Application Virtualization with

VMware ThinApp

Aaron BlasiusThinApp Specialist – Western Territoryablasius@vmware.com(917) 749 6184

Product Overview

ThinApp is a client-less Application Virtualization solution allowing any Windows application to be packaged, distributed, and executed as a single EXE on a host PC without installation or changes to the local desktop's registry and file system.

Unlike other solutions, Thinstall requires no pre installed software on the client or server. Virtualized applications can run from any device such as Desktop, LAN, WAN, USB Flash, etc. using the existing infrastructure.

Applications virtualized with ThinApp run entirely in user-mode on locked-down PCs with no device drivers installed enabling administrators to maintain a secure, clean, and stable user desktop.

Unique features of ThinApp

Agentless architecture

No compatibility issues with multiple versions

No backend infrastructure requirements

100% User mode execution

Widest platform support

Support for 16, 32 & 64bit windows, 

Windows NT, 2K, XP, Vista, W23K

Citrix PS 4.x and MS Terminal Services

Support for the widest array of applications

Support for wide variety of .NET and Java runtimes

Multiple versions of Internet explorer – run IE 6 & IE 7 on the same machine

Deploy and manage virtual apps with what you have now!

SMS, BMC (Marimba), Altiris, HP, IBM, CA, LANDesk, Bigfix and more…

Benefits of Application Virtualization

Application Isolation Application Compatibility without Conflicts

Reduced compatibility testing

Deploy Multiple Versions Simultaneously

Simplified application troubleshooting

Application Delivery Applications Accessed Anywhere

Reduce image size and complexity

Access applications based on user needs

Improved Migration Readiness (OS & App)

Package once, deploy many

Enables Role based platform provisioning

Enhances productivity, reduces costs & risks

Partners & Contractors USB

Sales & Execs = “Traditional’

Task workers / plant workers = VDI

Knowledge workers = Blade PC

Access Anywhere

Application Sync

HTTP/HTTPS Byte Level Updates over WAN/LAN via Active Directory

Easily update and manage remote virtual apps:

Manage applications in the extended enterprise: Partners, Subsidiaries

Ship only what they need, when they need it

Without Business interruption

Flexible delivery to a variety of devices (USB, Thin Client, PC)

Conflict free application updates for unmanaged PCs (WAN)

Application Link

Enhance License ManagementReduces package size to ease deployment & delivery

Enhances software license management tracking viacurrent inventory tools

Seamless Interoperability

Thinapps can talk to each other & OS

Enables interoperability between virtual applications and underlying OS

VDI & ThinApp Simplify Delivery & Costs

Reduce storage

Reuse templates

Install VM without apps

Simplify Software Delivery (no agents/infrastructure)

Multiple versions of same app installed on VDI image

Many ways to deliver shortcut

Plugs into existing App Mgmt tools w/o infrastructure

Streamline Patch Updates

Modify 1 app for whole environment

In place upgrades

Demo

Why are customers using Application Virtualization ?

Simplify installation and maintenance -1 file to distribute

Eliminate conflicts via application isolation

Deploy faster with less regression testing

Run different versions of the same app.

Package runtime components –Java, .NET w/ application – decouple from OS

Lock down PCs – run apps in User Mode

Consolidate Terminal servers (e.g., Citrix)

Facilitate VDI Initiatives

Smooth Vista Migrations—use apps ordinarily not compatible with Vista

VMware ThinApp (AKA Thinstall) Licensing

ThinApp Suite – 1 per Admin*Complete Package that includes:

1 license of Workstation

1 ThinApp Setup Capture Packager

50 Client Licenses*

Gold (21%) OR Platinum (25%) SnS required and sold separately

1

ThinApp Client Licenses (Additional)Requires at least 1 ThinApp Suite

Per endpoint/user deployed – unlimited

Perpetual license

Gold (21%) OR Platinum (25%) SnS required and sold separately

2

1) Slight Variation from current sales model of Thinstall

Application Virtualization Comparison

Company

Product VMware ThinAppMAV

(a.k.a. “SoftGrid”)SVS * Streaming

Feature

Driverless user-mode only execution?

Yes No No No

Runs on locked-down “kiosk” PCs?

Yes No No No

USB Portable mode? Yes No No No

Supports multiple client versions per machine?

YesNo. Only one version of the Softgrid client can be in installed at a time.

No. Only one version of the SVS client can be in installed at a time.

No. Only one version of the streaming client can be in installed at a time.

Zero footprint execution?

Yes No No No

Requires special per-app install procedures?

No

Yes. Apps must be installed to a separate drive using DOS 8.3 filenames.

No No

Virtualization vs. IsolationPer-Application Virtualization

Per-Application Virtualization

Per-Application, Isolation

Per-Application, Isolation

Comparison Cont’d

Company

Built-in .msi generation Yes Partially-beta No No

COM/DCOM Isolation Yes Yes No No

Service Virtualization Yes Yes No No

IE 6 and IE 7 Virtualization Yes No No No

Native Application Streaming YesNo - Requires Softricity server

No - Requires AppStream server

No - Requires Citrix server

Management Solution Integration SMS, LANDesk, Altiris etc?

Yes-All Partially- Only SMSPartially-Only Altiris Deployment Solution

No

Client & Server Requirements None

Requires SoftGrid client, SoftGrid server, Active Directory, SQL 2000/2005 server

Requires SVS client technology, AppStream servers and client technology

Requires Citrix Streaming client, Citrix servers, Active Directory, SQL 2000/2005 server

OS Support

Supports 98, NT, WIN2000, XP, XP-Embedded, WIN2003, Vista, Terminal Server, and Citrix

2k, 2k3,XP,Vista, TS 2k, 2k3,XP,Vista

No TS support

XP, 2k, 2k3,Vista

No TS support

Product Comparison - VMware ThinApp vs. Citrix XenApp

Company

Product ThinApp 4.x XenApp Published Applications3 XenApp Published Desktop3

Streaming Applications

Execution Based Context:1 LAN, WAN (not recommended), USB and local system

Delivery Based Context:1

LAN, WANDelivery Based Context:1

LAN, WAN

Zero Footprint Execution

No additional infrastructure required

Complete Citrix infrastructure required to publish application(s) such as SQL/Oracle DB, A.D. Group Policies, etc.

Complete Citrix infrastructure required to publish application(s) such as SQL/Oracle DB, A.D. Group Policies, etc.

Isolation Per-Application Virtualization.

Application Isolation Environments (AIE) do not utilize virtualization and are very cumbersome to configure for applications. 2,3,4

Application Isolation Environments (AIE) do not utilize virtualization and are very cumbersome to configure for applications. 2,3,4

Security Active Directory (any version) Active Directory (any version) Active Directory (any version)

OS SupportWin98, NT, 2000, XP (32/64bit), XPe, 2003 (32/64bit), Vista (32/64bit), Terminal Server, and Citrix 2.

Presentation/XenApp Server must be Win Server 200X

Presentation/XenApp Server must be Win Server 200X

Update Application Sync (AppSync)Take XenApp servers offline to upgrade/uninstall old application & install new application. 4

Take XenApp servers offline to upgrade/uninstall old application & install new application. 4

1. ThinApp Application Streaming is an application execution mechanism whereas Citrix Application Streaming is an application delivery mechanism2. Many ThinApp customers use ThinApp for Application Isolation on Citrix XenApp/Presentation Servers3. Citrix Published Apps/Desktop are ONLY presentation and delivery of the application/desktop (NOT virtualization) and require applications be installed directly on XenApp servers whether or

not App Isolation Environment or Citrix Application Streaming technologies are utilized.4. Upgrading or modifying an application on a XenApp server which uses AIE may also require reconfiguration of the AIE.

Questions?

VMware ThinApp Links

•ThinApp Product Homepage http://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp/

•ThinApp Online Manual http://pubs.vmware.com/thinapp4/help/

•ThinApp Communities Forum http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/entdesk/thinapp

•ThinApp Tech Topics Portal http://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp/related-resources.html

•ThinApp Blogs http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/

•ThinApp Demo https://www.vmware.com/tryvmware/login.php?eval=thinapp

•ThinApp Lounge – Live discussions on ThinApp topics, packaging, and general questions http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/entdesk/thinapp/virtuallounge

•ThinApp 3rd Party Links and Tools – (Not sponsored by VMware nor affiliated with VMware in any manner) http://t3chnot3s.blogspot.com/2008/11/thinapp-links-and-3rd-party-utilities.html