App-V 5.0 : Creating a standalone connection group

Just created a standalone connection group between FireFox, Firebug Add-on and Flash Plugin in a App-V Client machine.

The consolidated steps are as follows.

Step1: For creating a connection group, we would require a new GroupId and Version ID. PowerShell has commands to generate new GUIDs.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> [GUID]::newGUID()

Guid

----

634a961b-1111-46a2-b55e-c566c5b97e5d

PS C:\Users\Administrator> [GUID]::newGUID()

Guid

----

43d5e1b8-2186-4768-9244-7c7e2334e9ee

These GUIDs are used in the myconnectiongroup.xml file at Step3.


Step2: We need to know the Package ID and Version ID of the individual packages for which we are going to create the connection group. Again Powershell...

PS C:\Users\Administrator> set-executionpolicy unrestricted

PS C:\Users\Administrator> import-module appvclient

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-AppvClientPackage

The above command will list each App-V packages installed in the client machine, including PackageID and VersionID (used in myconnectiongroup.xml file at Step3). Hence, all the 3 packages mentioned above are needs to be installed in the App-V client machine before executing the Get-AppvClientPackage command.


Step3: Created myconnectiongroup.xml file as below using the each package details (PackageId, VersionId)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<appv:AppConnectionGroup
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appv/2010/virtualapplicationconnectiongroup"
xmlns:appv="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appv/2010/virtualapplicationconnectiongroup"
AppConnectionGroupId="634a961b-1111-46a2-b55e-c566c5b97e5d"
VersionId="43d5e1b8-2186-4768-9244-7c7e2334e9ee"
Priority="0"
DisplayName="My Connection Group">
<appv:Packages>
<appv:Package
PackageId="e1395e0f-053b-4938-835d-378c5d3d9ee2"
VersionId="bd047c3d-2222-4e46-aba6-734452190e53"
/>
<appv:Package
PackageId="8af0a0cd-8bff-4fea-8bd1-c2825d60fd5d"
VersionId="4ec80509-1234-4c94-835a-f6eaed77771e"
/>
<appv:Package
PackageId="41236dd2-9002-4bbb-a7b5-e7415fbb1b54"
VersionId="1982d093-7896-44a6-aef5-5840c1e2932b"
/>
</appv:Packages>
</appv:AppConnectionGroup>


Step4: Add the connection group in the client machine by executing the below PowerShell command using myconnectiongroup.xml file.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Add-AppvClientConnectionGroup –path "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\myconnectiongroup.xml"


Step5: Before enabling the connection group, we need to publish the individual packages in the App-V client machine. PowerShell commands below.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Add-AppvClientPackage –path "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\MozillaFirefox29.0.001_Package\Mo
zillaFirefox29.0.001_Package.appv" | Publish-AppvClientPackage

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Add-AppvClientPackage –path "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\AdobeFlashPlayerPlugin14.0.0.000.
001_Package\AdobeFlashPlayerPlugin14.0.0.000.001_Package.appv" | Publish-AppvClientPackage

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Add-AppvClientPackage –path "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\Firebug1.0.1.001_Package\Firebug1
.0.1.001_Package.appv" | Publish-AppvClientPackag

Step6: Enable the connection group by executing the below PowerShell command and by using the connection group display name which was mentioned in the myconnectiongroup.xml file at Step3. In this case, it is "My Connection Group".

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Enable-AppvClientConnectionGroup –name “My Connection Group"

That's it.

Launch the Virtualization Client and check the created connection group in the tab. Launch the FireFox shortcut and check the Add-on along with Flash Plugin.

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