6.3 Streaming Virtual Applications from a Network Share

The SpoonPlay command line tool is a utility for running streamed applications from a network share. After you package the application and create the streaming files, you can store the files on a network share or a Web server. SpoonPlay manages the launch and local cache of streamed virtual applications from a network share to a desktop.

6.3.1 Setting Up SpoonPlay to Stream Applications

The SpoonPlay command line tool (SpoonPlay.exe) ships with XVm.exe. Copy this file to the same folder where you run SpoonPlay.exe. The SpoonPlay.exe file streams the application and the XVm.exe file runs it.

6.3.2 Using the SpoonPlay Command Line

This section describes how you can launch an application by using the command line and then cache the application on our local machine as an SVM file.

Launching a Streaming Model

Launching a streaming model requires you to use of the /model and /xvm flags. The /model flag specifies the location to the model files and the /xvm flag specifies the location of the XVm file that is used to launch the application.

For example, to launch the streaming model from a file server using the command line: Spoonplay.exe /model=\\server1\apps\myapp\1-2-3-4__0\xstream\0\model.xm /xvm=\\server1\tools\xvm.exe.

Launching an Application from a Web Server

SpoonPlay can also launch a streaming model from a web server that has been configured to stream applications. SpoonPlay requires the /config flag, which specifies the location of the application configuration file that exists on the Web server.

For example, to use the command line to launch a streaming model from a Web server: Spoonplay.exe /config=http://mysite.com/configs/app.xml.

For more information, see Generating Site License Certificates and Application Configurations in the ZENworks Application Virtualization User Guide.

Caching an Application

After launching a streaming model, SpoonPlay allows the application to be cached as an SVM file on your local machine. This eliminates the need to re-stream the model for this application during future launches. The following example shows the command line usage for caching an application after launching a streaming model:

Spoonplay.exe /model=\\server1\apps\myapp\1-2-3-4__0\xstream\0\model.xm /xvm=\\server1\tools\xvm.exe /cache=c:\apps\myapp.

6.3.3 Integrating SpoonPlay with the SpoonReg Command Line Tool

You can use the SpoonReg command line tool to supply shell integration such as desktop shortcuts, Start menu shortcuts, and file associations.

To use SpoonReg with SpoonPlay, use the cache option and execute SpoonReg only after caching is complete. When the application is completely cached, SpoonPlay returns an exit code of zero (0). Based on this, you can write a script to launch a streaming model and register the application when caching is complete and the application is closed.

The following example shows the use of command line options and integration of SpoonReg in a batch script:

SpoonPlay.exe /model=\\path\to\model\model.xm /cache=<path to SVM>\application.svm 

if “%errorlevel%” == “0” SpoonReg.exe <path to SVM>\application.svm.

6.3.4 Using a Network Share with ZENworks Application Virtualization

You can use a network share when you streaming virtual applications from a network.

Storing a Sandbox Location on a Network Share

You can use the configuration wizard to configure a sandbox to be stored in a network location.

Use the following format for the network share: \\Ipaddress of the server\share name\sandbox foldername.

If you use a network share to launch an application, the sandbox is created at the network location rather than on the user's home directory.

Launching a Virtual Application Whose Component Is Stored in a Network Location

If a component is stored at a network location, you can launch it with a virtual application.

For example, you can use the following syntax to specify SVMs on a network share: virtual-app.exe /XLayerPath=\\network\share\patches\*.svm.

Streaming the Applications from a Network

If users want to use a network share for streaming the applications rather than using the Web server, they can use the following options at the command line: Spoonplay.exe /model=\\server1\apps\myapp\1-2-3-4__0\xstream\0\model.xm/xvm=\\server1\tools\xvm.exe.