To Virtualize Applications or Not to Virtualize: That is the Question! Presented by: Bryan Ray, IT Applications Supervisor DLA Piper US LLP Justin Martin, Systems Engineer Symantec Introduction to application virtualization Justin Martin, Systems Engineer, Symantec What is virtualization? the process of presenting a logical grouping of computing resources so that they can be accessed in ways that give benefits over the original configuration. - Wikipedia.com 1
Evolution of the market space Application OS/System Disk Processor Application virtualization Turning chaos into order Traditional Environment SVS Environment Application A Applic cation B Applic cation C App D App E Application A Applicatio on B Application C Ap pp D SVS Filter & Streaming Driver App p E Operating System Operating System More ex Smart efficient chaos stability. ordo IT spend What exactly does this do for me? The PC Cable Box philosophy My personal information world The massive corporate migration and refresh The consistently corrupting app Th b i iti l The business critical app The expensive app The I need it now for a day app The not so much used, but Oh do I need it app The degenerating operating system The experimental pilot program The multiple version application dilemma How about some License Compliance! 2
Software management for flexible computing Software management issues quantified Companies citing upgrades, conversions, installations as top reason for an increase in help desk calls: Incidents handled monthly by the average help desk: Help desk requests to address proprietary application issues: Organizations that provide self-healing tools for end user self-service: Average fully-burdened cost for phone incident: Average fully-burdened cost for self-service incident: 75% 7,325 20.6% 15.1% $24.08 $12.33 Source: Help Desk Institute Practices & Salary Survey 2006 Filter Driver 3
How streaming works User authentication Minimum bits required for UI Local execution How streaming works Stream new functionality as needed On-line use <100% Off-line use 100% How streaming works Intelligent streaming Optimal performance Central management 4
True global scalability and WAN optimization Tier 1 (Root) Tier 2 Tier 3 Clients Use case Dynamic IT environment Constant change and the need to frequently reconfigure PC s quickly Customers wants maximum speed and reliability of software delivery, with minimum cost Example A Multi-user user PC s/roaming users Health care provider with PC s that are shared by multiple workers, from triage nurses and financial counselors to phlebotomists and surgeons, some of which also have home machines Example B Frequent new apps and updates Financial traders use a large number of apps, frequently add apps (sometimes for one-time use); many of the apps are updated daily Use case Legacy app retention Examples: Highly customized applications In-house developed ( home grown ) applications Expensive vertical-specific applications Vendor out of business Legacy applications are expensive to replace Old code usually runs on new hardware/os, but often conflicts with newer applications and OS components or dependencies that the app has (old Access, Excel, etc.) cause conflicts requires elevated privileges to run (App Control!) With SVS: Upgrade to new hardware, OS and applications w/o conflicts Extend lifetime of legacy applications Avoid cost of replacement apps 5
Key philosophical points Embrace and extend native Windows architecture SVS uses the MS-provided filter driver framework, which works with NTFS and/or FAT underneath SVS streaming support MSI directly, the standard MS packaging format Windows API s, services, COM/DCOM, user profiles, permissions and group policies all function normally 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 Streaming uses HTTP, making it Internet and MSP/SaaS-ready General-purpose design virtualization and/or streaming of any software, including apps, data and (ultimately) patches Normal end user experience does not alter the end user experience or the performance or behavior of applications Containment that s clear Symantec Competing Products Applying application virtualization to your environment Bryan Ray, IT Applications Supervisor, DLA Piper US LLP 6
Where have I seen this before? First use of virtualization: Windows NT (INIfilemappings) Windows 3.1 support Windows Vista - Legacy app compatibility Virus scanning software (file redirection) Benefits Applications no longer installed in traditional method. No reboots, user downtime or special credentials required Application conflicts no longer an issue Application isolation allows for more stringent OS security. Currently used at the DOD Desktop images simplified Fast app delivery and deployment Significantly less build and QA time What can it do Instant deployment / Instant removal OS protection Silo incompatible applications (2 versions of the same app) No requirement for admin to install or run Application reset Allow apps to run that have incompatible requirements Preflight testing 7
What it can t do Software must be repackaged 16 bit apps OS Service Packs, OS Patches Hardware dependent software (Drivers) Complex integrations Security software: Virus protection, Firewalls, VPN. Real life examples DepoPrep and Flash OpenOffice and ODF conversion CaseSoft Suite versions 5 and 7 GetIPDL So Why don t I have this already? Backend infrastructure required Repackaging skills required Current environment not virtualized and you have no plans to reinvent the wheel Technology is still evolving 8
I m all set Now I need to pick my apps Core Apps vs. Specialty Apps Simplify your images Software used by 80% of user population. p Repackaging requirement Is this an EXE? Install requirement Reboot? Admin install? Time? Integration Relies on another program or integrates into a program Q&A 9