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Application Virtualization with
VMware ThinApp
Aaron Blasius
ThinApp Specialist – Western Territory
ablasius@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 usermode 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 Delivery
Application Compatibility without Conflicts
Applications Accessed Anywhere
Reduced compatibility testing
Reduce image size and complexity
Deploy Multiple Versions Simultaneously
Access applications based on user needs
Simplified application troubleshooting
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’
Knowledge
workers
= Blade PC
Access
Anywhere
Task workers /
plant workers = VDI
Application Sync
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)
HTTP/HTTPS Byte Level Updates over
WAN/LAN via Active Directory
Application Link
Enhance License Management
Reduces package size to ease
deployment & delivery
Enhances software license
management tracking via
current 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
1
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
2
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
1) Slight Variation from current sales model of Thinstall
Application Virtualization Comparison
Company
Product
VMware ThinApp
MAV
SVS
(a.k.a. “SoftGrid”)
* 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?
Yes
No. 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. Isolation
Per-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
Yes
No - Requires Softricity
server
No - Requires
AppStream server
No - Requires Citrix
server
Management Solution
Integration SMS, LANDesk,
Altiris etc?
Yes-All
Partially- Only SMS
Partially-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, XPEmbedded, WIN2003,
Vista, Terminal
Server, and Citrix
2k, 2k3,XP,Vista, TS
2k, 2k3,XP,Vista
XP, 2k, 2k3,Vista
No TS support
No TS support
Product Comparison - VMware ThinApp vs. Citrix XenApp
Company
Product
XenApp Published Desktop3
Delivery Based Context:1
LAN, WAN
Delivery Based Context:1
LAN, WAN
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 Support
Win98, 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
Zero
Footprint
Execution
4.
XenApp Published Applications3
Execution Based Context:1
LAN, WAN (not recommended), USB
and local system
Streaming
Applications
1.
2.
3.
ThinApp 4.x
ThinApp Application Streaming is an application execution mechanism whereas Citrix Application Streaming is an application delivery mechanism
Many ThinApp customers use ThinApp for Application Isolation on Citrix XenApp/Presentation Servers
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.
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