Create an AppStream 2.0 App Block - Amazon AppStream 2.0
Step 1: Configure the app blockStep 2: Create the Application Package

Create an AppStream 2.0 App Block

Follow these steps to create an app block with the AppStream 2.0 packaging type.

Step 1: Configure the app block

To configure the app block

  1. Open the AppStream 2.0 console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/appstream2.

  2. From the left-hand navigation menu, choose Applications Manager, App blocks, and Create app block.

  3. For app block packaging, select AppStream 2.0.

  4. For App block details, type a unique name identifier for the app block. Optionally, you can also specify the following:

    • Name – A unique name for the app block.

    • Display name (optional) – A friendly name for the app block.

    • Description (optional) – A description for the app block.

  5. (Optional) An app block with AppStream 2.0 packaging doesn't need a setup script. You can optionally provide post-installation steps the following Advanced Options:

    • For Post setup script object in S3, either enter the Amazon S3 URI that represents the post setup script object, or choose Browse S3 to navigate to your Amazon S3 buckets and find the setup script object.

    • For Post setup script executable, enter the executable needed for your post setup script.

    Note

    If your setup script can execute directly, enter the filename of the setup script. If your setup script relies on another executable (for example, Microsoft PowerShell) to execute, enter the path to that executable.

    Path to Microsoft PowerShell on Microsoft Windows:

    C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

    Optionally, for Setup script executable arguments under Script settings, enter in the arguments that need to be provided to the setup script executable to execute your setup script.

    Note

    If you are using a Microsoft PowerShell script, you must specify the "-File" parameter with the name of your setup script as an executable argument. Additionally, ensure that the Execution Policy allows your script to be run. To learn more, see about_Execution_Policies and What is PowerShell?.

    For Execution duration in seconds under Script settings, enter the timeout duration for your setup script.

    Note

    The execution duration in seconds is how long AppStream 2.0 waits for the setup script to run before continuing. If your setup script doesn’t complete within this duration, an error is displayed to your user and the application will attempt to launch. The setup script is terminated after the execution duration has elapsed.

  6. Under Import Settings, choose Create new app block application file. For S3 Location under Import settings, either enter the Amazon S3 URI that represents the bucket, or choose Browse S3 to navigate to your Amazon S3 buckets and select an appropriate bucket. The list of Amazon S3 buckets is global and lists all the buckets across all regions. Make sure you select the bucket in the region where you want to create your app block. For more information about setting bucket permissions, see Store Application Icon, Setup Script, Session Script, and VHD in an S3 Bucket.

  7. Select an app block builder. Only app block builders that are not associated with other app blocks are available. If the list is empty, either create a new app block builder, or disassociate the existing ones to use. App block builder is a reusable resource that you can use to create your application package.

    Note

    If you do not select an app block builder here, you can still create your app block in the Inactive state, and activate your app block later. For more information, see Activate an App Block.

  8. (Optional) For Tags, create tags for the app block resource.

  9. Choose Next.

  10. Review the information that you entered, and choose one of the following options:

    • Choose Create app block if you didn't select an app block builder in step 7.

    • Choose Launch app block builder if you chose an app block builder in step 7. Then continue to Step 2 to create your application package using the app block builder streaming session.

At this point, your app block resource is created, but it is Inactive and can't be used for Elastic fleets.

Step 2: Create the Application Package

Use the app block builder streaming instance to package your applications and activate your app block. The app block created using app block builder will have AppStream 2.0 packaging, and the application package will be uploaded onto the Amazon S3 bucket in your AWS account.

To create the application package

  1. After your streaming session is on, the application builder assistant automatically starts. If it doesn’t start, start it manually using the desktop icon.

  2. The initial screen provides instructions for the application packaging process.

  3. Bring your application installer onto your app block builder streaming session by using one of the following options:

    • Download the application installers from the web.

    • Use your streaming session file interface.

    • Download the application installer from another AWS service using a machine role.

  4. After you have all the required application installers, stop all the other apps running on the instance and choose Start recording. The app block builder starts recording system changes, and the screen says Recording in progress.

  5. Start installing your applications one by one.

  6. When you are done with application installation, choose Stop recording, and the system will stop recording changes. If you want to make any more changes to your application package, such as add more applications or remove an already installed application, choose Start recording, and make sure the system is in Recording in progress mode.

    Note

    If your application installation fails, choose Report a problem to collect AppStream 2.0 related logs from the instance, and report the problem to the AppStream 2.0 team. When you are done, end your app block builder streaming session. You can try to restart the process creating an app block by using a new app block builder instance. If the problem persists, then try to create your app block using custom packaging.

  7. When you are done installing all the applications, choose Stop recording. You can test your application, by using the Start Menu or browsing the application using File Explorer.

  8. Choose Next to review your app block details.

    Note

    The recommended size of an application package (VHD) file for an Elastic fleet is less than 1.5 GB. If your VHD file size is bigger than 1.5 GB, try reducing the number of applications packaged within one app block.

    Application package (VHD) file size will not shrink if you uninstall an application. Restart the application packaging process using a new app block streaming session, and install fewer applications.

  9. Choose Finish app block creation and disconnect to create the application package and upload it to the Amazon S3 bucket. If you are successful, the streaming session will automatically disconnect, and the app block will be in an Active state.

    Note

    If your application installation fails, choose Report a problem to collect AppStream 2.0 related logs from the instance, and report the problem to the AppStream 2.0 team. When you are done, end your app block builder streaming session. You can try to restart the process creating an app block by using a new app block builder instance. If the problem persists, then try to create your app block using custom packaging.