Novell ZENworks Application VIrtualization
Encyclopedia
Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization is an application virtualization
and portable application creation console by Novell
that allows a user to build applications that run like an executable file.
The technology also supports application streaming
, a form of on-demand application distribution. This type of application streaming uses a predictive algorithm that maps common user behavior in applications to anticipate what portions of application code should be sent first, based upon changing user behavior, in an effort to improve performance.
Users can then define other application behavior, such as setting an application to expire on a certain date, or to make the application run on a portable storage device (USB drive).
Application Virtualization
Application virtualization is an umbrella term that describes software technologies that improve portability, manageability and compatibility of applications by encapsulating them from the underlying operating system on which they are executed. A fully virtualized application is not installed in...
and portable application creation console by Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
that allows a user to build applications that run like an executable file.
History
ZENworks Application Virtualization was first made available on September 2, 2008. Since its initial release, it has undergone additional major releases, including versions 6.x, 7.x and the current version 8.x.Architecture & Technology
ZENworks Application Virtualization is an application virtualization solution that allows users to build highly portable virtual Windows applications that run like common executable files. Virtual applications are self-contained and include an isolated sandbox that interfaces with the operating system registry indirectly. Virtualized applications run without an agent/server architecture and without a local client install.The technology also supports application streaming
Application Streaming
Computer application streaming is a form of on-demand software distribution.The basic concept of application streaming has its foundation in the way modern computer programming languages and operating systems produce and run application code. Only specific parts of a computer program need to be...
, a form of on-demand application distribution. This type of application streaming uses a predictive algorithm that maps common user behavior in applications to anticipate what portions of application code should be sent first, based upon changing user behavior, in an effort to improve performance.
Building virtual applications
The process for creating a virtual application with ZENworks Application Virtualization follows one of three paths:- Auto-configured applications: Use wizards to build pre-configured applications. Included applications are limited to popular or common applications.
- Snap-Shot: Take "snapshots" of an example system's state before and after the target application is installed.
- Manual configuration: Manually configure the registry, sandbox, and other portions of the target application. This approach typically requires an experienced programmer.
Users can then define other application behavior, such as setting an application to expire on a certain date, or to make the application run on a portable storage device (USB drive).
Limitations
- Windows only applications: ZENworks Application Virtualization is limited to the Windows operating system for both building and running virtualized applications.
- Does not always fix compatibility: ZENworks Application Virtualization can address application compatibility problems in some cases, but should not be used as a primary means to solving operating system compatibility.
See also
- Application StreamingApplication StreamingComputer application streaming is a form of on-demand software distribution.The basic concept of application streaming has its foundation in the way modern computer programming languages and operating systems produce and run application code. Only specific parts of a computer program need to be...
- Portable application creatorsPortable application creatorsPortable application creators allow the creation of portable applications . They usually use application virtualization.- Creators of independent portable applications :...
- VMware ThinAppVMware ThinAppVMware ThinApp is an application virtualization and portable application creator suite by VMware that can package conventional applications so that they become portable applications...
- Microsoft Application VirtualizationMicrosoft Application VirtualizationMicrosoft Application Virtualization is an application virtualization and application streaming solution from Microsoft. It was acquired by Microsoft during the acquisition of Boston, Massachusetts-based Softricity on July 17, 2006...