Brian
03-23-2006, 01:17 PM
Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 (http://www.thetechlounge.com/news/9516/Altiris+Software+Virtualization+Solution+20/)
"Where virtual machine utilities like VMware Workstation manage entire virtual computers, Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 virtualizes individual software installations. In the latest PC Magazine Technical Excellence Awards, we recognized the product based on a beta version. The utility can instantly wipe out a problem program, allow alternating use of incompatible applications, and make transferring software between computers a breeze. SVS is free for personal use on up to ten computers; Follow the link at the end of this review to pcmag.com-hosted download. At the enterprise level, it sells for $29 per node (list) and integrates with the Notification Server and Deployment Solution products from Altiris.
Once installed on a system, SVS runs continually. If you install a program under it, SVS grabs all changes to the Registry and file system (including added and deleted files) that the installer makes and puts them in what Altiris calls a layer. Thereafter, the virtualization software directs file and Registry calls to the layer or to the base system as appropriate. The SVS-installed app looks perfectly normal, but disappears without a trace when you deactivate the layer. You can turn the app on and off like a light switch.
The layer that SVS creates during a program's installation is read-only; an associated read/write layer holds all changes the virtualized program makes when it's running. To return the program to its freshly installed state—if it gets damaged or corrupted, for example—you simply do a reset, which wipes out only the read/write layer's contents. SVS also lets you export a virtualized application to a file and import it on another computer, automatically adjusting the imported package to match the OS, system folders, and settings on the new machine—instant installation! Performance doesn't seem to be affected with SVS or virtualized apps running, although Altiris says it may slow 2 to 3 percent.
A defective program installed under SVS supervision can't permanently damage your system—you just deactivate and delete the layer. Want to try the Microsoft Office beta without losing access to the current version? Install both, but activate one at a time. My one gripe is that SVS identifies an active layer just by displaying the name in boldface—I'd like to see a stronger visual distinction. "
Read full story here (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=1759864&technology=true)
"Where virtual machine utilities like VMware Workstation manage entire virtual computers, Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 virtualizes individual software installations. In the latest PC Magazine Technical Excellence Awards, we recognized the product based on a beta version. The utility can instantly wipe out a problem program, allow alternating use of incompatible applications, and make transferring software between computers a breeze. SVS is free for personal use on up to ten computers; Follow the link at the end of this review to pcmag.com-hosted download. At the enterprise level, it sells for $29 per node (list) and integrates with the Notification Server and Deployment Solution products from Altiris.
Once installed on a system, SVS runs continually. If you install a program under it, SVS grabs all changes to the Registry and file system (including added and deleted files) that the installer makes and puts them in what Altiris calls a layer. Thereafter, the virtualization software directs file and Registry calls to the layer or to the base system as appropriate. The SVS-installed app looks perfectly normal, but disappears without a trace when you deactivate the layer. You can turn the app on and off like a light switch.
The layer that SVS creates during a program's installation is read-only; an associated read/write layer holds all changes the virtualized program makes when it's running. To return the program to its freshly installed state—if it gets damaged or corrupted, for example—you simply do a reset, which wipes out only the read/write layer's contents. SVS also lets you export a virtualized application to a file and import it on another computer, automatically adjusting the imported package to match the OS, system folders, and settings on the new machine—instant installation! Performance doesn't seem to be affected with SVS or virtualized apps running, although Altiris says it may slow 2 to 3 percent.
A defective program installed under SVS supervision can't permanently damage your system—you just deactivate and delete the layer. Want to try the Microsoft Office beta without losing access to the current version? Install both, but activate one at a time. My one gripe is that SVS identifies an active layer just by displaying the name in boldface—I'd like to see a stronger visual distinction. "
Read full story here (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=1759864&technology=true)