), IP 

Address and the XML Port. The FQDN (Full Qualified Domain Name) can 

be left empty. 

Click Next. 



4. RemoteApp 

Farm 

import 

To import Microsoft RemoteApp, the Application Center Server (IIS 

Server) needs to be added into the Windows 2008 local security group TS 

Web Access Computers. As Object Types select Computers and enter 

the name of the Application Center Server. 

The Wizard requires information about the Windows Server 2008 Farm to 

import the RemoteApp. 

The Farm Name does not need to be the Server 2008 Farm name, it’s the 

name that will be used in the vADM. 

Type the Farm Name to be used. Type in the Server data of one Server 

from the xenApp Farm. Supply at least the Server Name (hostname) and 

IP Address. The FQDN (Full Qualified Domain Name) can be left empty. 

Click Next. 



5. Automatic 

application 

import. 

The Wizard starts searching for available applications on the previously 

selected Farm. 

The Wizard shows the found applications and will import them 

automatically to the Application Center. 

Click Next. 



6. Personalize 

the 

Application 

Center 

The last step is to personalize the visionapp Application Center with your 

Company name. 

Click Finish 

After the Finish click, the local Internet browser will launch and open up 

the Application Center login page. 

Logon with Active Directory credentials and rights to farm applications. 



7. Customize 

a user first 

page. 

This is the default layout which can be easily changed as needed. 

Click on Customize and select applications or web links for the loged in 

users My First Page. 

When finished click Save to apply changes. 

Congratulations! Your visionapp Application Center is working. 


7 Changing the three row layout to two rows 


After completing these steps, you will be able to: 

Customise the layout and apply rights to a Dashboard. 


1. Navigate 

to 

Dashboard 

Configurati 

on 

Start the vADM console and log in. Switch to Workspace to view the 

Application Center. 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | User Interface Components | Page | 

Dashboard Configuration 

Press the function key F8 or use the lock icon to Edit Exclusively the 

Dashboard Configuration. 

Use the mouse to Drag-and-Drop the News web part from Zone right to 

Available Web Parts. 

Press F8 again to save and release the Dashboard Configuration. 



2. View the 

result 

3. Set access 

rights 

Re-login or re-load the Application Center web page to view the changes 

made in the vADM console. 

The Dashboard layout has changed from three to two rows. 


Dashboards 

Press F8 to edit the available Dashboards. 



Select the Support Dashboard and click in the Group field list to browse 

Active Directory. Choose the Group that will only allowed to get access to 

the Support Dashboard. 

Press F8 again to save and release the Dashboards and review the results 

in the Application Center. 

The Support Dashboard is missing for all users who no belong to the group 

selected for the Dashboard. 

Note: With enabled Access Rules (Enterprise Edition required) access to 

Dashboards, Web Parts etc. can also be set by Access Rule (IP Address, 

Language etc.) 


8 Adding and using the FileCenter 


The FileCenter Dashboard/Web Part requires the Enterprise Edition of the 

visionapp Application Center. 


Add the FileCenter Dashboard to Organizational Entities and configure additional FileCenter 

Web Part and add it to the FileCenter Dashboard. 


1. Add the 

FileCenter 

Dashboard 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | Organizational Entities | Default | 

Dashboards 

Press F8 to edit the Default entitie. 

From the Available dashboards, select the File Center and click on the 

right arrow so the FileCenter dashboard moves to the Assigned 

dashboards. 

Press F8 to save and release the Default entitie and review the result in 

the Application Center. 

The File Center is now added as a new Dashboard, assign a group to the 

dashboard if needed. 



2. Configure 

a new 

FileCenter 

Web Part 


Web Parts 

Press F8 to edit the available Web Parts. 

Select the File Center web part and click on to the Copy icon 

A copy of the File Center is created, selected and named File Center1. 



From the menu click the Configuration icon to bring up the File Center 

configuration. 

The File Center configuration has two tabs. The Common Configuration 

values are global values and apply to all existing File Center. 

Configuration values only for this webpart applies only for the current 

selected File Center. 

Switch to Configuration values only for this webpart and click on the 

New icon. Select the UncPath and click OK. 



As Value of the Parameter UncPath name a file share where users have 

access rights to. For instance the UNC Path to a sales network share. 

Click Save 

Rename the File Center1 (in each language nessesary, EN, DE) to 

something like “Sales share” or whatever. 

Press F8 to save and release the File Center web part. 



3. Add File 

Center 

Web Part 

to the 

Dashboard 





Open the Dashboard drop-down list and select File Center 

Drag-and-Drop the Sales share web part from the available Web Parts 

to the Zone left above the Home Drive. 

Press F8 to save and release Dashboard Configuration and review the 

results in the Application Center. 



4. Review the 

result 

The File Center Dashboard has now an additional Network Drive called 

Sales share and the folder structure displayed on the right. 

Note: The available file types (*.gif; *.exe; *.cmd etc.) can be black or 

white listed and much more. Groups and access Rules can be applied as 

well. 


9 Activating Access Rules 


Access Rules requires the Enterprise Edition of the visionapp Application 

Center. 


Activate the Application Center Access Rules, create and apply Access Rules or Rule Groups to 

different objects. 


1. Enable 

Access 

Rules 

The Application Center Access Rules are powerful and can be applied to a 

lot of objects. By default the Access Rules are disabled and needs to be 

enabled first. 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | Basic Settings 

Press F8 to edit the Basic Settings. 

At the very top of the list find the Parameter EnableAccessRules, click 

into the Value check box to activate the Access Rules. 

Press F5 to save or F8 to save and release the Basic Settings. 



2. Create 

Rules and 

Group 

Rules 

Many objects have now become an extra Value field to apply Access Rules. 

Objects can be Dashboards, Farms, Web Parts, Template Extensions etc. 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | Access Rules 

Press F8 to edit the Access Rules. 

Right click on Access Rules an chosse New | Rule 

The next window shows all the options for the created rule. Rename the 

Rule to “My 1st Rule”. 

To create a Rule that checks for the User selected Language, select User 

Profile and as Element pick Culture. Click on the New icon and enter 

en-US as Value. Optional you can add a description. 

As Definitions select Allow. 



This Rule is true when the User Profile Language is set to English (en-US) 

and will then Allow access to the object the Rule is applied to. 

Create another Rule by right click on Access Rules an chosse New | Rule 

Rename it to “My 2nd Rule” 

This Rule should check if clients are coming from the internal network, 

LAN ( example 10.1.2*). 

Select Server Variable and pick REMOTE_ADDR and set the 

Definitions to Allow. Click on New to create a new Value and as value 

data use 10.1.2* 

This Rule is true when the client has a local IP Address in the range of 

10.1.2.1 to 10.1.2.255 and will then Allow access to the object the Rule is 

applied to. 

Create a Rule Group by right click on Access Rules an chosse New | Rule 

Group Rename it to “My Rule Group”. 

The Rule Group will combine the previously created Rules with an AND 

operrator. 

This means the Rule Group only becomes true if both Rules apply eg. the 

client has an IP Address from the defined range and has the Language set 

to English in the Application Center. 



Select My 1st Rule and click Add rule, then click on AND. Select My 

2nd Rule and click Add rule. 

You can check the new Rule Group by clicking on the Validate button. 

Press F5 to save or F8 to save and release the Access Rules 



3. Apply 

Access 

Rules to 

objects 

Access Rules can be applied to many objects, so the following is just an 

example of many. 

To apply an Access Rule simply navigate to the object it should be applied 

to. 


Web Parts 

Select the Web Part Calendar and in the Access rules row pick “My 

Access Rule” 

Note: Single Rules are applied the same way. 

Press F5 to save or F8 to save and release the Web Part. 

With “My Access Rule” applied the calendar web part will only be shown in 

the Application Center if the user has set English as Language and has a 

client IP Address within the defined range. 


10 Integrating Citrix Access Gateway 



Use the Citrix Access Gateway as logon point for the visionapp Application Center and display 

the Secure Access Client web part in the Application Center. 


1. Set the 

Access 

Gateway 

portal 

In the Citrix Access Gateway Administration Tool set the Gateway 

Portal as follows. 

Path: /vAC/citrix/login.aspx 

Web server: vAC Server name (hostname) 

The visionapp login.aspx will get the user credentials from the Access 

Gateway and use them for a single sign on experience. 



2. Set the 

Gateway 

propertied 

There are two ways to configure of the Access Gateway (AG) option. 

1. The default way is to use Web Interface to configure AG options. 

Review the Web Interface Admin Guide on how to set those options. 

2. With the Enterprise Edition of the Application Center follow the 

configuration below: 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | Basic Settings 

Press F8 to edit the Basic Settings and find the Parameter 

ReadFromWIConfig, click into the Value check box to deactivate the 

configuration read from Web Interface. 

Navigate to vACFarm Name | Gateways and Press F8 to edit the 

Gateways 

Right click the Gateway and use New | Citrix Gateway Server 

Click on the New icon and fill out the required information 

Press F5 to save or F8 to save and release the Gateways. 

Next the Application Farm needs to know that it should use the Gateway. 



Navigate to vACFarm Name | Application Farms | CitrixFarm 

Open the drop-down box and pick the previously created Citrix Gateway. 

Press F5 to save or F8 to save and release the Application Farms. 

From now on ICA connections are tunneled through the Gateway when 

launched from the Application Center. 



3. Display 

the Secure 

Access 

Client web 

part 





Drag-and-Drop the Citrix Secure Access Client web part from the 

available Web Parts to the Zone right. 

Press F8 to save and release Dashboard Configuration and review the 

results in the Application Center. 


11 Using linked content 



Create linked content to launch an Application associated with a document, web site etc. 


1. Check 

command 

line for 

application 

s 

2. Create 

linked 

content 

To use linked content application needs to be published with a command 

line option. 

With Citrix use “%*” and with XenApp 4.5 and higher use “%%*” 

Microsoft RemoteApp should have “%*” and command-line 

arguments must be allowed. 

To create a linked content navigateto vACFarm Name | Application 

Farms | CitrixFarm/MicrosoftFarm | Linked Content 

Click on the New icon 

From Published Application use the drop-down box and pick the required 

application for the linked content. 

Supply a Name for the linked content and use the Command line to point 

to the document etc. 

Press F8 to save and release the Application Farm. 


12 Disclaimer 

Disclosure and Warranty 

The information, concepts, and ideas contained in this document are the property of 

visionapp AG. No part of this document may be disclosed or reproduced in any form without 

written permission of visionapp AG. Any violation thereof will be pursued. 

All brand names and product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective 

holders and are recognized as such. 

Any product descriptions or representations in this document are for identification purposes 

only and are not to be construed as a warranty of specific properties or guarantee or warranty 

of any other type. visionapp shall assume no liability, either explicit or implied, for the 

documentation. 

All rights reserved ©visionapp AG, June 2009 

About visionapp 

visionapp specializes in the design, implementation and operation of server-based 

infrastructure and portal solutions based on Microsoft and Citrix technologies. The company 

provides unique products and services for optimization and cost-effective administration of 

Windows Terminal Server infrastructures. visionapp Application Delivery Management Suite 

including visionapp Server Management and visionapp Workspace Management as well as 

consulting and ASP services form the core business. 

The visionapp products and solutions will be provided through a worldwide certified partner 

network. Only in Germany visionapp delivers products and solutions directly to large 

enterprises. The SME market is also being supplied through certified partners. 

Technical Support 

visionapp Application Delivery Management Suite (vADM) is developed by visionapp AG. 

Technical support is provided through the visionapp website and by e-mail. 

The visionapp website www.visionapp.com offers varied information and downloads: 

> Information on new products 

> Product updates and fixes 

> Whitepapers and presentations 

The latest product versions and the supporting documentation is available under 

www.visionapp.com/download-center. 

For technical support via email, please contact: 

support@visionapp.com 


Please include the following information in your request so that we can provide quick and 

efficient support: 

> Your visionapp Application Delivery Management Suite version. 

> Your visionapp Server Management and visionapp Workspace Management edition. 

> Version, name and language of the client operating system of your vADM Console. 

> Version, name and language of the database server of your vADM Console. 

> Version, service pack and language of the Microsoft SQL server of your vADM database. 

> A detailed description of the issue, including messages. 

> Logs from the Event Logs of the servers affected. 

> Any relevant screenshots that may be useful for further assistance. 

Using visionapp Server Management: 

> Detailed information on the target platforms of the servers to be managed and installed. 

> A ZIP file with a complete copy of the visionapp folder on the target platform. This folder 

is located under %ProgramFiles%. If this directory is too large to be sent, we need the 

following files or folders as minimum information: 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\visionapp.ini 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\visionapp.xml 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\ICS\ICS.ini 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\ICS\Install.log 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\ICS\Log 

> %ProgramFiles%\visionapp\Log\visionapp.log 

> If the visionapp directory does not exist yet, also send the vTT.log file located in the root 

directory (c:\). 

Using visionapp Workspace Management: 

> Name, version and language of the webs servers used. 

> Name, version and language of the database of your vAC database used. 

> Version, service pack and language of the Microsoft SQL server of your vAC database. 

> Name, version and language of the application servers used. 

> Name and version of the Internet browser. 

> The export files of visionapp.config, web.config and configuration data (everything from 

vADM Console under Export basic settings). 

Further Information 

visionapp AG 

Head Office Frankfurt am Main 

Helfmann-Park 2 

65760 Eschborn 

Germany 

web: www.visionapp.com

visionapp Application Center 2008 R2 SP1

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