Lecture 16 – Application & Desktop Virtualization

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Lecture 16 on resource, application, and desktop virtualization.

Resource Virtualization

The practice of abstracting individual computing resources (memory, storage, CPU, network, etc.) without virtualizing the entire platform.

Benefits of Resource Virtualization

Enables access to non-existent resources, improves provisioning efficiency, and allows multiple devices to share the same physical resources.

Storage Virtualization

Complete abstraction of local storage, often implemented through network shares, RAID arrays, SANs, or NAS devices.

Network Virtualization

Logical separation of network resources—e.g., creating VLANs—to provide flexible, isolated networking environments.

CPU Virtualization

Abstracting and pooling CPU resources, as seen in grid computing or thin-client deployments.

Application Virtualization

Encapsulating an application and its dependencies in a self-contained ‘bubble’ that runs independently of the host operating system.

Application Bubble

The virtual environment containing an app’s files, registry keys, and settings; created for execution and deleted afterward.

Agentless Application Virtualization

A solution (e.g., VMware ThinApp) that delivers virtualized apps without requiring client-side software agents.

Application Virtualization Benefits

Runs apps in hostile environments, prevents software conflicts, safeguards the OS, enforces lower privilege levels, and simplifies rollouts.

VMware ThinApp

An agent-free application virtualization tool that packages apps as single executables by linking a virtual OS environment with an embedded file system.

Microsoft App-V

Microsoft’s application virtualization platform for streaming and managing virtualized applications.

Citrix XenApp

Citrix solution for delivering virtualized Windows applications to any device.

Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization

Novell’s toolset for packaging and deploying virtualized applications.

Desktop Virtualization

Decoupling a user’s desktop environment from physical PC hardware and delivering it virtually from a data center.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

A desktop virtualization model in which virtual desktops run on centralized servers and are accessed remotely by users.

Managed Desktop Service

A centrally hosted and administered desktop that provides OS, apps, and data as a subscription-like service to end users.

Desktop Virtualization Benefits

Hardware independence, remote access, centralized management, standardized images, rapid provisioning, and VM-based operations.

Desktop Virtualization Disadvantages

Potential single points of failure, limited support for complex client/server apps or drivers, security gaps, hardware non-standardization, and perceived loss of autonomy or privacy.

VMware View

VMware’s desktop virtualization suite, including vSphere for Desktops, View Manager, View Composer, and ThinApp integration.

Linked Clone

A space-efficient virtual desktop created from a parent image using VMware View Composer.

PCoIP

PC-over-IP protocol delivering high-performance remote desktop experiences in VMware View environments.

Citrix XenDesktop

Citrix platform for delivering virtual desktops and applications to any device.

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)

Microsoft solution (part of MDOP) for running legacy or isolated desktops in virtual machines on modern Windows clients.