In short:
- 1. Use our Amazon AppStream 2.0 deployment PowerShell script here: https://github.com/Cosmistack/Amazon_AppStream_2_0_Deployment
Introduction
Amazon AppStream 2.0 is AWS' latest client software for its application virtualization solution, AppStream. Whether you're deploying an AppStream environment yourself, or your users just need to access an external SaaS application via AppStream, you've no doubt needed to deploy AppStream 2.0 to your endpoints.
While Amazon does provide some instructions on deployment via PowerShell, they are pretty surface level and assume you've already downloaded the install files on the specific endpoint. Moreover, if you're managing multiple endpoints, you're probably using an RMM tool and want to avoid manually remoting in to each endpoint, downloading the installers, and the script. Well, look no further! We've created a simple PowerShell script that takes care of this for you!
https://github.com/Cosmistack/Amazon_AppStream_2_0_Deployment
Bonus: How to Deploy with NinjaOne
Note: While these instructions specifically reference using NinjaOne RMM, the general concepts will be applicable to just about any RMM tool that can store and run PowerShell scripts. You will need sufficient access in NinjaOne to create automations before proceeding
1. Open NinjaOne and navigate to Administration > Library > Automation . Link here for your convenience.
2. Click Add > New Script
3. Now, in the script editor, copy and paste the contents of our AppStream2.0 PowerShell deployment script
4. Next, give the automation a name and add a description and categories, if desired. Set Language to "PowerShell", Operating System to "Windows", Architecture to "64-bit", and leave Run As set to the default of "System"
5. You now have the option to add script parameters. Our script takes two optional parameters: ForceInstall and NoUSBDriver.
By default, if the AppStream installer finds an existing "AppStreamClient" directory in `%localappdata%, it won't proceed with the installation as it assumes AppStream is already completely installed.
As it suggests, the NoUSBDriver option skips the installation of the driver for USB redirection with AppStream. Even if you aren't planning on using USB direction, we recommend installing the driver so you don't have to worry about configuring this later if the need arises.
If you want to configure any combinations of these parameters, add them as switches in the Parameters field, e.g. `-ForceInstall -NoUSBDriver`. Note that you can also add/edit them at the time you run the automation. In our example, we're adding the `-ForceInstall` switch as a preset.
6. Save the script
7. Find a suitable device to test the automation on. On the device page, use the "play" button icon to select Run Automation > Script
8. Select your AppStream deployment script from the list. Select or add any parameters as needed. Click Run
9. The script will now start running. Keep in mind, it may take some time to complete, especially as it needs to download the latest Enterprise Deployment Tool from Amazon first.
10. When the script completes, you can check the output by clicking on the activity detail
11. As mentioned in the script's comments, keep in mind that AppStream 2.0 will not be available immediately. Amazon's AppStream installer instead waits until the next time a user signs in to finish installing. So, to test this, sign in on the test device and wait a minute or two for the AppStream icon to appear on the desktop.
12. Double-click on the AppStream icon, and you will be ready to go!
Conclusion
We hope this tutorial was helpful and that our deployment script works well for you! Keep in mind, the deployment script is just a starting point - feel free to customize it to your organization's needs to further streamline your deployment. Thanks for reading and for all of your IT consulting needs, contact Cosmistack today!
