Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Overview

Some time ago I was at a meeting of the MCP club where I learned about Microsoft SoftGrid.

What it is:



This is an application virtualization system. Works as follows:



1. First, using the special product SoftGrid Sequencer, an image is taken from the application. You need to start the sequencer, then install the necessary software, run it, work with it a bit, complete the execution and tell sequencer to stop monitoring and create an application package.



2. Then on the SoftGrid Application Server you need to import the created package, and assign the user groups to which this application should become available.

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3. Users assigned to the application and who have a SoftGrid Client receive shortcuts, file associations. at the first click, the package is loaded and the software is launched.



What is the novelty?

and the novelty is this:

Virtualization means that the application is separated from the operating system by a special layer and emulates for the application:



- registry

- system files



access to user files applications have normal.



As a result, you can, for example, install Word 97, Word XP, Word 2007 on one computer and all of them will be able to work together without interfering with each other.



The advantages of using this technology compared with others are as follows:



- Automating application deployment

- More stable performance

- there is no influence of the installed applications on the system (for example, dll hell)

- building reports

- control over the use of licenses



A demo can be viewed on the Microsoft website.

www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/softgrid/evaluation/guidedtour.mspx