|
Architectural Components
AppStream's secure software streaming solution is comprised of the AppStream server, the AppStream client, the AppStream Packaging Studio, and the AppStream Control and Management Console.
The AppStream Server
The AppStream server, which can be installed on virtually any server in your network while supporting over 1000 end user PCs, has the following components:
- Launch server: The Launch server generates end-user-specific application portals, displaying a menu of permitted applications to each end user.
- Streaming server: The Streaming server is an end-user-facing web server that streams applications to PCs while capturing client request statistics — information that is used to direct future predictive streaming. The Streaming server secures software streaming via the use of SSL and VPN technologies.
- AppStream Repository: The AppStream Repository is a data store that houses all stream-ready applications along with all user data. User data can be created from scratch or extracted via out-of-the-box integration with existing LDAP repositories, Microsoft SQL server 2000 databases, or NT4 Domains.
Note that the AppStream Control and Management Console is also a server-side component.
The AppStream Client
The AppStream client manages the runtime execution of streamed applications. The client installs applications on PCs by taking application streams from the AppStream Server and storing them durably across user sessions, enabling future application launches to be immediate. When the application requires access to registry entries or application functionality, these requests are intercepted and handled by the AppStream client. When the end user accesses additional application functionality (i.e. application functions not already streamed down), the client sends requests to the AppStream server, which streams down the required additional functionality.
All communication between an AppStream client and the AppStream server runs over HTTP, allowing streamed data to pass unimpeded through firewalls, proxy servers, VPNs and other network services while guaranteeing secure software streaming.
The AppStream client has been constructed to integrate easily into the PC environment. The client:
- Works without conflict alongside major antivirus and personal firewall programs seamlessly;
- Integrates easily into multi-tenant/roaming profiles desktop environments;
- Incorporates existing security infrastructure — no need to add additional sign-ons.
The AppStream Packaging Studio
The AppStream Packaging Studio converts client applications into stream-ready packages and uploads them to the AppStream server where they are accessed by end users. The AppStream Packaging Studio supports Snapshot-based and MSI-based software packaging. An AppStream application package may include program executables, system requirements, scripts, parameters, startup blocks and version information.
The AppStream Packaging Studio has an intuitive, easy-to-follow user interface that walks administrators through the process of software packaging. Through the Control & Management Console, AppStream Packaging Studio allows administrators to:
- Add, delete, enable, or update packages easily
- Associate applications in the package with specific users and groups
- Provision different package versions to different users through a multipurpose version labeling system
- Customize streamed application behavior via the inclusion of scripts
View a full list of applications that can be packaged with AppStream's Package Studio.
The AppStream Control and Management Console
AppStream combines distributed, local processing power with centralized management and control — all PC applications run locally, leveraging client resources, but are administered centrally, ensuring consistency and simplicity. The entire AppStream system is administered by the AppStream Control and Management Console, a comprehensive web-based administration and monitoring portal that integrates easily with third party management tools. The AppStream Control and Management Console provides administrators with a centralized tool to configure, manage, and monitor the entire AppStream system, including:
- End user & group configuration, and provisioning
- End user authentication and authorization
- AppStream system configuration & deployment (control and setup of all servers, server groups, multi-tier environments, etc.)
- Software package deployment
- Software license tracking
- User-by-user application usage tracking
- Application version management
- System management throughout the enterprise
AppStream Architectural Overview
 Up to top
|
