Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) is a revolutionary approach to software management. By placing applications and data into managed units called Virtual Software Packages, Software Virtualization Solution lets you instantly activate, deactivate or reset applications and to completely avoid conflicts between applications without altering the base Windows installation.

Software Virtualization Solution is based on Altiris patents-pending core technology known as the SVS File System Filter driver.

Software Virtualization Solution leverages the Altiris Extensible Management Architecture of Notification Server, the Altiris Agent, and the Altiris Console.

This chapter contains the following topics:

• Solving Problems with Software Virtualization Solution
• Software Virtualization Solution Benefits
• Product Documentation

Solving Problems with Software Virtualization Solution

Software Virtualization Solution solves the following common application management problems:

Provisioning and deprovisioning applications is disruptive to the user and time consuming

With Software Virtualization Solution, you can easily deploy virtualized applications without running an application install or uninstall on client computers. Application availability is instantaneous—you can easily and immediately activate or deactivate your applications by sending a single command to the client computer. The user is not required to have system rights to run an installation, and you don’t have to worry about restarting when you activate or deactivate an application. The solution can also register any services that the application installed with the Windows Service Control Manager, which then loads the service so that the application is fully functional.

Recovering a damaged application is time consuming

Rather than repairing or recovering a damaged application, you can simply reset it to the original deployed condition. Application resets can be performed instantly or on a schedule. An application can be reset whether the client computer is connected to the network or not. Resetting a virtual application does not damage other applications installed on the computer.

Conflicting applications are difficult or impossible to manage

Software Virtualization Solution ensures applications use the correct files and registry settings without modifying the operating system and interfering with other applications.

This provides numerous benefits, including improved reliability and flexibility. Example: When installing new software or application updates, administrators might inadvertently replace newer .DLLs with older .DLLs, which can cause immediate problems between applications sharing those .DLLs, causing application failure or reintroducing security holes that previously were patched. With Software Virtualization Solution, you can stop worrying about “DLL hell.”

Other benefits include allowing different versions of the same application to co-exist on
the same computer. Also, virtualized applications will never corrupt an operation system.

Migrating to new application versions requires significant testing and planning; takes a long time to execute and rollback is difficult

Rolling out new versions of an application requires significant time to test for conflicts and reprovisiong lab testing computers. Software Virtualization Solution simplifies pre-deployment testing, accelerates the deployment cycle, and reduces post-deployment support costs. With Software Virtualization Solution, you can host multiple versions of an application on the same system without conflicts between older and newer files.

Even phased rollouts are greatly accelerated because rollback can occur immediately at any time. Once the transition from an older application to a newer application is complete, simply deactivate and remove the older version.

Software Virtualization Solution Benefits

Integrates With Altiris® Extensible Management Architecture™

Software Virtualization Solution integrates with Altiris® Extensible Management Architecture™ (EMA™), so you benefit from native integration with Altiris service management, asset management, and systems management solutions. Take advantage of reports and policies that let you quickly troubleshoot and better forecast potential system problems. Example: Altiris pre-packaged Web Reports™ allow you to drill down for detailed information about your environment.And not only does EMA let you leverage your existing investment in Altiris solutions, it also makes it easy to extend capabilities as your business grows and your business needs change.

Supports Any Management Framework

Software Virtualization Solution is designed to work independently of the Altiris framework, if desired. API, WMI, and command-line interfaces are supported. This means Software Virtualization Solution client-side operations can be managed with any desktop management product.

Software Virtualization Solution Usage Options

Altiris® Virtual Software Package™ (VSP™) format are highly portable. You can easily view them in a variety of ways and environments.

Software Virtualization Solution for Personal Use

Software Virtualization Solution for Personal Use is a free version you can download to create and use your own Virtual Software Packages in a single-computer environment.

Software Virtualization Solution

Software Virtualization Solution provides the licenses and ability to produce, distribute, and use Virtual Software Packages in an enterprise environment.

Software Virtualization Solution includes the Notification Server-based Software Virtualization Solution that lets you remotely deploy Virtual Software Packages to client computers on managed computers on your network. You can also remotely control the state of the Virtual Software Packages on client computers and view reports about Virtual Software Packages deployment and usage.

You can also use Software Virtualization Solution with Altiris® Deployment Solution™ software to remotely deploy Virtual Software Packages to client computers on your network.

For information, see How Can Virtual Software Packages be Used?

Wise Package Studio

Wise Package Studio® software now supports creating, editing, and managing packages for virtual applications. These packages enable applications to run in a virtual environment when used with Software Virtualization Solution. For information, see http://www.wise.com/Products/Packaging.aspx.

As new usage options of Software Virtualization Solution become available, information can be found at www.altiris.com/svs.

Supported Platforms

You can use SVS on client computers running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows 2000 Professional SP4 or higher
• Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4 or higher
• Windows XP Professional SP1 or higher
• Windows Server 2003 or higher
• Windows Vista (32 bit).

SVS also supports using Virtual Software Packages (VSPs) in the following environments:

• Ardence/Dell SmartClient*.
• Hewlett-Packard Consolidated Client Infrastructure (HP CCI)*.
• VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)/IBM Virtual Client Solution*.

Product Documentation

The following documentation is provided with Software Virtualization Solution:

Altiris product documentation is available in Microsoft HTML Help (.CHM) and Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) formats. Documentation files are installed in the following directory:

C:\Program Files\Altiris\Notification Server\NSCap\Help

You can access documentation from the Altiris Console by clicking the following icons in the upper-right corner of the Altiris Console:

• Access the contextual online help by clicking the online help icon.
• Access an index of all help by clicking the index icon.

The complete and most current versions of documentation are available from the Altiris Knowledge Base, which is available from the Altiris support Web page at www.altiris.com/support.

Altiris Juice

Additional information can be found the Software Virtualization Solution Web Community Web site called Juice. The Juice web site provides articles, tools, and tips to help you maximize the benefits of Software Virtualization Solution. You can visit the Juice at http://juice.altiris.com.