How to Deploy the App-V Server (new installation)

  • Article

Applies to: Windows Server 2016

Before you start

Important

If you're already using App-V 5.x, you don't need to re-deploy the App-V server components as they haven't changed since App-V 5.0 was released.

  • Ensure that you’ve installed required software. See App-V prerequisites.
  • Review the server section of App-V security considerations.
  • Specify a port where each component will be hosted.
  • Add firewall rules to allow incoming requests to access the specified ports.
  • If you use SQL scripts instead of the Windows Installer to set up the Management database or Reporting database, you must run the required SQL scripts before installing the Management Server or Reporting Server. See How to deploy the App-V databases by using SQL scripts.

Installing the App-V server

  1. Download the App-V server components. All five App-V server components are included in the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2015 ISO package, which can be downloaded from either of the following locations:

  2. Copy the App-V server installation files to the computer on which you want to install it.

  3. Start the App-V server installation by right-clicking and running appv_server_setup.exe as an administrator, and then click Install.

  4. Review and accept the license terms, and choose whether to enable Microsoft updates.

  5. On the Feature Selection page, select all components listed in the following table.

    Component Description
    Management server Provides overall management functionality for the App-V infrastructure.
    Management database Facilitates database predeployments for App-V management.
    Publishing server Provides hosting and streaming functionality for virtual applications.
    Reporting server Provides App-V reporting services.
    Reporting database Facilitates database predeployments for App-V reporting.

  6. On the Installation Location page, accept the default location where the selected components will be installed, or change the location by typing a new path on the Installation Location line.

  7. On the initial Create New Management Database page, configure the Microsoft SQL Server instance and Management Server database by selecting the appropriate option below.

    Method What you need to do
    You are using a custom Microsoft SQL Server instance. Select Use the custom instance, then specify the instance name.
    Use the format INSTANCENAME. The assumed installation location is the local computer.
    Not supported: A server name using the format ServerName\INSTANCE.
    You are using a custom database name. Select Custom configuration and type the database name.
    The database name must be unique, or the installation will fail.

  8. On the Configure page, accept the default value, Use this local computer.

    Note

    If you're installing the Management server and Management database side-by-side, the appropriate options are selected by default and cannot be changed.

  9. On the initial Create New Reporting Database page, configure the Microsoft SQL Server instance and Reporting Server database by selecting the appropriate option below.

    Method What you need to do
    You are using a custom Microsoft SQL Server instance. Select Use the custom instance, and type the name of the instance.
    Use the format INSTANCENAME. The assumed installation location is the local computer.
    Not supported: A server name using the format ServerName\INSTANCE.
    You are using a custom database name. Select Custom configuration and type the database name.
    The database name must be unique, or the installation will fail.

  10. On the Configure page, accept the default value: Use this local computer.

    Note

    If you're installing the Management server and Management database side-by-side, the appropriate options are selected by default and cannot be changed.

  11. On the Configure (Management Server Configuration) page, specify the following:

    Item to configure Description and examples
    Specify AD group Specify the AD group with sufficient permissions to manage the App-V environment. Example: MyDomain\MyUser

    After installation, you can add users or groups on the management console. However, global security groups and Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) distribution groups are not supported. You must use Domain local or Universal groups to perform this action.
    Website name Specify the custom name that will be used to run the publishing service.
    If you do not have a custom name, you don't have to change it.
    Port binding Specify a unique port number that will be used by App-V. Example: 12345
    Ensure that the port specified is not being used by another website.

  12. On the Configure Publishing Server Configuration page, specify the following:

    Item to configure Description and examples
    Specify the management service URL Example: http://localhost:12345
    Website name Specify the custom website name that will be used to run the publishing service.
    If you do not have a custom name, do not make any changes.
    Port binding Specify a unique port number that will be used by App-V. Example: 54321
    Ensure that the port specified is not being used by another website.

  13. On the Reporting Server page, specify the following:

    Item to configure Description and examples
    Website name Specify the custom name that will be used to run the Reporting Service.
    If you do not have a custom name, do not make any changes.
    Port binding Specify a unique port number that will be used by App-V. Example: 55555
    Ensure that the port specified is not being used by another website.

  14. To start the installation, click Install on the Ready page, and then click Close on the Finished page.

  15. To verify that the setup completed successfully, open a web browser, and type the following URL with the bracketed variables adjusted according to your specifications in the earlier steps:

    http://<Management server machine name>:<Management service port number>/console.html

    Example: http://localhost:12345/console.html. If the installation succeeded, the App-V Management console will display with no errors.