What applications are you virtualizing?
Filed under:
Software Virtualization Solution
Testing
Submitted by Jordan on 25 April, 2008 - 09:02.
Hey all. As many of you know I do a lot work with application compatibility with SVS and I'm working on a new list of applications to test. I want to know what you use with SVS or which applications you'd like to use with SVS but haven't been able to capture (that don't fall into drivers or system components).
The more info I get the better list I can create so even if someone else has posted something you're interested in post it again so I can judge popularity of specific apps.
Thanks
(38 votes)
Just can't SVS
Our organization has been wrestling with SAP 7 and Inventor 2008. We are working on moving most of our software over to SVS so I'm sure there are more to come.
SAP seems to be hit or miss with most machines we have tested it on. Sometimes it works flawless, sometimes it works a few times then stops, and sometimes it just pain old won't work.
Inventor will capture as a layer and works fine on the initial pc but will not export and work on another machine.
Does Inventor use
Does Inventor use autoDesk's license server? people have had issues with Autocad and that on the Forums to the same effect, it works on the original capture machine but nothing else. I believe a workaround for that was to place the license server stuff outside the layer.
Inventor SVS
I believe our Inventor licensing runs off an internal server. Keeping the licensing outside of the layer may be an option though. We are doing something similar with the config files on our SAP installs (at least those that work). I'll mention it to those doing the packaging and see if it helps.
Well, I've got: Winzip
Well, I've got:
Winzip 11.1
Pocket Movie Master
Guitar Pro 5.0 with RSE
Scar 2.03
3gp converter
acala 3gp
Guitar Pro 5.2 with RSE
TeraCopy 2.0 beta 3
Pidgin 2.4.1
iTunes and Quicktime
Finale Notepad
JRE 6 update 5
Dungeon Keeper Gold
Spybot: Search & Destroy
Windows Live Messenger
MsgPlus
IE7Pro
Hope that helps with your list!
TeraCopy V1.2 Freeware
Lists of Business Apps, Including Custom App Info
The Norton group may find these titles interesting. However, Jordan's QA team is on the business side of Symantec. We need titles (and where applicable, versions) of apps that corporate IT is virtualizing (or wants to virtualize), to drive our future test plans.
The biggest immediate return on app virtualization is often in-house developed apps, or other highly customized apps, that are difficult to install, update and troubleshoot. It's great for the customers, as they can see the help desk burden for a troublesome app drop by as much as 90% by putting it in an SVS layer. But it's hard for us to test a representative selection of such software.
So let me extend Jordan's request a bit. Where you are virtualizing custom applications, please provide a brief description of the app architecture and function. Then we can do our best to ensure that similar use cases are covered in our test suite.
Thanks!
Scott Jones
Product Manager
Symantec
SVS
Our corporation uses Oracle and we're currently upgrading to version 10.2.0.3 for Vista compatibility. We have in-house custom developed Powerbuilder applications(pb is being upgraded to version 11 for Vista. These apps use Oracle or Sybase for server/database connections. I wondered about the possibility of SVS for applications that require interface software such as Oracle or Sybase.
Thanks,Jane
New list
HI Jordan,
i am using SVS both on my personal laptop as well as on my company's system. We all know tht virtualizing software helps in increasing speed ( no service at startups) and performance. a few of the applications i would like to virtualize are:
1. Mercury QTP (automation tool), problem occurs as this tool needs reboot.
2. vmware workstation/player
3. IE 8
4. Segue Silk Test (automation tool)
i will keep adding the list and update u on same.
When can we expect the new release for these supports or u will be tweak the way to virtualize them.
Virtualize IE8?
Speaking from personal experience be careful when you virtualize IE. I have had problems where I've rest the layer and had to reimage my entire development system. IE is very tied into the operating system.
Jonathan Jesse
Director of Training
ITS Partners
Roadmap
When can we expect the new release for these supports or u will be tweak the way to virtualize them?
Well here's what's going on. I'm compiling a list of what people are virtualizing or want to and then I'm going to go over that list with some other SVS team members to decide if a app on the list is something that can be virtualized and if we should be testing against it.
Most of this list will be for SVS 3.0--so something that won't be out until next year at the earliest-- but some of the stuff will be ran against 2.X.
This doesn't mean there will be support for any apps we place on the list but it's something we'd like to do.
Apps we would like to see
SAP 7.0 would be a big one.
IBM Personal Communications
All of the Adobe products
Oracle Clients
RightFax
and of Course the popular Microsoft products.
One we'd like to see
Probably a serious edge case for you, but here goes: Our shop uses JAWS from Freedom Scientific quite a bit for Accessibility testing, and I've started using SVS because of what JAWS does to a system -- instability is an understatement.
SVS does a pretty good job of capturing JAWS, though it does miss a few pieces. More importantly, there's an odd issue with rebooting and the JAWS 40 minute timeout.
I'd love resetting SVS to function like a restart of the system -- as far as the virtualized apps can see. Second best would be for the apps in a virtual layer to know that the system has been restarted.
Am using SVS for personal
Am using SVS for personal use at the mo, but trying to get the business to adopt it.
Apps l have been unable to get working properly:
SQL 2005 Management Studio.
Nokia PC Suite
PDFcreator 0.9.5
Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred
I was unable to virtualize Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred v9.
Dragon naturally speaking 9
Dragon naturally speaking runs fine.
If you have a license, i will place it on a ftp. You only need to edit the regfile with your license and run it, and it will do the job.
Send me a message, and i will repley with the webadres.
Regards
Erik
www.dvs4sbc.nl
Erik, is that an issue with
Erik, is that an issue with the license file having to be in the base instead of the layer? Or it is you have to make sure each layer has a different license key issue?
Here is my list
Hi Jordan,
I'm using SVS on my personal Home computer, where the users are too many (includes my wife & neighborhood friends and kids- It may sound weird, but not may people have computers at home in India) with single automatic profile log on (Because of precious disk space). Every one wants all kinds of applications that they can dream off and PC running at top speed, which is a contradiction.
Well, here is what I have in the real machine.
1.Windows XP-SP2
2. All the system device drivers (Not latest, but the one came with the mother board CD)
3. Comodo Firewall
4. AVAST Antivirus
5. Portable apps, which will not leave any junk like Ccleaner.
6. SRS Audio Sandbox with XMPlayer from un4seen.com.
7. SandboxIE
On Virtual Layer ( I have so many to list it down)
1. Games.
2. Office XP
3. Kmeleon (Browser)
4. Safari (Browser)
5. Ulead video studio
6. Deepburner
7. Feedreader
8. HP Sys diagnostics
9. HP USB Formatter
10. Izarc (ZIP utility)
11. DU meter
12. Video Codec
13. Video players (AVS Media, KMPlayer, Media Player classic, Real alternative, QT Alternative)
14. AntiVir (Anti virus) activated on need basis may be once in a month.
15. XYPlorer
16. Irfan view
17. Picasa
18. voloview
19. open office
20. wordweb
21. several video, music, photo & system tweaking utilities & many more.
What I want in Virtual Layer & I can’t achieve?
Some times, few applications need DOT NET runtime (Currently I have it in a separate layer) & it should be active for the apps to be installed properly. But SVS wont allow me to install if any other layer is active. The current work around I do is copy the DOT NET Runtime layer & rename it & then perform the update of the layer. Currently I don’t have many applications using this run time. So it fine with me. But in later dates if more and more apps are based on .NET then I love to have the feature, capture even when other layers are active. (PS: DOT NET run time also slows down the system, even though I have AMD Dual core 3600+ with 512 MB RAM DDR2)
2.) Love to have a look and feel of SAP. When tried to install on a virtual layer, it didn’t work well, even after taking the pain of waiting in front of the computer for non stop 16 hours. Its such an ugly & resource hungry software – wonder why every one goes for it?
3.) Love to have Databases virtualized (MySQL) for testing and development of portable web apps.
Regards,
Swami.
SAP and Mysql
Swami, there is a post on the juice for SWAMP. Mysql is part of that virtual layer and a great way to test things.
The SAP client is a pain in the ¿¿¿¿
What version do you wish to have?
I have several versions, and can email or ftp them for you.
Regards
Erik
www.dvs4sbc.nl
Erik, I'm looking at R/3
Erik,
I'm looking at R/3 for SAP.
I can't find SWAMP by using search.
Can I have the link please ?
Thanks,
Swami.
My mistake
Swami,
My mistake.
hereby the correct link to the article.
http://juice.altiris.com/download/1235/using-svs-t...
Regards
Erik
www.dvs4sbc.nl
SVS for SAP
We're currently creating deploys for SAP 7100.1.5.1003 build 944123 Patch level 5. But that almost changes daily since we have to apply fixes/patches for Business Intelligence, Business Warehouse, etc. frequently. With the requirement for .NET Framework 2, I wondered about the possibility of SVS for SAP. Would definitely be interested in it. We're going to be upgrading 14000 pcs in preparation for our Vista rollout in 2009/2010.
Thanks,
Jane
Compatibility between SVS and Comodo
Hi Swami,
I am having trouble getting SVS apps to work correctly with Comodo Firewall with the Defense+ feature turned on. I believe it's something to do with the virtual exe paths that confuses Comodo. When trying to run Comodo in lock-down mode, i.e. Safe Mode, or Paranoid mode, the rules that have been set to allow the SVS apps to run somehow do not stick. Thereby causing unnecessary prompts to show up for confirmation. I have detailed this in Comodo's forum here:
http://forums.comodo.com/help_for_v3/defense_keeps...
Also, the issue was reported previously by other users in the older version, v2 of Comodo:
http://forums.comodo.com/empty-t7462.0.html
I have already sent a problem report to Comodo, but I am not sure if there will be any priority on this issue. I'm just hoping somebody will take a look and see what can be done to fix it.
If these two wonderful apps could co-exist, things would be perfect.
Edit: I just realized I wasn't being very clear with my point, and that is, since you mentioned your set up working with Comodo, I'm curious how you managed to do it.
Use comodo in basic Firewall mode
Hi Alterego,
I’m using Comodo in basic firewall mode, with Defense system turned off. Even for NON SVS apps, it used give pop ups. Hence I disabled that. Fortunately, my most of the apps doesn’t need net connection. Hence its fine with me and I’m happy with it !
Regards,
Swami.
Don't forget to add Comodo
Don't forget to add Comodo to SVS's Process Ignore list, I can't remember if this will solve the problem but I do know that if you don't Comodo will hang around 5-10% constant CPU usage.
This is some good info
This is really useful, keep it coming.
List of apps I failed to virtualise
List of apps I failed to virtualise.
1. Office 2007 - problems with fonts and Groove won't virtualise
2. IE 7 - doesn't even launch!
3. iTunes 7 - always a corrupted music database.
Those are the main ones...
Richard.
I doubt that any version of
I doubt that any version of SVS will ever be officially supported because, even with Vista, IE is tightly integrated into the OS and there are lots of things that expect IE dlls to be on the system to work.
You can get it to work but you can do a normal capture, you have to pretty much find all the files and registry entries that it uses and copy them into the layer.
Another big list...
-=Virtualized=-
AB Commander.vsa <- reinstalled normal due to slow response in app
ACDsee 8.0.vsa
Ad-Aware 2007.vsa
Adobe Audition 3.0.vsa
Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.vsa
AirSnare.vsa
Alcohol 120% v1.9.7.6022.vsa
Any DVD Converter 3.5.6.vsa
ASFTools 3.10.vsa
Aspell 0-50-3-3.vsa
AudioShell135.vsa
AVI Tool Tip 1.1.vsa
Camtasia Studio 3.0.vsa
CDisplay 1.8.vsa
DivX 6.8.vsa
DVD Decrypter.vsa
DVD Shrink.vsa
DVDInfoPro 4.61.vsa
Easy CDDA Extractor 11.5.vsa
FireFox 2.0.0.14.vsa
GMail Notifier.vsa
GVIM7.1.vsa
ImageGrabberII.vsa
ImageResizerPowerToy.vsa
ImgBurn 2.4.1.vsa
K-Lite Mega Pack 3.5.7.vsa
mIRC 6.17.vsa
Motorola Phone Tattoos 2.0.vsa
Motorola Phone Tools.vsa <-Global capture
MSI Core Center.vsa
Nero 7.11.6.0.vsa
Nero 8.3.2.1.vsa
NetAlyzer.vsa
NetStumbler.vsa
Opera 9.27.vsa
Partition Magic 8.05.vsa
PassMark Trial.vsa
PC Wizard 2008 v181.vsa
Philips FunCam.vsa
Quicktime Alternative 2.20.vsa
Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.vsa
Sony Sound Forge 8.vsa
Sony Vegas 8.0d.vsa
SVS Trinket.vsa
TagRename346.vsa
TiVo Desktop 2.5.1.vsa <-used to work perfect, now fails
Tivo Playlist 0.6.vsa
VideoReDoPlus 2.2.1.445.vsa
VirtualDub-1.7.7.vsa <- empty layer
VLC 0.8.6e.vsa
WinAmp 5.531.vsa
WinDirStat.vsa
WinFastPVR 3.1.1.10.vsa
WinISO.vsa
WinPCap 4.0.2.vsa
WinPCap 4.1 Beta3.vsa
WinRAR Corp361.vsa
WinZip 11.2.vsa
WireShark 0.99.8.vsa
Everything works on the XP system I created them on. Most work on the Vista laptop I've deployed them to EXCEPT for Sony and Adobe software which is failing at runtime.
My Nero 7 layer kept breaking complaining of a missing .dll. It's working at the moment but the dll was never missing in the first place...
I found on my Vista system that the security settings on some of these created-in-XP layers need to be adjusted before they function properly. And most work right off the bat but throw up an error message when you attempt to edit the layer unless you first do a reset.
Apps.
Probably all the Adobe software and most of the commonly used microsoft apps.
Troubles with WinDVD 8
Hi Jordan
I'd like to use WinDVD 8 (from InterVideo) virtualized. Version 7 ran fine. However, version 8 stops from time to time for a few seconds during movie (dvd) playback. (This happens at least once every 3 - 5 mins). I don't know how far this is SVS related but I haven't had that issue with version 7.
Other virtualized application list
I am using Altiris SVS in different environments, here my virtualized application list for prod and testing programs in our corporate environment.
System Tools
- EZBackup
- Drivecopy
- CDBurnerXP
- Desktop Blackberry
- Acronis True Image
- BartPE
- Stats 2000
Networking
- Dameware NT Utilities
- IP Scanner
- LANState
- DLINK PS-Admin
Multimedia
- Aplus DVD Ripper
- DVD Shrink
- Camtasia Studio 3
- GIMP 2.4.4
- Screen2Exe
GPS programs
- GPSU
- MioMap
- MioSync
- Nokia MapLoader
Internet and Office programs
- Safari
- Openoffice
- Borland BDE
Misc programs
- Google Earth
- Microsoft Time Zone
Missed one
Love to have power DVD virtualized. But unfortunately nothing happens after double clicking the EXE. I assumed that it might by my PC specific problem. But I have checked with my friends’ computer too. He too had the same problem. But Power DVD is running fine inside SandboxIE.
Any help please ?
Regards,
Swami
IBM Lotus Notes
Isolated Lotus Notes. We want two versions of Notes to run at the same time during testing.
vmware converter
In the past I virtualized VMmware converter but there were randomly minor software issues and the conversion failed. Not sure if the latest version has solved these errors. Anyone tried the 3.0.2 version?
Paolo
Compatibility with software which require driver
few months back, Microsoft released Private Folder. It was an encrytion software. I dont know the exact technology but it think it also install some driver like SVS. if these both are installed on same machine then blue dump is shown.
I would like to request that future builds provide compatibility with such softwares.
I've checked against the
I've checked against the Private Folder with the current Beta and wasn't able to get a bluescreen.
MS Private Folder is DOA, and has been for along time
MS Private Folder was discontinued almost immediatley after launch, which was almost 2 years ago.
"Following a barrage of criticism from security experts and IT administrators, Microsoft has withdrawn its new Private Folder application. The program was introduced last week as a free download for those who verify their operating system as genuine through Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage Program.
Private Folder was designed to hide data from the hard drive in addition to protecting it with a password. However, the application quickly drew concern from administrators who feared users would lose their password and not be able to unlock their files. In addition, parents voiced worry that kids could use Private Folder to hide content they download.
The application was removed on July 14, 2006"
Doesn't mean I shouldn't
Doesn't mean I shouldn't check against it for a blue screen if someone has had that happen. Just because the Private Folder app isn't offered by MS doesn't mean they're still not using parts of the program elsewhere.
Cisco VPN Client
One I have not tried but would very much like to see working is the Cisco VPN Client.
As the Cisco VPN Client installs a driver I am not sure whether this is suitable for installation in a virtual layer using SVS.
Driver Problem?
One of the issues I've always had with SVS is when there are drivers instaleld. THis is the probelm with the Cisco VPN client, it installs a driver. Including all VPN clients.
Jonathan Jesse
Director of Training
ITS Partners
VPN not a good idea
VPN controls network traffic, and has virtual network devices to get it to work. Its something that is definately not a good SVS layer option.
Checkpoint VPN-1 SecurClient
Any experience to virtualize the Checkpoint VPN-1 SecurClient ?
Thanks in advance , regards.
Paolo
List of Apps
Microsoft Administrative tools
Admin Script Editor (Edit scripts)
AutoIt (2 tools for creating key send scripts)
Bit Zipper
Camtasia
Captivate 3
CSDIFF (file compare)
Easy CD-DA Extractor
File Compare
Folder Jockey (macro for opening \\ folders)
Hex viewer
ISO buster
MSI Vista Readiness Analyzer
Snagit
Visual Basic lite
WebEx editor, player and recorder
Winimage
Wink - Screen capture
WInMerge - File compare
Winternals Suite - have to have Thumb drive driver in non virtual mode.
Our Custom Apps
I am going to try and install an accounting program called Cougar Mountain. It is painful to setup and I don't want to deal with it any more.
Another program I would like to never deal with again is Crystal Reports. If I can layer that up my day would be made.
There are two business programs, Business Plan Pro and Quickbooks that need to be in a layer.
Some better know programs that I would like to add into layers is Adobe CS3, AutoCAD, and Google Sketchup.
In other words, I am going to have a busy summer.
Games and Windows Firewall Exceptions
Having become caught up in the whirlwind that is SVS I have now installed all of my games to SVS layers - not least of which because it is quicker to re-import a layer than re-install a game.
This has worked fine until last weekend when I went to LAN party only to discover that I was unable to create the normal exceptions in the Windows Firewall. This was the first time I'd tried to play milti-player since installing to a layer.
Trying to add a program-based firewall exception, through either the GUI or command line, fails silently (no error reported). In the end I added static port-based exceptions to get things working.
Are there any known problems with the Windows Firewall and SVS layered software?
Problematic games so far:
* Command and Conquer 3 - Kanes Wrath
* Enemy Territory Quake Wars
* Unreal Tournament III
* Dawn of War - Soulstorm
There's pretty much a
There's pretty much a problem with all firewalls and SVS, they don't like seeing two paths to the same program (the FSLRSR and the virtualized path). If you're firewall has a program/process ignore list then add SVS to that and it should work.
I don't believe windows firewall has the ability to do this but I could be wrong. But on my Vista laptop I've actually had the Windows Firewall ask me about allowing the FSLRDR path (which is usually the one that firewalls don't ask about) and have my apps work) which allowed my apps to work. Not quite sure what what's going on there--it's on my list of things to check if I ever get time.
What we have virtulized and deployed
Microsoft Office 2003 with SP3
Microsoft Office Visio Standard and Pro 2003 with SP3
Microsoft Office Project Standard and Pro 2003 with SP3
Microsoft Office XP with Outlook 2003 w/SP3
WinZip 9.0 SR1
FireFox 2.0.0.11
Dameware 5.5 & 6.7
Windows 2003 SP1 Server Admin Pack
Goodlink Admin Pack
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack 2007