Understanding Templates used in App Volumes

In App Volumes, a template is a .vmdk or a .vhd file which can be used to create application packages, AppStacks, or Writable Volumes. You must specify a template when you create a volume or when you upload volumes packaged with your instance of App Volumes Manager to the selected datastore.

Note: AppStacks and Writable Volumes (2.x) can be created only by using App Volumes Agent 2.x and uploading the appropriate templates. Any information related to these volumes can be viewed only when the VOLUMES (2.X) tab is visible in the App Volumes Manager UI. If you have installed the latest version of App Volumes Manager and want to explore App Volumes 2.x, see Perform App Volumes 2.x Management Tasks.

• packages_templates and writables_templates are used for creating application packages and Writable Volumes for App Volumes 4.x.
• apps_templates and writables_templates (for 2.x template type) are used for creating AppStacks (2.x) and Writable Volumes for App Volumes 2.x.
• Templates for Writable Volumes and Writable Volumes (2.x) are not compatible with each other.
• Template path for Writable Volumes and Writable Volumes (2.x) must be different.

Types of Writable Volume Templates

The following types of Writable Volume templates are available in App Volumes: Profile-only, UIA only, and UIA+profile. Depending on your requirement, you can use any of these types in your environment.

Writable Volume template types and their usage is listed as follows:

• Profile-only - Captures only the profile information of the users and does not include any configuration information related to user-installed applications in the Writable Volumes. The profile is delivered early in the boot process and considered only a local profile delivery. Additional profile tools like roaming profiles and VMware Dynamic Environment Manager still apply and work as expected. Use this template if a profile solution is not in place.
• UIA only - Captures all user-installed applications but does not capture any data that is written to the user profile. You can use this template with a third-party profile solution or VMware Dynamic Environment Manager.
• UIA+profile - Includes all user-installed applications and user profile data. The user profile data is only a local profile and is not a roaming profile or other managed user profiles.