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TAG: Application Virtualization

June 21, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft's Application Virtualization 4.5 reaches RC status

The latest version of Microsoft's application virtualization technology is now ready after reaching release candidate status. The technology comes from the 2006 acquisition of Softricity and their SoftGrid application. And with this new 4.5 release, rather than sticking with the old SoftGrid name, Microsoft has decided to change things up a bit and call the product Microsoft Application Virtualization.

However, that name doesn't seem to roll off the tongue quite like saying Hyper-V. So, using the informal name or shortened version of the product known as "App-V" seems more fitting. After all, it sounds better, it's easier to say, it ties in with Hyper-V, and it goes along with other application virtualization products from competitors like VMware ThinApp or Citrix XenApp.

Here are some of the new features found in Microsoft App-V 4.5:

HTTP Streaming. Virtual applications can be streamed from an IIS server (Version 6 or 7), helping to provide performance and scalability improvements for large App-V deployments.
New, Simplified Sequencer UI. A single wizard is used for creating a new package and enhancements have been made that will make editing packages even easier.
Dynamic Suite Composition (DSC) for MSI packages. Creating MSI packages directly from the sequencer eliminates the need for a server environment. It is also possible to now dynamically suite two MSI packages together by following a few simple steps.
Improved Integration with SCCM 2007 R2. Will offer the ability to deploy virtual applications via SCCM.
Reporting. Application usage information is now recorded locally on each client so that offline usage is now accounted for properly in the App-V database. Customized reports will also be possible.
New Manageability Tools. An OpsMgr 2007 Management Pack has been added to improve the monitoring capabilities of App-V servers.

If you want to download the product, sign in to Microsoft Connect with your LiveID.

Posted by David Marshall on June 21, 2008 10:00 AM

June 12, 2008 | Comments: (0)

VMware gets into desktop application virtualization with ThinApp 4.0

VMware is launching the first release of a product that comes from its January acquisition of the application virtualization company Thinstall. VMware said their Thinstall 4.0 product will let customers run multiple versions of virtually any application on any Windows operating system without conflict.

A common example of this technology shows a user running two applications that won't normally install or play well on the same machine because of registry and DLL conflicts. Two examples that demonstrate this technology - running Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and 7 on the same machine or operating two different versions of Microsoft Office at the same time.

VMware says this new technology requires no pre-installed software on physical or virtual PCs and no new deployment infrastructure or management tools.

ThinApp improves application packaging and delivery, as well as management by enabling plug-and-play applications using an enterprise's existing systems and management tools. Its engine packages applications into familiar formats such as .MSI or .EXE which plugs into existing infrastructure for software license management, deployment, audit and compliance. The package can then run in its own sandbox. And because the application has its operating system dependencies included in the package, it can avoid any changes or updates that get made to the host operating system that could cause potential conflicts.

In version 4.0, VMware says it is introducing two new "revolutionary" features - Application Link and Application Sync. For example, Link allows interdependent applications to communicate with one another (such as Java, .Net, IE, Office) to eliminate conflicts, reduce application size, and maintain continuity and tracking of software licenses. Sync on the other hand streams byte-level updates to users' critical applications inside and outside the enterprise using HTTP/HTTPS, and on managed and non-managed PCs running virtualized applications.

"Application packaging, testing and delivery continues to be one of the biggest drivers of desktop management costs and a barrier to compliance and security," said Jeff Jennings, vice president of desktop products and solutions for VMware. "With VMware ThinApp, customers can decouple applications from the underlying OS, which makes their application environments more agile and flexible while maintaining control over their desktops."

The VMware ThinApp offering, which includes a copy of VMware Workstation and 50 client licenses, is priced at $5,000. The client licenses are priced at $39 per endpoint and the ThinApp licenses are perpetual.

ThinApp is expected to be available for purchase within 30 days through VMware's network of distributors, resellers and OEMs.

Posted by David Marshall on June 12, 2008 07:45 AM

June 05, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Xenocode brings Virtual Application Studio to the application virtualization market

Hardware virtualization is hot right now, there is no question about it. And with everyone buzzing and talking about "virtualization" in general, hardware virtualization is still getting the lion's share of the headlines.

In many cases, people are leveraging hardware or server virtualization so that they can isolate and operate their applications. And in many of those instances, perhaps those people could have used an application virtualization technology instead to accomplish the same goal with a slightly different result.

One such player, Xenocode, recently launched its flagship offering called Xenocode Virtual Application Studio. The company says it is a next-generation application virtualization environment that allows Windows .Net and Java-based desktop applications to be deployed in standalone executables that run instantly and reliably, anywhere.

Xenocode described traditional application deployment as:

Slow because of time-consuming setup and customization
Insecure because it doesn't support locked-down desktops
Unreliable, with application collisions and Vista migrations as examples

"Application virtualization is the next wave of virtualization technology, with compelling performance, flexibility, and economic advantages over traditional hardware virtualization," said Kenji Obata, Xenocode founder and CEO. "With Xenocode's application virtualization technology, organizations can largely eliminate the enormous costs, risks, and limitations associated with traditional desktop application deployment and enable a new level of application portability."

Sounds good, doesn't it? Even the hardware virtualization giant, VMware, bought into the application virtualization marketing. VMware jumped into the game after it had acquired Thinstall, and their Project North Star is edging closer to a GA release. Others have been doing this for a while as well. I've mentioned Altiris SVS Pro a few times now. The company was purchased by Symantec, and the technology has been pushing forward, recently uniting application virtualization and streaming with the acquisition of AppStream.

So how does Xenocode differentiate itself from other technologies? Obata told me that "Xenocoded" applications don't require any clients, device drivers, or other infrastructure servers to operate. Xenocode binaries walk, talk, and quack like standard Windows executables. They can be deployed using your existing desktop management infrastructure (including SMS, Altiris, LANDesk, BMC, etc.), or just dropped on Web pages, file shares, or USB keys.

Obata added, "Xenocode is designed for ease-of-use (a major obstacle to adoption) and maximum application compatibility (a major obstacle to technology implementation). Generally speaking, we are 100 percent focused on application virtualization and envision ourselves as the high-volume, low-cost, vendor-neutral provider of this technology."

When asked about Xenocode's approach to application virtualization, Brad Rowland, Symantec director of marketing, endpoint virtualization, said, "We've heard about the agentless approach before. The fact remains, there must be a virtualization agent or technology hidden somewhere. In this case, the application virtualization occurs in each application instance, which increases the size and complexity of the environment and defeats the purpose of virtualization."

Rowland added, "Years ago, Symantec pioneered the idea of platform-agnostic endpoint virtualization and streaming. We are not tied to Microsoft, Citrix, or VMware management and virtualization infrastructures but support all alternative compute models." He went on to say that Xenocode doesn't offer streaming technology, but they recommend Symantec AppStream for a streaming solution.

The market is growing. And as Xenocode, Symantec, VMware, and others all continue to go after what IDC describes as an $11.7 billion market by 2011, the application virtualization technology will continue to mature and end-users will continue to find ways and reasons to deploy it in their environment.

Posted by David Marshall on June 5, 2008 07:20 PM

May 18, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Check Point now offers virtualized browser protection

In the virtualization world, 'security' is a word that is coming up more and more these days. And there are many companies showing up that are attempting to marry the two together. Check Point Software Technologies is one such company, announcing the general availability of ZoneAlarm ForceField, a comprehensive virtualized browser security solution. In public Beta testing since last September, the solution protects a computer from various Internet attacks by isolating the browser from the rest of the system.

According to Check Point, ForceField enables consumers to bank and shop online, or surf the Internet without fear or limitation. They claim the product addresses the growing security threats that are being delivered online, including drive-by-downloads, unwanted malware and other Web threats that damage users' PCs or steal users' private information.

Check Point's approach secures the Web session itself and is implemented in multiple layers. The first layer of virtualized browsing places an impenetrable two-way "bubble of security" around the browser.

In addition to two-way virtualization protection, ForceField security layers also include anti-phishing to provide fraud protection, spyware site blocking to prevent users from accidently visiting known spyware distribution sites, download protection, site rating to provide important security information about a site, keylogger jamming, and private browsing to keep user's personal information secure.

"Hackers today are exploiting widespread browser vulnerabilities to steal consumers' personal information, utilizing techniques that are unstoppable by traditional PC-based security products," said Laura Yecies, vice president and general manager of Check Point's ZoneAlarm consumer division. "By virtualizing the browser, and adding active security layers, ZoneAlarm ForceField provides the highest level of technology needed to stop Web attacks, without interfering with users' browsing experience."

ZoneAlarm ForceField integrates with Internet Explorer and Firefox, and it runs under Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista. Check Point said that the product is also compatible with other brands of anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and security suites.

Check Point is right. Security is a growing concern, and the Internet raises a red flag for both the home consumer and the corporate world. Companies like Kidaro, Thinstall and Symantec are using virtualization to try and protect the desktop as well. Kidaro was recently acquired by Microsoft, and they leverage existing virtualization technology to provide their solution. Thinstall (acquired by VMware) and Symantec (which acquired Altiris) virtualizes applications to protect the registry and create their own protection isolation layer.

Other products may seem even more familiar to ForceField, like Trustware BufferZone or startup GreenBorder (which was acquired by Google before they ever really got off the ground).

What solution is right for your home or organization? Security is important in both environments, and there are a number of different approaches you can take that leverage virtualization and isolation containers to keep you safe. Keep watching these various solutions as they continue to mature.

Check Point has made ForceField available for download, and it will be available in retail outlets beginning in June.

Posted by David Marshall on May 18, 2008 03:19 PM

April 27, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Sun Microsystems helps ISVs with SaaS model

Sun Microsystems introduced a new virtualization service called Solaris On Demand, a software as a service (SaaS) program created to help the independent software vendor (ISV) community.

Solaris On Demand helps convert traditional installation applications into a software as a service model. By leveraging Sun's virtualization technology, ISVs can offer their applications on-demand without having to use a multi-tenancy application architecture and without having to make any code changes.

To make this transition from a traditional software to a SaaS architecture, Sun is offering a 90-day free trial to its customers to ensure success. Joining the program, ISVs will have access to hosting, hardware, managed services and backup, with a 99.5 percent guaranteed uptime service level agreement through either Sun or one of its partners, which include AT&T's USi Communications, NTT Europe Online or NaviSite. In addition, Sun also provides technical, budgetary and marketing support.

"Working closely with our community of ISVs, we developed a program to meet the new needs of ISVs as they move from on-premise solutions and business practices to an on-demand model," said Juan Carlos Soto, vice president of global market development and engineering, Sun Microsystems.

"The Solaris On Demand program combines Sun's expertise and leading network computing technologies such as the open source Solaris OS, xVM virtualization technology, and energy-efficient systems with high availability hosting solutions from Sun partners. In the end, we eliminate the risk for ISVs as they transition to delivering their SaaS applications."

To join the Solaris On Demand program, sign up on Sun's Web site.

Costs can vary based on hosting needs but a company can get an idea as to the cost during their 90 day trial period before they make a long term commitment.

Posted by David Marshall on April 27, 2008 02:48 PM

April 09, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Symantec finally acquires AppStream to complete the virtualization package

Today during the keynote address at Symantec ManageFusion 2008 in Las Vegas, Symantec announced that they were finally completing their application virtualization package with the acquisition of AppStream.

You might remember, it was a year ago at ManageFusion 2007 that Symantec announced that it was going to acquire Altiris, maker of SVS and SVS Pro application virtualization software. When I heard the announcement, the first thing that came to my mind was, so when are they going to purchase AppStream?

In June 2007, I covered the news about Symantec upgrading SVS to version 2.1. And in that same article, I wrote:

Symantec has signed a partnership agreement with application streaming software provider, AppStream, who has pioneered the streaming application market. The two companies have had quite a history together and the two products work so well together - they might as well be one. And perhaps, they should be. After the news about the Altiris acquisition was made, I immediately called for Symantec to purchase AppStream and keep this family of products together. While the partnership goes a long way, I still think both companies could benefit from marrying these two applications together once and for all. Application streaming and virtualization, after all, go together like peanut butter and jelly (or select your two favorite combined food items).

Well, it only took 12 months, but it looks like Symantec finally agrees about the value that AppStream brings to the SVS Pro product. How much? That's unclear. At least from a dollar amount. The definitive acquisition agreement was a private cash transaction for an undisclosed amount. And the deal should close by the end of the quarter.

Today, I met with Ken Berryman, Symantec VP of EndPoint Virtualization Group, and Srinivasa Venkataraman, CEO of AppStream. When asked why the acquisition took so long (the company's have been working together for nearly two years as partners), Berryman said that Symantec was waiting to get the organizational structure together before bringing AppStream into the company. And at the same time, Symantec wanted to validate that there was a sufficient market for the technology. Both are now accomplished.

Organizational changes have taken place, and AppStream will be brought into the EndPoint Virtualization Group to join and remain part of the Altiris SVS Pro application virtualization product.

It is from this group that I expect to see some great new products hit the virtualization market in the next 12 months. The people who created and brought us Altiris SVS really know what they are doing and have created a successful application virtualization solution. InfoWorld put their product to the test in a shoot out against some of the competition back in September last year - one of those competitors was Thinstall now owned by VMware.

And don't expect that AppStream is sitting on the sidelines waiting to be acquired. On the show floor yesterday, the company was showing off a new version of their streaming solution at their booth, with new features that customers have been asking for that deal with user profile problems and answering the packaging difficulties that keep many people away from the technology. If you already have MSI files, you are half way home to streaming your applications. When these two groups come together, expect innovative and fresh ideas to hit your server and desktop machine in the near future.

Posted by David Marshall on April 9, 2008 01:44 PM

March 02, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Application virtualization: a conversation with Symantec/Altiris

Application virtualization is one of those technologies that has been around for a little while now, but it just doesn't seem to get the same attention as its older sibling -- server virtualization.

There are a number of application virtualization products on the market, and yet, it took the acquisition of one of them -- Thinstall -- by VMware to really make people take notice of the technology. What is it about this application virtualization technology that made VMware reach into its IPO pockets to pull out money in order to acquire someone like Thinstall?

To find out more about the technology, the market, and what life is like after a virtualization giant like VMware enters your domain, I spoke with someone who is very familiar with all three scenarios -- Scott Jones, product manager at Symantec.

Q: With VMware's acquisition in the application virtualization market, people who haven't heard of this technology are finally taking notice. Can you give us a little background on Symantec/Altiris SVS? What is it and what does it offer?

A: Virtualization for the sake of virtualization introduces additional complexity and does not provide true value to the business. Symantec is focused on helping business better secure and manage the endpoint. The introduction of Altiris Software Virtualization Solution two years ago introduced a fundamental shift in how IT manages and users consume software.

Our customers are now doing things they never thought were possible by virtualizing applications using SVS. But it is important to keep in mind that the wow factor is secondary to being able to help customers resolve application conflicts, streamline software break / fix, and deliver software on demand all while maintaining the typical end user application experience.

Q: How do you guys define application virtualization?

A: We've just tweaked the Wikipedia definition of virtualization to fit application-level virtualization. It is, "The process of presenting a logical grouping of application resources so that they can be accessed in ways that give benefits over the original configuration."

Q: What impact do you see application virtualization having on the market?

A: Application virtualization is the future of software management and consumption. The old model was and is fundamentally broken. We feel that the majority of software applications should be virtualized and have made significant inroads with the power user and IT communities. The next frontier is to get ISVs to start packaging and selling their software as virtualized.

Whether it is the home power user, the IT admin, application packager, or the software vendor, the benefit is similar. SVS offers a significantly improved software experience that reduces support costs, eliminates many of the headaches inherent to software, and maintains a pristine computing environment.

Q: How easy is it to use SVS and package an application? Is there a huge learning curve involved?

A: To put SVS usability into perspective, we offer it free for personal use and to date it has been downloaded more than 225,000 times. Relatively non-technical users are downloading SVS in mass because it is so powerful yet easy to use. Packaging an application with SVS takes only a few steps and is very similar to installing a conventional application.

The real learning curve is getting your head around the fact that these things are now possible and that what is happening is not some kind of black magic. For the enterprise IT application packager and software developer, we have built SVS integration into our Wise Package Studio and Wise Installation Studio products making the output of a virtualized application just as simple as a traditional MSI package. It is also important to note that Altiris SVS uses an open architecture and standards and can be managed via a systems management tool of choice, a CLI, WMI or a C API that is freely available.

Q: VMware recently acquired application virtualization technology with the purchase of Thinstall. What does that say about the application virtualization market? Do you think this will finally give application virtualization the respect that it deserves? And how does this acquisition affect SVS?

A: Application virtualization is here to stay. The benefits of this technology are too significant to dismiss. Our customers, IT administrators, have been giving application virtualization the respect it deserves for quite some time. The test now is for customers to find the right application of this technology within their specific IT environments and for vendors to make the technology easily consumable.

At Symantec, we've done an excellent job of providing all the benefits of application virtualization minus the overhead of an oppressive back-end infrastructure, without introducing additional complexity, and in a way that works seamlessly with existing systems management architectures.

Q: Thinstall seems to offer as a claim to fame that their technology is agentless. And that's one way the company differentiates itself from the pack. Isn't that a good thing?

A: Their definition of agentless is debatable, but for the sake of argument, let's let them have the agentless claim. For the consumer market, agentless is typically a good thing. For enterprise IT, an agent is the best way to maintain control and avoid unmanageable sprawl. I have a lot to say about this topic and I think I cover it pretty well in this post on the Juice.

Q: What about Symantec/Altiris -- how do you guys differentiate yourself from other application virtualization vendors?

A: We are focused on turning chaos into order all while not introducing more chaos. We like to call it 'containment that's clear' or 'smart stability'.

For starters, SVS maintains a normal end-user experience, with the benefits of application virtualization available underneath the covers. SVS also does not alter the performance or behavior of applications. This goes back to one of our core tenets, do no harm. Our customers want to continue to be able to continue to use their antivirus and systems management tools for both traditional and virtualized applications. Also, it is not acceptable to sacrifice application functionality for virtualization.

In addition, SVS embraces and extends the native Windows architecture. Our technology uses the Microsoft filter driver framework, which works with NTFS and/or FAT file systems. It also supports the MSI packaging format while Windows APIs, services, COM / DCOM, user profiles, permissions and group policies all function normally.

Next, SVS supports an open architecture and open standards. SVS can be managed via a CLI, WMI or a C API that is freely available. The Virtual Software Archive (.vsa) format is a standard ZIP file. SVS streaming uses HTTP, making it Internet and MSP / SaaS ready.

Finally, the general-purpose design of SVS allows the virtualization or streaming of any software, including applications, data and eventually patches.

Q: One of the interesting features I remember SVS adding into their Pro version was the ability to stream applications. I find that the streaming aspect gives application virtualization an added bonus with additional use case scenarios. Can you talk about that a little?

A: With the addition of streaming, we feel like the dream of on-demand computing is a reality. We have numerous customers who face constant IT change and need to frequently and rapidly reconfigure PCs. Others are looking for maximum speed and reliability of software delivery, with minimum cost. For example, the health care and financial services industries both have use cases with these requirements.

Application virtualization plus streaming allows our customers to deliver a sleek computing environment on the fly. This changes the traditional model of PC image and package maintenance. Single-image management is now possible by separating the OS from the applications so that both are optimally managed. With the introduction of streaming, the new image would include the operating system, endpoint security applications like antivirus and a firewall, and finally the application virtualization agent.

This would provide an excellent opportunity to manage and optimize software license costs. Compliance could be guaranteed, unneeded applications can be eliminated, and unused licenses can be automatically harvested for redeployment.

The promise of reduced IT resource requirements seems to really get our customers' attention. Application virtualization and streaming offers rule-based, set-and-forget desktop management and user self service. No traditional application installations and guaranteed version and access control are a dream come true for many IT shops.

I'd like to thank Scott Jones from Symantec for taking time out to speak with me about application virtualization and the Altiris SVS product.

Posted by David Marshall on March 2, 2008 01:45 PM

January 16, 2008 | Comments: (0)

VMware continues down the desktop path with application virtualization purchase

VMware announced that it is once again opening up its IPO purse strings to acquire yet another company. This time, the virtualization giant is extending its reach across the virtualization market by acquiring application virtualization technology with the purchase of San Francisco based Thinstall.

VMware said they are acquiring Thinstall in order to expand their desktop virtualization capabilities. Calling Thinstall the "best technological approach in the market for application virtualization," Jeff Jennings, vice president of desktop products and solutions at VMware added that "the addition of Thinstall to our desktop virtualization portfolio will help us to better deliver cost- effective and more flexible tools for quickly and securely provisioning desktops."

Looking at the current state of the virtualization market, it certainly wasn't a surprise to see VMware go out and buy an application virtualization company. After Microsoft purchased Softricity and then watching Citrix buy XenSource, what else was VMware to do? As its competitors continued to create their own "end-to-end" virtualization story, didn't the virtualization giant need a clear story of its own?

So what does this acquisition mean to the "infant" application virtualization market as a whole?

Natalie Lambert, Senior Analyst, Desktop Operations and Architecture for Forrester Research said that the acquisition further validates the application virtualization market, and that this technology, along with streaming, is the future of software deployments and how applications will be used. Lambert said, "Before this acquisition, VMware had a huge missing piece of the virtualization pie. Yesterday, they plugged that gap by entering the application virtualization space."

Trigence EVP and COO, John Hamilton, believes Microsoft's acquisition of Softricity also helped validate the application virtualization market. Hamilton went on to say, "VMware's acquisition of Thinstall was a logical step for their VDI offering. It not only acts as a further validation of application virtualization for the desktop but moves it into the realm of a commodity." As a competitor, Trigence claims to take the technology to a whole new level beyond that of Thinstall by addressing the complex environment of the data center rather than simply looking at the desktop.

It will be interesting to see what VMware does with this technology and how far they will take it. The company's focus has always been on their hypervisor technology along with additional add-on software to try and differentiate it from the competition. But with a renewed interest in the desktop and their VDI solution, perhaps application virtualization will prove to be the important ingredient that has been missing.

Andi Mann, Research Director for Enterprise Management Associates, said this was an excellent move by VMware - calling it a winning combination. Mann said, "They get a good (and relatively mature) technology, a quality customer base, and some interesting partners, that allows them to leverage their dominance in server virtualization into the application virtualization space."

Mann said the acquisition is particularly important because "EMA's research shows that 95% of all enterprises that have deployed virtualization have deployed two or more virtualization technologies together (e.g., desktop virtualization and server virtualization), and over 90% have deployed three or more virtualization technologies. Considering also the rapid commoditization of server virtualization, and this new ability to provide a heterogeneous, end-to-end set of virtualization technologies will be critical to VMware's ability to compete and grow its success."

The acquisition of Thinstall follows on the heels of VMware's September purchase of the virtualization orchestration firm, Dunes, and the purchase earlier this month of the virtualization consulting firm, Foedus. Like the other purchases, the terms of this acquisition were not disclosed. The deal is expected however to be completed sometime in the current fiscal quarter.

Posted by David Marshall on January 16, 2008 07:31 PM

October 28, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Endeavors Ends Law Suit and Launches New Product

Endeavors Technologies, Inc. (at one time doing business as Stream Theory), announced that they have come to an agreement to end all outstanding lawsuits that Stream Theory has pursued on its patent portfolio. Under the agreement, Exent has been granted licenses to Endeavors' and Stream Theory's streaming patents and Endeavors and Stream Theory were granted licenses on Exent's streaming patents.

Peter Bondar, CEO at Endeavors, said "with the agreements signed with Microsoft, Citrix, AppStream and now Exent, we have consolidated our position as a major supplier of application streaming technologies and intellectual property." Commercial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Around the same time, however, the company also announced its latest product line - Application Jukebox - the company's next-generation application streaming and virtualization family of products.

"We are excited by the possibilities we see for Application Jukebox," said Bondar. "We envision a future where the Application Jukebox Player will be on every client, delivering applications in the same manner that a jukebox delivers music. We see an enormous opportunity in the SaaS market and are working with a number of organizations that are preparing to offer applications on a rental basis using this model. They are enthusiastic about the additional functionality and ease of use provided by Application Jukebox."

There are three editions of the new Application Jukebox product:

Application Jukebox Lite Edition (free) - A fully functional version supporting one server that allows administrators and ISVs to evaluate the product and discover the ease of creating and managing streamable versions of existing applications.
Application Jukebox SaaS Edition - Includes metering and a kiosk mode to support a pay-as-you-go, application rental model, its customizable portals create an easy-to-use environment for OEMs or ISVs to build a unique application access landing site.
Application Jukebox Enterprise Edition - Adds Active Directory support, and includes user and group monitoring, plus extensive tracking and support to cost-effectively streamline license management.

Application Jukebox products contain three key components:

Application Jukebox Player sits on the client to create the virtual application environment and provides user authentication and application license enforcement.
Application Jukebox Server controls and delivers applications, provides usage monitoring and logging, plus group, user and application level administration.
Application Jukebox Studio allows ISVs and IT administrators to create a streamable, virtualized "appset" from standard, Windows-based applications that is then published to the server.

The product is expected to have an availability sometime in early 2008.

Posted by David Marshall on October 28, 2007 09:35 AM

September 26, 2007 | Comments: (0)

InfoWorld Test Center Tackles Virtual Desktops, Application Virtualization and SaaS Delivery

InfoWorld's Randall Kennedy tackles virtual desktops and application virtualization by putting three of today's application virtualization products through the InfoWorld Test Center.

Randall takes a look at Symantec's SVS Pro 2.1, Microsoft's SoftGrid 4.2 and Thinstall's Virtualization Suite 3.2 products by looking at a "click 'n' run" concept, where he attempts to serve up virtualized applications via a SaaS method leveraging these three technologies.

To describe the level of difficulty of normally providing such a solution, Randall explains it best when he says "delivering traditional fat client applications over the Internet is a technological hurdle on the scale of enabling pigs to fly. First, you have to package the code in a way that allows it to run without actually installing anything. That's where virtualization comes in. Then you need to find a way to deliver the bits to the end-user without choking their network connection or leaving them helpless when they no longer have access to the distribution point. Here streaming and caching are the keys."

When describing application virtualization and this whole notion of streaming or SaaS delivery, he says, "What makes application virtualization so compelling is its immunity to the very issues that torpedoed the kiosk solutions. For starters, virtualized applications are modular. Though streamed by default, virtualized applications can be configured for offline use, either through caching or by simply copying the application image to the client. And though isolated from the local system (because the application's registry access and private file set are virtualized), they can still interact with local resources, seamlessly accessing the PC's storage and print devices, for instance."

He continues, "But despite having the right general plumbing, none of these first-generation solutions is designed specifically with a subscription-based computing model in mind. Microsoft SoftGrid and Thinstall Virtualization Suite are still aimed at internal enterprise deployment, whereas Symantec SVS Pro -- by virtue of its integration with a streaming server component from partner AppStream -- is closer to the goal of a true click 'n' run format. All Symantec needs to do is work out the optimization kinks."

In this 6 page analysis, all three products undergo a series of tests and benchmarks. So, what's the bottom line? Which product stands out and why? Read Randall's full findings, here.

Posted by David Marshall on September 26, 2007 05:40 AM

July 27, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Check Up On Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.1

Altiris recently posted a HotFix for its Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) 2.1 product. The HotFix reportedly fixes three blue screen problems reported to Microsoft via the Online Crash Analysis system. Also included in this HotFix is a registry cache enhancement that preserves correct operation of SVS when used with Scense on terminal servers.

The company said all users should upgrade their SVS installation with this update. For more information on this HotFix or to download it, go here.

And while you are thinking about Altiris SVS, you might want to check out the recent Podcast recording with Randy Cook, the Chief SVS Architect at Altiris. In this 12 minute audio cast, Randy talks about the beginnings of SVS (started in a basement, had three patents filed, acquired by Altiris) and how they have since completed an estimated 250-300,000 installs of the product. The media has also taken notice of the product, and it has been recognized many times by receiving numerous awards.

Who better to explain the product than Randy! Listen as he talks about how the product can instantly activate or deactivate a particular piece of software, revert a piece of software back to its first installed state with a simple reset and how it eliminates application conflicts.

He also talks about various new features found in the 2.1 release of SVS and makes mention of both Run Time Mode and Logon Hook.

You can listen, here.

You can download the product free of charge for personal use as well as other interesting downloads for SVS, here.

Posted by David Marshall on July 27, 2007 05:25 PM

June 16, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Surfaces

It's been almost a year since Microsoft completed the acquisition of Softricity, Inc. and received the application virtualization technology of SoftGrid. And since that time, there really hasn't been a lot of announcements coming out of Redmond talking about the product or the technology.

Microsoft has been working on SoftGrid 4.2 and offered a Technical Preview of the product earlier this month. Expected to be released in July 2007, the product will contain several updates including Windows Vista compatibility, support for sequencing Side-by-Side (SxS) applications (such as Office 2007 and Visual Studio Express), and bug fixes since the 4.1 release.

At TechEd 2007, Microsoft announced that SoftGrid application virtualization was going to be an important component in its Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). They said, "Using SoftGrid, IT pros can deploy applications that are not installed on the machine and do not require regression testing against other software, yet are available wherever and whenever the user needs them and can run alongside otherwise conflicting applications."

Microsoft is also working with their Technology Adoption Program (TAP) to work out new capabilities in the future release of SoftGrid, version 4.5. Some of the features being mentioned are:

Enhanced client scalability: improvements to allow very large deployments and integration with ESD systems, such as System Center Configuration Manager
Availability and maintainability: the most stable and reliable version of SoftGrid to date
Security tightening: the first SoftGrid release to go through the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) and enhancements to support internet-facing scenarios
Globalization and localization: support for both virtualizing non-English language applications and running the SoftGrid user interface in certain non-English languages

Interestingly, the company also added timeframes around the product, showing a Beta release of SoftGrid 4.5 sometime in late October, with a release candidate due around mid March and then an RTM of SoftGrid 4.5 around May or June of next year.

Posted by David Marshall on June 16, 2007 09:51 AM

June 11, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Symantec Updates Altiris Software Virtualization Solution

While attending Altiris ManageFusion, I was able to meet with Scott Jones, Altiris Product Manager for Software Virtualization Solution. When we spoke about the Symantec/Altiris acquisition, I asked him whether or not he knew if Symantec understood what they had with this jewel of a product called SVS or if they were too busy concentrating on Altiris' Server Management Suite and their Deployment Solution. He quickly assured me that Symantec not only knew about SVS but that they also understood exactly what it offered.

Fast forward to Microsoft TechEd 2007, I was able to meet up with Scott Jones once again. This time, he informed me that Symantec had announced the release of a significant update to Altiris SVS that would help optimize software management.

The new version contains a number of application virtualization improvements, as well as support for Windows Vista. According to Steve Morton, Symantec VP of Product Marketing and Strategy in the Altiris business unit, "New to this version, SVS now simplifies application compatibility and on-demand computing. The roll out of Windows Vista creates an excellent opportunity for IT organizations to take control of their computing environment, drive down costs and improve service levels."

But perhaps the most important addition to the product is the addition of integrated application streaming. And Gartner agrees as their research shows "application virtualization combines well with streaming technology. Because of the obvious benefits of combining these two technologies, application virtualization is regarded by some users as synonymous with application streaming. The two technologies will eventually become inseparable."

To that end, Symantec has signed a partnership agreement with application streaming software provider, AppStream, who has pioneered the streaming application market. The two companies have had quite a history together and the two products work so well together - they might as well be one. And perhaps, they should be. After the news about the Altiris acquisition was made, I immediately called for Symantec to purchase AppStream and keep this family of products together. While the partnership goes a long way, I still think both companies could benefit from marrying these two applications together once and for all. Application streaming and virtualization, after all, go together like peanut butter and jelly (or select your two favorite combined food items).

SVS version 2.1 is available through the company's direct sales force and resellers, and the product costs $29 per node. And keep your eyes open for the SVS 2.1 free for personal use license that will be made available for download.

Posted by David Marshall on June 11, 2007 05:52 PM

March 31, 2007 | Comments: (0)

News About Microsoft SoftGrid Including Vista Support

Very reminiscent to the period of time between when Microsoft acquired virtualization IP from Connectix Corporation and the eventual release of Microsoft Virtual Server, there has been very little news in the way of SoftGrid, the application virtualization product Microsoft acquired from Softricity less than one year ago.

However, more interesting news about the product has finally surfaced, in part because of the inquisitive audience at Microsoft's Management Summit 2007. But more to the point, the Microsoft SoftGrid team recently posted the following information on their SoftGrid Team Blog:

SoftGrid 4.1 Service Pack 1

SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 is mostly a hotfix and critical updates release, improving overall system stability and compatibility. A noteworthy improvement is the ability to sequence applications using Side by Side assemblies (aka WinSxS), including Visual Studio Express and Office 2007, among many other applications from both third party ISV's and Microsoft. Expected availability is in the second quarter of this year and the release will be made available for download as soon as test is completed. We will release the Sequencer, Desktop Client, Terminal Server Client and Server at the same time.

SoftGrid 4.2

SoftGrid 4.2 builds on the 4.1 improvements by adding Windows Vista compatibility, both on the sequencer and client. There is not going to be a 4.2 version of the Server or the Terminal Server client as the moniker 4.2 is reserved for the components adding Windows Vista compatibility. We expect a final release some time around Q3 of this year. We expect 4.1 SP1 and 4.2 to maintain parity over time, the only exception being Windows Vista compatibility in the 4.2 components.

Posted by David Marshall on March 31, 2007 04:10 PM

February 17, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Thinstall Announces Application Virtualization Suite 3.0

Thinstall Application Virtualization Suite 3.0 helps simplify the application process with its client-less application virtualization solution that allows applications to be packaged into simple EXE files that run in user-mode, isolated from the host PC, and without the need to install or change the local system's registry or file system.

The company is one of the last remaining application virtualization startups to remain independent. Softricity SoftGRID was acquired by Microsoft and Altiris SVS was recently acquired by Symantec.

Thinstall virtualizes software packages which is not to be confused with products such as those from VMware which virtualizes the entire operating system environment. Instead, by virtualizing software packages, applications themselves become easier to deploy and manage. The application itself becomes isolated from the operating system and the other applications on the machine by getting wrapped into its own isolated sandbox environment. By doing so, it protects the local machine against changes made to the file system and registry and enables true separation of application and OS.

Some of the key features in their Virtualization Suite 3.0 product include:

Instant zero-footprint deployment
User-mode only, no device drivers
No client or Server required
Fast, lightweight virtualization
Streaming capability without server or client
Support for offline execution
Windows Vista ready - instant migration
File System and Registry isolation eliminating conflicts
Sandboxing to protect machines against modifications
Support for most Windows applications

Henrik Rosendahl, executive vice-president of Thinstall said, "The new Thinstall Application Virtualization Suite 3.0 reduces support costs by eliminating runtime conflicts and speeds time to market." He continued, "Until now, one of the most time consuming and expensive components of delivering software was testing. Months of regression testing doesn't eliminate installation or run-time conflicts which result in costly technical support that erodes profits. Thinstall virtually eliminates QA testing against multiple platforms and other applications, allowing a faster time to market and ensures a flawless end user experience."

A 30-day evaluation of the product can be downloaded, here.

Posted by David Marshall on February 17, 2007 09:06 AM

February 17, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Citrix Announces Application Delivery Platform - PS 4.5

Citrix has announced the release of their latest version of Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 to help enable companies to deliver windows applications with better peformance, security and TCO.

Version 4.5 comes with significant, new capabilities such as on-demand application streaming, centralized application provisioning, end-user experience monitoring, enhanced single sign-on, and advanced graphics acceleration.

Presentation Server 4.5 provides a new, state-of-the art way of delivering Windows applications, making it dramatically easier and more cost effective to deliver Windows-based applications to any user, on any device, in any location.

John Humphreys, an analyst at IDC, said, "This latest release of Presentation Server with both application virtualization and streaming technologies provides even more flexibility for enterprise Windows customers with large application portfolios."

He continued, "The combination of these technologies-in addition to all the other new features that take advantage of Citrix's array of infrastructure technologies-not only helps their customers virtualize their applications, but also choose how to manage, provision and secure applications for their users."

The much anticipated application streaming technology was first introduced to us at the Citrix annual user conference in Florida last autumn. The technology was formerly code-named Tarpon, and has been talked about a great deal since it was first announced.

Some of the new features offered include:

On-Demand Application Streaming - Presentation Server has always provided the best way to virtualise the delivery of client-server based Windows applications, enabling them to be centrally installed and managed while providing a great access experience for end users. With its innovative new application streaming technology, Presentation Server 4.5 now extends these same benefits to desktop applications like Microsoft Office 2007, allowing them to be streamed over the network to users as an on-demand service, much like downloaded music or videos. This process is entirely transparent to end users who continue to access desktop applications from their Windows Start menu, just as they have in the past. Because streamed applications operate in a protected isolation environment on each user's desktop, IT managers can now offer a much wider range of desktop applications to users without worrying about version conflicts and migration headaches. When users are disconnected from the network, streamed applications run normally, just as if they had been installed via traditional means. When connected, any new updates, patches or rollbacks are automatically, and transparently, streamed to each user, ensuring they are always working with the latest version.

Centralized Application Provisioning - The new centralized application provisioning capabilities give customers with large Presentation Server farms one central location to stage the latest versions of all Windows, desktop and client-server applications, enabling IT to provision new applications and servers more quickly than ever before. As a result, the delivery and maintenance of Windows applications across mid-to-large enterprises is greatly simplified, allowing many application updates, rollouts or rollbacks to be completed during normal business hours without the need for weekend or late night implementations.

Enhanced Application Security - With automated single sign-on powered by Citrix Password Manager, it is now much easier for IT administrators to give users a single password that works across multiple applications, regardless of whether those applications are delivered by Presentation Server or not. The capabilities can even be extended to web and host-based applications from trusted partners using federated identity credentials such as Microsoft's ADFS (Advanced Directory Federation Services). In addition, the automated single sign-on feature enables IT managers to allow users to reset their own Windows passwords and unlock their accounts through an easy web interface.

Advanced Graphics Acceleration - With the new SpeedScreen progressive display technology in Presentation Server 4.5, the performance of graphics displays in Windows-based applications over a network is improved by up to 20 times, making it possible for the first time ever to virtualise the delivery of even the most graphics-intensive applications with no compromise in end user experience. As a result, IT can now take advantage of all the benefits of Presentation Server to deliver applications such as healthcare PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping, while providing the speed, data security, and anywhere-access flexibility that users need.

Presentation Server 4.5 comes in three editions - Advanced, Enterprise and Platinum. Available in March 2007, a suggested retail price starts at $350 per concurrent user and includes one year of Citrix Subscription Advantage support.

More details about the new features found in each edition can be found, here.

Posted by David Marshall on February 17, 2007 08:28 AM

December 03, 2006 | Comments: (0)

An Application Virtualization Overview

Confused about application virtualization? You aren't alone. Application virtualization is an extremely hot topic right now, but it doesn't usually get as much attention or exposure as the server virtualization camps such as VMware, Microsoft, and Xen.

Ruben Spruijt recently wrote an article in the Dutch Lanvision magazine discussing this very subject - application virtualization. In the article, he attempts to compare Microsoft SoftGrid, Altiris SVS and Citrix Streaming Server.

In it, he writes:

What is Application Virtualisation? By using application virtualisation, you can use Windows applications without having to change anything in the local operating system, let alone install application software at the workstation. In other words: the application is executed, stores data and prints as if it has been installed locally, without having to modify the local client. Sources such as the CPU, memory, hard disks, and network cards are used for the execution of the application.
Why application virtualisation?

Applications will no longer have to be installed on the clients

Conflicts between applications are a thing of the past

It eliminates the need for regression testing

It is possible to use different versions of applications simultaneously

Support for Web, Client-Server and Server Based Computing applications

Consolidation of Terminal Servers, more different applications possible

Fast roll-out and upgrade of applications

Each application virtualisation solution will try to realise what has been mentioned above in a different way. To be able to choose the right solution it is necessary to have an in-depth knowledge of it.

There are three developers of serious application virtualisation software that are already supplying this software or will be supplying it in the near future:

Citrix Streaming Server (a.k.a. project Tarpon)

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS)

Microsoft Softricity (SoftGrid and ZeroTouch)

For each solution, the article will clearly explain:

The essence of the solution

Applicability

Architecture

Strong and weak points

Licensing

If you are seriously interested in application virtualization, I recommend you check out the entire article.

You can read the entire article, here.

Posted by David Marshall on December 3, 2006 05:46 PM

October 04, 2006 | Comments: (0)

AppStream Optimizes Technology with Altiris

Altiris announced that AppStream has joined the Altiris Developer Program, and that AppStream has optimized its technology to be compatible with Altiris' Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) technology. The combination of the two technologies delivers virtualized, on-demand application delivery and management.

Combining the technologies of both companies in this manner could prove to be an intelligent move to counter the anticipated release of Microsoft's product from the Softricity acquisition.

Altiris SVS eliminates conflicts between applications but does not alter the Windows installation. AppStream's technology provides efficient and flexible streaming to deliver on-demand applications to the desktop. The combination of the two provides IT organizations:

Increased control of software environments

More efficient service with true on-demand application delivery and software repair

Flexibility to quickly move users and applications between computers

Reduced software license costs

Reduced testing and help desk costs through conflict-free software operations

If you aren't familiar with the technology, some of the benefits of software virtualization and streaming include:

Elimination of software conflicts

Instantaneous software repair

Application migration in days versus months

Desktop lockdown with maintained end-user productivity

Efficient software license control

AppStream 5.1 provides an on-demand delivery platform for SVS software. Integration between AppStream and SVS technologies provides the latest method to track, monitor and restrict applications from a central location. In addition, software license agreement compliance can now be automated. This integration also simplifies and streamlines patch and software update delivery for IT organizations while making the process seamless for end users.

The Altiris service-oriented management architecture is open for development by Altiris Developer Program partners. AppStream is one of the first to leverage open Altiris APIs to optimize AppStream 5.1 for compatibility with Altiris SVS software.

Posted by David Marshall on October 4, 2006 04:37 PM

October 04, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Ardence Releases Version 4.0 of its Software Streaming Platform

Ardence Inc. announced the release of version 4.0 of its Ardence Software Streaming Platform, which offers improvements in the product's manageability, scalability and reliability.

The company believes that two product enhancements in particular, Common Image functionality and a comprehensive architectural redesign of the platform, will make it easier for customers to transition from their current Windows operating system to Windows Vista once it becomes available.

Richard J. Davis, Ardence Chairman, CEO and President, said that the company has been listening to their customers and channel partners requests for additional scalability in the product. "We've delivered that scalability with this latest version", Davis said. "Also, in their ongoing drive to manage as few images as possible, customers wanted the ability to stream an identical operating system/application image on-demand from the network to desktops and servers, irrespective of any hardware differences. With Common Image that breakthrough capability is now possible," he added.

Significant Ardence 4.0 enhancements include:

Ardence 4.0's Common-Image functionality enables additional reductions in the number of operating system and application images customers need to maintain and manage. In earlier versions, Ardence's software-streaming capabilities enabled on-demand delivery of an identical OS/application image to multiple desktops from networked storage. However, until the release of 4.0, the number of identical images that IT departments had to maintain was dependent on the hardware the image was being streamed to. The more disparate the hardware, the more images that were required. With 4.0's Common Image, Ardence can stream an identical OS/application image to computers with different network interface cards (NICs), different chipsets and different audio and video cards.

Ardence 4.0's architectural redesign has enabled increased scalability by taking advantage of technology advances in storage, in processors, in network interface cards (NICs), and in Gig-E networks that enable streamlined process communication by combining multiple processes into one integrated service. This results in less overhead and faster throughput.

The redesign also allows better utilization of higher-powered, multi-processor servers by changing from a single-threaded to a multi-threaded architecture. Additionally, that 4.0 system administration has been revamped and the user interface has been redesigned to be more intuitive - features that make it easier to manage clients in the network.

Posted by David Marshall on October 4, 2006 04:15 PM

September 20, 2006 | Comments: (0)

GreenBorder Pro Secures Firefox

After releasing its product sometime ago for Internet Explorer users, GreenBorder Technologies, Inc. announced it was adding support for the Firefox web browsing software by introducing a new release of its GreenBorder Pro product. The product is a patented technology that combines highly efficient session virtualization with strong security, creating what the company calls an "impenetrable protective barrier that keeps all interactions with a website and its associated content or programs away from the internal parts of the PC as well as the user's drives and files."

In today's world of phishing, hacking, and identity theft, people are often afraid to surf the Web or read their email. Many have started creating virtual machines on their desktops or laptops only to use them for checking email or Web browsing.

GreenBorder hopes to eliminate that fear. It makes user's personal files, data, and PC internals invisible to the Web. It also protects personal information from identity theft by securing data that users enter online while shopping, paying bills, and doing online banking. It even keeps the machine running fast by preventing trash build-up from Java applets, temp files, and other Web junk that usually slows the machine down. And it keeps malicious code encountered online or embedded in downloaded content from silently installing on the machine. Its "set and forget" protection is automatic and doesn't need to be constantly updated with new signature files like an anti-virus solution to keep the system safe.

Sounds too good to be true? In March of 2005, GreenBorder hired independent security assessment firm, KeyLabs, to help validate the company's solution by subjecting their product through a battery of tests which included spyware, worms, viruses, custom-crafted exploits, and other forms of malware through both the browser and email. The report stated that all threats were uniformly contained by GreenBorder and unable to damage system integrity.

"We compared the machines protected by GreenBorder to those without GreenBorder after exposure to a broad spectrum of real-world threats delivered through both IE and Outlook," said Eric Bowden, chief technical officer at KeyLabs. "While the unprotected systems quickly became unusable, those protected by GreenBorder continued to function, allowing full access to Internet resources. In addition, when the testing was over, GreenBorder automatically eliminated all code, files, and cookies that had been silently dropped onto the machine, returning it to a clean state, maintaining perfect system integrity. GreenBorder's design and implementation gives it a marked advantage over traditional enterprise-class anti-malware products."

So it appears as though there is another option to secure and safe Web browsing other than creating and running a "web surfing" virtual appliance.

GreenBorder Pro 2.9.2 with support for Firefox and Internet Explorer runs on Windows XP and Windows 2000 systems. A free 30-day trial can be downloaded from the company's Web site at a special introductory price of $29.95 per year per PC.

Posted by David Marshall on September 20, 2006 06:32 PM

September 05, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Envizions Game Subscriptions to Be Powered by Stream Theory

According to their press release, Stream Theory, Inc., today announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Envizions Computer Entertainment Corporation. Using the company's StreamFlow broadband delivery platform, Envizions will make available to purchasers of EVO: Phase One, the company's media entertainment unit, a wide variety of monthly game subscriptions for unlimited play. EVO is a history-making media center hybrid that, when launched in October, will blur the lines between PC and game consoles.

"Envizions is pleased to be working with Stream Theory to provide monthly game subscriptions for the EVO: Phase One media entertainment unit," stated Derrick Samuels, Envizions CEO and Founder. "Our customers will enjoy the flexibility of playing a wide variety of classic and new games each month."

"Envizions is a dynamic young company and it is an honor to be chosen as its platform for delivering game subscriptions to its customers," commented Steig Westerberg, CEO of Stream Theory. "With hundreds of game titles under license and a user-friendly way of delivering them to EVO: Phase One customers, I am confident Stream Theory will be a valuable partner that Envizions can rely on to help satisfy its customers and generate additional revenue."

Traditional online delivery methods require complete download, installation on end user computers, and costly one-on-one updates and support. However, the Stream Theory virtualized software delivery platform enables businesses to run applications as a network service. Streamed software is delivered to and updated in a secluded environment guaranteeing the integrity of the operating system and all the applications. Stream Theory helps support the rapidly rising practice of providing software as a service to businesses and game/software/digital media subscriptions to online consumers.

For more information, visit the Stream Theory Web site.

Posted by David Marshall on September 5, 2006 08:41 PM

August 31, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Stream Theory Awarded Another Streaming Software Patent

According to the latest press release from Stream Theory, it appears as though the company has been granted yet another patent centered on the hot technology of streaming applications.

Stream Theory, Inc., a leading developer of patented virtualized software delivery and digital rights management solutions, today announced it has been awarded U.S. Patent number 7,096,253 for "Method and Apparatus for Streaming Software." The patent, which covers core technology related to streaming remotely located software programs and data to a local computer, underpins the Company's worldwide leadership role in virtualized software delivery.
"This new patent, now added to our growing patent portfolio, firmly positions Stream Theory as a focused technology company and leading developer of a virtualized software delivery platform for the Internet and other high-speed networks," commented Steig Westerberg, CEO of Stream Theory. "Our versatile platform supports the goals of the business world to deliver on-demand software with instant worldwide deployment, centralized updating, measured usage, but without impacting operating systems.

Traditional online delivery methods require complete download, installation on end user computers, and costly one-on-one updates and support. However the Stream Theory virtualized software delivery platform enables businesses to run applications as a network service. Streamed software is delivered to and updated in a secluded environment guaranteeing the integrity of the operating system and all the applications. This new patent granted to Stream Theory helps support the rapidly rising practice of providing software as a service for businesses and game/software/digital media subscriptions and try-before-you-buy for online consumers.

Until this announcement, Stream Theory has been somewhat quiet since it dropped the bomb shell news back in May of this year that the company was filing a lawsuit against Softricity, AppStream and Exent, claiming the three companies were infringing on its patents. The lawsuit was filed just about the same time that Microsoft announced its intentions of acquiring Softricity.

Posted by David Marshall on August 31, 2006 05:28 AM

August 09, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Research Report Highlights Ardence Approach to Virtualization

Ardence announced that industry analyst firm Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) has praised Ardence's Software-Streaming Platform in a non-commissioned report that reviews current industry perspectives on virtualization. The EMA report, "Virtualization: Exposing the Intangible Enterprise," cites Ardence's approach as one that is creating a new paradigm for dynamic, cost-effective software deployment.

Virtualization - the technique of managing systems and resources functionally, regardless of their physical layout or location - represents a powerful breakthrough in IT efficiency, responsiveness and agility. In the report, Andi Mann, senior analyst at EMA, states, "The Ardence Software-Streaming Platform delivers the right host operating system, virtual machines and applications to the right computer, to do the right job at the right time. The streaming approach is creating a new paradigm for dynamic, cost-effective software deployment. Using Ardence's software-streaming technology, IT can instantly deliver a completely provisioned x86-based computer - desktop, server, or device - with a Microsoft Windows OS or Linux OS from bare metal to production in seconds."

The report goes on to state that "unlike most other vendors in the virtualization arena, Ardence provides a full provisioning capability from bare metal to applications and data. This differs from pure-play server, operating system, and application virtualization by providing a complete package that can be booted from the network to completely provision an operating environment."

The Ardence Software-Streaming Platform delivers the host environment and any virtual software - operating system or application - on-demand from network storage and thus turns the computer into an appliance. This eliminates the need to pre-load and test host OS software, virtualization software or application software. The PC has absolutely no software, no OS or application loaded. It plugs on the network and when it is powered up, it gets the right software to do the right job at the right time.

"Virtualization is becoming increasingly important in the enterprise because it provides organizations with the ability to deliver the right software to the right place as it is needed - increasing business agility and IT productivity," said Richard J. Davis, Chairman, President and CEO of Ardence, Inc. "Industry experts and customers are coming to the same conclusion - the Ardence Software-Streaming Platform provides breakthrough virtualization capabilities and value."

A copy of the report is available for download.

In this independent 126-page report, EMA presents the results of extensive research, including broad survey data and personal interviews with enterprises and vendors. It analyzes the state of virtualization, with a specific focus on the current and future market, business drivers, benefits, and challenges of managing a virtual environment. Topics covered include why enterprises are deploying virtualization, how they can gain specific benefits from these technologies, how they should addresses business goals, and the challenges they face when adopting and managing virtualized environments. The primary research also includes data on market penetration, implementation plans, key decision drivers, and expectations. In addition, this report reviews 30 of the main vendors and solutions in this space.

Posted by David Marshall on August 9, 2006 07:29 PM

August 05, 2006 | Comments: (0)

AppStream 5.0 Streaming Solution Unveiled

AppStream recently announced the availability of its latest solution, AppStream 5.0, a new release of its application streaming software that allows any Windows application to be distributed or "streamed" from a server to a PC. The application can then be executed by the end user without requiring the application to be installed on the local PC. The technique is known as application streaming, and it delivers application bits on demand while ensuring the application behaves just as if it were installed using conventional methods.

AppStream 5.0 is designed to help organizations reduce IT costs and labor associated with installing software manually on desktops. The application also makes it possible to instantly distribute software like Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft Office. In addition, AppStream can serve as an automated license management platform to help enforce license compliance issues, and to help IT administrators protect against software piracy.

With the release of version 5.0, AppStream adds other key features, such as:

Optional Virtualization: offers virtualization as an option to those customers that require it through solutions from best-of-breed vendors like Thinstall

Performance Enhancements: provides streaming performance enhancements of up to 40% on first use of all packaged applications, with particular improvements for MSI packages

Interoperability and Compatibility: applications streamed with AppStream 5.0 are fully interoperable with other desktop applications and behave as if they were installed using conventional methods

Simplified Packaging: streamlines and speeds up the application packaging process by making greater use of default settings; and now includes full support of existing MSI packages

Population of Icons: adds icons of each application onto the user's desktop to further promote transparency of streaming technology and alert user of newly provisioned applications. This is particularly beneficial for remote software access and removes the need to log onto a site each time software access is needed

Administration Features: new reporting capabilities and heightened control features help IT departments better understand user needs, usage patterns and take appropriate action quickly and more efficiently. Usage tracking and reporting can take place on a granular level

Unicode Compliance: AppStream now supports distribution of applications to Non-English speaking countries.

AppStream 5.0 is available immediately at the list price of $75.00 per seat.

Posted by David Marshall on August 5, 2006 07:49 AM

July 30, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Altiris Opens API - Trinket Goes Open Source

Once Altiris announced the release of its new software development kit which contained the Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) API, it would only be a matter of time before IT organizations would use it to leverage the flexibility of SVS and further optimize application management.

When Altiris SVS was still in beta last fall, LordJeb Software used the API to create a new user interface for SVS called Trinket. Trinket provides SVS end users with basic management of virtualized applications including reset, activation, deactivation, and delete through an easy-to-use interface available from an icon in the PC system tray. It even allows you to control which layer actions are made available in the UI.

Dwain Kinghorn, Altiris CTO, said, "We've seen an explosion of unique uses and applications for Altiris Software Virtualization Solution technology. To encourage innovation we have given the IT and developer communities the tools and code they need to create the next killer software virtualization application. Altiris open, standards-based technology allows us to provide this type of flexibility to the user community. The Trinket open source project is a good example of what is possible."

Now LordJeb Software has posted the Trinket project on SourceForge.net, turning the application into an open-source project under a BSD-style license. Developers can add code and new ideas to the project by simply downloading Trinket code from SourceForge.

Posted by David Marshall on July 30, 2006 08:25 PM

July 18, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Altiris SVS Software Developer Kit Available

If you are currently using Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) but wanted to go that extra mile and do "just a little more" with the product, perhaps you should look into using the newly released Altiris SVS Software Developer Kit (SDK). The SDK is quite useful, and best of all, free!

According to the Altiris enthusiasts site, Juice, the SVS SDK provides API level access to the full SVS system. The SDK has been used and thoroughly tested both internally as well as by serveral third parties. It contains C header files, a lib file, full documentation, and sample code.

They list seven steps to getting started with the product:

Register for the SDK on Altiris. Once you register, you will get an e-mail notifying that you registered. Then you must wait for approval. This will be followed by another e-mail.

Once approved, go back to Altiris' Web site and login with your new username.

Select from the menus along the top: Registered User -> Software Virtualization SDK

Select the "Download" link to download the zip file.

Extract the zip file.

Make sure you have .NET 2.0 already installed on your system. If not, download it here.

Launch ACME.exe to install the SDK

Keep in mind, the SDK license prohibits the redistribution of derivative works. That means you are free to use what you have created for yourself or within your organization, but you cannot give it to anyone externally. If you want to develop an application for commercial purposes, please contact the SVS product team.

Thanks to the Juicemaster for sharing this information!

Posted by David Marshall on July 18, 2006 03:39 PM

June 22, 2006 | Comments: (0)

AppStream - They've Got Patents Too

It was only a few days ago that we talked about application virtualization patents exploding on the scene. My head was spinning at the rate press releases were hitting the wire shouting "we've been granted a patent", "we're filing a lawsuit and an injunction", or even "we invented application streaming". Silly me, I thought the big news in the application virtualization space was going to be the Softricity acquisition by Microsoft... guess I was wrong. And I guess Microsoft forgot to tell Stream Theory, AppStream, and Mobile Agent Technologies, because they have each been more vocal since the Softricity announcement causing it to become slightly overshadowed.

This time, it's AppStream who proudly steps up to the microphone to announce that it too has been granted a new patent.

According to the company's press release, AppStream announced that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office recently issued the company a new patent on portions of its innovative application streaming technology.

The patent covers a method for "network streaming of multi-application program code" which is the fourth patent granted to AppStream related to application streaming technology, in addition to several other patents pending.

"This patent further secures our leadership role in providing new ways to deliver applications on demand," said Srinivasa "Venky" Venkataraman, chief operating officer of AppStream. "Software asset management continues to challenge even the most adept IT organizations. Companies need new and better ways to know where their software assets are, and dynamically control who's using them. With AppStream application streaming our customers get centralized access control, on-demand access, and dynamic licensing and entitlement provisioning. This enables businesses to get the full value of their software investment while reducing potential liability and overhead."

Patented and patent-pending AppStream technology will be released this month in the latest beta version of AppStream Technology Windows Edition, version 5.0.

Posted by David Marshall on June 22, 2006 07:51 PM

June 19, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Application Virtualization Patents Explode on the Scene

As the virtualization technology sector continues to evolve hardware virtualization and application virtualization techniques and innovations, it's interesting to watch the patent play that is happening around us. One of the first players to jump into the patent infringement game was Stream Theory, defending its patent claims over streaming applications by filing lawsuits against Softricity, AppStream and Exent. This explosion happened shortly after Microsoft dropped a bomb of its own, announcing its acquisition plans of Softricity.

Now, Mobile Agent Technologies is blasting a PR announcement of its own stating that it too has been granted a patent for application virtualization techniques.

As someone extremely interested in this somewhat infant market, I can only hope that innovation in this promising area continues to thrive and that it doesn't get stifled by courtroom drama.

Quoting from the official press release:

Mobile Agent Technologies announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has given final approval to their industry changing invention for relocating a running software process from one machine to another, completely intact, without any disruption in execution. The technology, called Automatic Thread Migration (ATM), provides for a system in which environmental monitoring facilities sense a lack of available computing resources, such as memory, network bandwidth, or CPU cycles, and then autonomously trigger the migration of the software process to a secondary host. At the same time components located on a tertiary machine, either in the same data center, or across the globe, maintain the execution stack trace and state of the program, and facilitate restarting the process exactly at the point at which it left off, prior to it's relocation to the secondary host. The migration is seamless and transparent to the application. This fault tolerant technology when fully implemented will eliminate an organization's need for backup data centers.
Mobile Agent Technologies has also announced the availability of an early access version of AgentOS, an agent based operating system. AgentOS represents the convergence of three current trends in the computing industry. The first being application virtualization, the second grid computing, and the last, service oriented architecture (SOA). Significantly improving upon the technical design of first generation corporate computing grids, AgentOS is based upon a zero middleware architecture. This eliminates the intermediary tier most commonly found in today's enterprise application infrastructures. Unlike existing application virtualization technologies whose approach to process migration is operating system dependent, AgentOS is agnostic in this respect, and can work in mixed heterogeneous environments consisting of both Windows, Unix and Linux machines. In regards to SOA, AgentOS supports the creation of reusable software building blocks which can be dynamically assembled, and then reassembled, into robust enterprise applications. An object oriented, agent based component model, allows business logic to be more easily adapted and reused, as compared to alternative development tools such as web services.

Mobile Agent Technologies has instituted an early access program for companies who would immediately like to take advantage of the significant cost savings provided by AgentOS. In addition, Mobile Agent Technologies is actively seeking business partners, including professional service firms, computer hardware manufacturers, systems integrators, and enterprise software companies. Recommended uses for AgentOS include supply chain management, logistics, compute intensive banking, brokerage, and human resource applications, risk management, insurance underwriting, computer gaming, business intelligence, and simulations.

Posted by David Marshall on June 19, 2006 07:02 PM

June 17, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 SP1 Available

Altiris has announced the release of its first service pack for Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) 2.0 - the company's application virtualization product.

The service pack includes several bug fixes, including the Novell Client fix released as a hot fix for SVS 2.0. In addition to the bug fixes announced, the service pack also includes two new features:

Support for new WISE Package Studio tools - Altiris Wise Package Studio 7 includes new tools that support packaging and editing Virtual Software Packages. APIs have been added to support these tools.

OnEvent actions support - VSA files can now include files that can be called by OnEvent actions, such as OnPreActivate, OnPostActivate, and so forth.

In addition to the new features and bug fixes, the development team has also provided new complete install files with SP1 pre-applied. They also added an agent install executable that correctly upgrades existing SVS client installations.

The updated version can be downloaded, here. And to read the documented Release Notes for the service pack, go here.

Posted by David Marshall on June 17, 2006 06:21 PM

June 14, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Gestio Virtual Infrastructure Protection for Microsoft Virtual Server

AK Computer Services Ltd. announced that it has released Gestio Virtual Infrastructure Protection for Microsoft Virtual Server (VIP for MSVS), a module which allows you to use NetIQ AppManager to monitor the performance and availability of Microsoft Virtual Infrastructure and Virtual Machines.

According to their press release:

Following the success of our AppManager module for VMware[,] AK Computer Services has now launched Gestio VIP for Microsoft Virtual Server. Gestio VIP for MSVS allows you to monitor all aspects of Microsoft Virtual Server and its associated Virtual Machines using NetIQ AppManager. Gestio VIP for MSVS monitors and protects a Microsoft Virtual Infrastructure using your production systems management application. This enables you to apply the same levels of control, escalation, reporting and service level agreements (SLA's) to your virtual infrastructure as you apply to your production infrastructure, allowing you to confidently use Microsoft Virtual Infrastructure for production scale applications.
Server virtualization allows customers to improve the efficiency and utilization of large Windows systems by host[ing] multiple 'Virtual Servers' on a physical system. Using Server virtualization, business[es] can reduce the number of servers they have to maintain within a data center. Such a reduction of systems allows organizations to reduce the power and air conditioning requirements within the data center. Business are virtualizing whole data centers and need to ensure that, not only are they monitoring the Applications they have traditionally been monitoring but, they are monitoring the "Virtual Infrastructure" as well. The Gestio Virtual Infrastructure Protection modules for AppManager allow you to do just this.

Gestio VIP for MSVS includes comprehensive reporting in addition to the monitoring and alerting capabilities. Now not only can you be alerted about changes to the infrastructure, but you can get information to help you decide on the best location for a new VM. Using AppManager and Gestio Modules you can now monitor and visualize both VMware and Microsoft Virtual Infrastructures within a single business view, providing you with the only comprehensive Systems Management Solution for the monitoring and management of Virtualized servers.

Pricing and Availability
The suggested list price for VIP for Microsoft Virtual Server is $2,500 per Virtual Server. You can purchase Gestio VIP for MSVS direct from AK Computer Services in the UK or via our worldwide Channel partner network.

For more information about AKCSL, visit www.akcsl.com or for specifics on the Gestio modules go to www.gestio.co.uk

Posted by David Marshall on June 14, 2006 05:01 PM

June 14, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Ecora Software Releases Configuration Management Solution for VMware

According to Ecora Software's press release, the company released a suite of configuration management solutions for VMware ESX Servers that provide substantial time and resource savings by simplifying virtual infrastructure management and mitigating security risks.

The software suite includes Ecora Documentor for VMware, a free application that installs and operates on a single workstation and collects hundreds of configuration settings from VMware servers which in turn produces comprehensive, audit-ready documentation. They offer an upgrade package, Ecora Reporter, which provides additional functionality by offering dozens of ready-made report templates for fast and easy analysis of critical configuration data. A third product, Ecora Auditor for VMware, provides IT staff with the ability to customize reports, as well as automatically track configuration changes that are made.

Ecora Reporter and Auditor for VMware come loaded with 28 ready-made report templates that include the following:

ESX security settings

Virtual machine permissions

VMFS files

VMFS volumes

ESX and GSX host overview

Virtual machine summary

Physical NIC and virtual switches

Linux local users and groups, and many more.

Ecora's Documentor for VMware is available for free at www.ecora.com. The Web site also offers free trials of Ecora Reporter and Auditor for VMware.

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