Application Virtualization

Application Virtualization

1. is a process that deceives a standard app into believing that it interfaces directly with an operating system's capacities when, in fact, it does not. This ruse requires a virtualization layer inserted between the app and the OS. This layer, or framework, must run an app's subsets virtually and without impacting the subjacent OS. The virtualization layer replaces a portion of the runtime environment typically supplied by the OS, transparently diverting files and registry log changes to a single executable file.

2. Benefits

   • Allows the running of legacy apps (e.g., those developed for end-of-life OS platforms like Windows 7 and XP).
   • Enables cross-platform operations (e.g., running Windows apps on iOS, Android, macOS, and Chrome OS).
   • Prevents conflicts with other virtualized apps (e.g., conflicting anti-malware software).
   • Permits users to run multiple app instances—if not virtualized, many apps can detect the running of an instance and won't allow new ones.

3. Horizon

   • Specific Horizon products include:
     • VMware Horizon
     • Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure
     • Horizon Apps