Application Virtualisation – What Are My Options?
Many software applications mandate the need for a dedicated server platform. In many cases, this is not a resource requirement but to ensure that the software can operate in a clean environment unaffected by co-located software. Even when software does not specify a separate environment as IT, you have to dedicate considerable time in performing system integration testing to ensure that the new application operates correctly in its new environment and has not had any detrimental effect on other applications operating on the same server.
Application Virtualisation offers two inherent benefits. First, it enables you to implement applications in their own distinct and isolated environment reducing installation, configuration and testing while at the same time allowing these applications to run anywhere at anytime. Second, through operating multiple virtual environments, you are able to co-host applications, safely, on single platforms dramatically reducing both the number of servers you require and also the associated power, i.e. storage, memory, processors, etc.
Application Virtualisation is a proven approach and one that b2Lateral has been supporting their clients with for over a decade now. As the technology has matured, many more vendors have developed solutions in this area providing the IT professional with extensive choice. Some of the solutions available are as follows:
Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V).
Microsoft has embraced application virtualisation, placing it at the heart of its solutions and
enabling applications to be decoupled from the operating system and enabling them to run as network
services. App-V can be layered on top of other virtualisation technologies, i.e. network, storage,
machines, etc to create a fully virtual IT environment enabling resources to be dynamically allocated
in real-time based on real-time needs.
App-V enables applications to run without the need to visit a desktop, laptop, or terminal server. Applications are no longer installed on the client, but reside on the host server with minimal impact on resources or other applications. App-V virtualises per user, per application instance, as well as per key application component; as such, application conflict and the need for regression testing is dramatically reduced.
App-V enables virtual application deployments, patches, updates and terminations to be more easily managed via policies and administration via the App-V condole.
Novell ZENworks Virtualized Applications
Novell ZENworks virtualized applications run in an isolated environment that are immune to conflicts
with internal applications. Each virtualized application is packaged with all application files, settings,
runtimes and components needed to run immediately. Applications act just like they would if they were
installed locally but your operating system, registry and runtime environment is unchanged.
Novell ZENworks tackles the normally arduous process of distributing new applications on locked-down systems. Maintaining changing registries, files and DLL on these systems often results in touch choices regarding security versus compatibility. By isolating application resource interdependencies, Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization helps you to manage secure environments without compromise.
A no-fuss environment is what Novell claim, with virtual applications being able to be deployed with no additional agents or device drivers to support and no virtual machines to set-up or manage. Step-by-step wizards automate the creation process and can optimise the virtual application, if required, to run directly from DVD’s or USB drives.
VMware Thin App
This application virtualization solution from VMware encapsulates your application from the OS and other
applications. Thin App enables you to simply plug in an .MSI or .EXE file to deploy a virtual system environment,
including registry keys, DLLs, third-party libraries and frameworks without the need for any of this to be
installed on the underlying operating system.
Thin App effectively creates a packaged .EXE that includes both the application and its virtual OS. This enables you to package your application environment once and then for this to be deployed anywhere at anytime from a network device, USB-based device or on a physical or virtual desktop.
This solution significantly improves mobility, with applications being self-contained packages that can be run securely on any device the user has access to, including hotel computers. It also eases OS migration by enabling applications to run side by side on the same operating system. Users can continue with business as usual without disruption from problematic applications. Furthermore, if an application needs to be removed from the endpoint, it is a simple file remove with no mess left to clean up in the system registry.
How Can b2Lateral Help?
We have been helping our clients evaluate, deploy and manage virtualisation for over a decade now and,
as such, are fully versed in all of the options that are available. For some organisations, Application
Virtualisation offers significant value and benefit, whereas for others, a Virtualized Desktop approach
may be more appropriate.
To find out more about the different virtualisation technologies available, please request more information on virtualisation from our more information page.