Software Virtualization Solution

Software Management Simplified.

April 19, 2023

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Imagine a world where…

…broken software can be fixed with the push

of a button, or even automatically

…deploying a patch is no longer scarier than the virus

it’s intended to stop

…software conflicts no longer exist

…the desktop is completely “locked down” from security

threats, but the users still have their freedom

…a user sits down at any PC and instantly has all her

applications and data available

…major software upgrades are rolled out in days rather than

months

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Software Management Issues

Provisioning apps can be disruptive to end users

Software conflicts result in downtime

and help desk costs

Application problems are difficult to fix

Major upgrades require significant planning, testing &

disruption

Uninstall can damage other apps

Time and effort to detect and resolve SW conflicts

Legacy applications expensive to replace

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Software Management Issues Quantified

Source: Help Desk Institute Practices Survey 2004

$12.10Average fully-burdened cost for self-service incident:

$31.70Average fully-burdened cost for phone incident:

8.6%% of organizations that provide self-healing tools for end user self-service:

35.4%% of incidents caused by application problems:

7,561# of incidents handled monthly by the average help desk:

78.2%% of companies citing “upgrades, conversions, installations” among top reasons for an increase in help desk calls:

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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

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Virtualization Up and Down the Stack

Processor

Computer

System

Disk

File System(Software)

Application

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What is Software Virtualization Solution?

SVS is a new way to run applications that allows you to:

• Instantly Activate applications • Instantly Deactivate applications • Instantly Reset applications • Avoid conflicts between applications

Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) provides for faster, simpler and more manageable deployment of desktop applications.

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What is SVS? (cont.)

• Complements the existing Altiris catalog• Leverages the Altiris Extensible Management

Architecture– However, SVS can be managed via any framework!

• Included in Client Management Suite Level 2– Also available standalone!

• Based on patents-pending core technology• SVS will ship in Q1 of 2006• Will be available free for personal use

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Press for SVS

“Altiris' Software Virtualization Solution could reshape the PC landscape at the IT level…. SVS impressed us enough to share the spotlight with Firefox. And that's saying something.”

“Everything you know about software deployment is about to change, thanks to Altiris’ Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) 2.0…SVS has the potential to rewrite the rules of how software is pushed down to client systems.”

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How Does SVS Solve SW Management Issues?Reduce effort and time for conflict resolution

Minimize disruption to end users; Instant activation;

Baseline maintained

Apps run conflict-free;Problems fixed quickly

and easily

Instant deactivation; No impact on other apps

Extend lifetime of legacy apps

Reduced testing time for major upgrades;

Run both versions side-by-side

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The Life of a Virtual Software Package

1 Repackage to .VSA

Lab PC

2 Deliver to target machine(s)

Production PC

3 Import VSP

6 Reset VSP

7 Deactivate VSP

5User runs appnormally

4 Activate VSP

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A Look Under the Hood

Filter Driver

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Key Points• Negligible system overhead (< 150K filter driver)

• VSP’s are portable between machines and Windows versions

• VSP’s support multiple (non-concurrent) users

• The virtualization technology is invisible to the user, to the applications, and to the operating system

• Applications and data are visible system-wide and execute normally

• All application resources are stored on the client

– No streaming across network

– Users can work remotely

• Integrated with Inventory Solution and Software Portal

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Sublayers

• Sublayers:– Read-only

– Read-write

• Data from a virtualized application may be saved into the read-write sublayer (default), to the base (excludes) or a network drive, or may be written to a separate “data layer”

• An application deployed as a Virtual Software Package will look within it’s own layer first for files and registry entries, then to the base file system (conflict elimination)

© Altiris Inc.

Software Virtualization vs. Application Virtualization

• With software virtualization, applications execute normally– Easier to package and deploy– Apps behave as customers need/expect them to– Apps are visible to all anti-virus, asset/inventory, security audit

scans, etc.– Minimal impact on app supportability

• No separate framework or server infrastructure required– Integrated with Altiris catalog– Can be managed with Microsoft SMS, Tivoli, LANDesk, etc. using

native functionality• Negligible performance overhead with SW virtualization• SW virtualization provides ability to virtualize data and patches

© Altiris Inc.

Future of Altiris Software Virtualization

• Virtualization of OS patches• Package merge• Support for server-based applications• Support for multiple concurrent users (terminal servers)• Ability to patch and upgrade VSP’s• Advanced VSP management features to be delivered in

Wise Package Studio• “Total State Management” or “Virtual Lockdown” with

Protect and SVS

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Altiris Protect

• Enables you to easily maintain the desired state of your PCs

• Allow users to have unique configurations, independent of approved baseline configuration or other user configurations on the system

• Virtualizes the entire user session• “System reset” mode gives option to “throw away”

changes made during the user session on logoff• “Persistent personality” mode preserves changes for

user’s next session

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The Vision: Total State Management

Standard Operating Environment (“Base”)

Managed by Altiris Protect Solution

Operating SystemOS Patches

Conventionally-Installed AppsAgents

Personal Data Shared Data

Applications and Data

Managed by Altiris Software Virtualization

SolutionApp App App App App

App App App App

New Malware

Grayware

Adware

Spyware

“Operator Error”

Trojan

Virus

Corruption Rogue Software

OSPatch

AppPatch

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Software Management – The Big Picture

ConfigurationManagement

Database

DefinitiveSoftwareLibrary

InventorySolution

Wise Package Studio

Software Delivery Solution

Application Management SolutionHelpdesk Solution

Real-time System ManagerCarbon Copy Solution

Patch Management SolutionSoftware Delivery Solution

Software Delivery Solution

Application Metering Solution

WiseSoftware

Repository

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Conclusion• Software Virtualization Solution simplifies software management

– Instant activation and deactivation of applications– Eliminates software conflicts– Instant reset of applications– Eases major version upgrades

• Next steps

1. Estimate software management costs throughout the lifecycle

2. Identify candidates for virtualization

3. Quantify potential savings

4. Contact Altiris sales for detailed demo, proof-of-concept

5. Watch for free-for-personal-use version!

© Altiris Inc.

• In-depth articles to explain the true power of SVS• Tips and Tricks from users like you• Cool Tools and Utilities• Sample Virtual Software Packages• Questions from users, answers from the pros• User-maintained list of applications successfully virtualized with

SVS• Weekly email newsletter to keep you up to date• A constant flow of Juice delivered via RSS• Other Altiris products and technologies to be added later

www.altiris.com/juice