Lab: Part 45 – Layered Image Deployment with Citrix App Layering

Step-by-step guide to learn everything about deploying layered images in Citrix App Layering.

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In the previous posts of this series, we learned how to install and configure a new Enterprise Layer Manager appliance. We also discussed how to create OS, Platform and App layers. In this post, we will review how to deploy Layered Images in App Layering.

Note: Layered Images are bootable images composed from an OS layer, a Platform layer, and any number of App layers. Layered images are published from an image template.

More from this Citrix App Layering series

• Introduction to Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 40 – Getting Started with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 41 – Configure Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 42 – OS Layer with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 43 – Platform Layer with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 44 – Application Layers with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 45 – Layered Image Deployment with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 46 – Elastic deployment with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 47 – User Layers with Citrix App Layering
• Lab: Part 48 – Windows 10 and PVS with Citrix App Layering
• Best Practices for Citrix App Layering

Requirements

For this lab, you need the following:

• ELM appliance up and running.
• OS Layer, Platform Layer and App Layers created and deployable. You can create an image template without App layers.
• PVS connector created and configured (Ex: PVS Connector).
• App Layering Agent installed on the target infrastructure.
• Enough free space in the target infrastructure.

Best Practices to Create and Publish a new Template with Citrix App Layering

Create and Publish a new Template with Citrix App Layering

An image template stores the list of layers to include in the layered images that you publish.

Create a new template

Go the the ELM console > Images and select Create Template.

In the Template Wizard, enter the name of the template and pick an icon.

Select the OS Layer to be integrated in this image.

Select the connector.

Note: In this example, we will publish the image directly to PVS. 

Select the Platform Layer.

Add Layered Image Disk settings.

Select Create Template and Publish.

Note: Create Template does not deploy the image to the target infrastructure. 

ELM will start to create the template.

First step is to duplicate the OS Layer revision in the repository.

Location: /mnt/repository/Unidesk/Layered Images/

Next step is to compose the layers.

Location: /mnt/repository/Unidesk/Layered Images/

Apply Application recipes.

Once the image is ready, ELM will copy it in the PVS store configured in the PVS connector.

Copy in the PVS store in progress.

Once the disk is copied in the Store, ELM will add the disk in the PVS configuration.

ELM will add a timestamp in the vDisk name (Ex: 2016_TEMPLATE_YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SS.vhd)

The disk was added in the PVS store but not published to any devices. This step is still a manual step.

ELM will also apply the pre-configuration defined in the PVS Connector such as Cache Type, Cache Size, Load Balancing, etc.

Take a look at the PVS store repository.

In ELM, you can have more information about the template. Right click on the template and select Properties.

See below the information displayed about the template.

Publish a new template

Go to ELM console > Images and right click on the template you want to update.

Right click on the template and select Publish Layered Image.

Validate the configuration and then select Publish Layered Image.

Reconfigure an existing template

Go to ELM console > Images and right click on the template you want to update. Then select Edit Template.

You can change all settings here.

Select a new OS Layer.

Add / Remove Application layers from the template.

Pick a different connector.

Select a different Platform layer.

Reconfigure Layered Image Disk.

Then click on Save Template Changes to validate. You can also Publish a new image from here.

Clone Template

Go to ELM console > Images and right click on the template. Select Clone Template.

ELM will immediately clone the template.

Delete Template

Go to ELM console > Images and right click on the template. Select Delete Template.

Select Delete Template to confirm the deletion.

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