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Virtual Image Distribution
Today's organizations are increasingly turning to virtual imaging products to:
- Speed up software development and testing
- Increase the productivity of existing production machines
- Rapidly provision secure, isolated, managed environments to unmanaged machines
- Provision consistent images across the enterprise
However, the sheer size of the typical virtual image has hindered their deployment in bandwidth-limited scenarios, preventing or severely limiting virtual image distribution to remotely distributed or mobile end users. In fact, virtual image distribution is typically feasible only over a LAN (distribution over DSL can take over four hours).
AppStream — Virtual Image Distribution
AppStream's Virtual Image Distribution solution solves these problems. This solution enables on-demand virtual image streaming, providing end users with access to virtual images much faster, and instantly extending the potential use of virtual images throughout the enterprise. AppStream's Virtual Image Distribution solution also enables IT to maintain existing user settings and data when updating images, and enables a single image to be distributed to multiple users who are recognized as unique domain participants. AppStream's Virtual Image Distribution solution can be used today in conjunction with VMware ACE, VMware GSX, and Microsoft Virtual PC products.
All the capabilities of AppStream's on-demand software distribution and license management platform are extended to the Virtual Image Distribution solution, including:
- Centralized management and control
- Fine-grained access control
- Time-bounded usage rights
- The ability to de-provision or re-provision applications / images at any time
This solution is ideal for:
- Distributed offices
- Shared-computer situations, such as with contractors or satellite sales offices
- Setting up new contractors, partners or consultants who bring in their own hardware
- Remote access for home users or for traveling employees
Up to Ten Times Faster than Other Distribution Methods
Informal lab tests have demonstrated that AppStream's on-demand virtual image streaming technology can get remote end users up-and-running with virtual images over ten times faster than traditional software distribution methods, making remote, Internet-based virtual image distribution a feasible reality.
The following table depicts the differences AppStream can make to your enterprise in the delivery time of a fully loaded virtual image (4.4 Gb with XP OS, Internet browser and MS Office) and then launching MS Project:
Delivery Method |
Over LAN |
Over DSL |
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Traditional software distribution |
12.0 minutes |
4+ hours |
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AppStream virtual image distribution |
1.53 minutes |
15.0 minutes |
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AppStream Virtual Image Distribution Benefits
- Enables a broader audience to take advantage of virtual image benefits
Rapid virtual image distribution allows remote end users and road warriors to take advantage of virtual images distributed from the home office.
- Secures access to enterprise assets from home
The virtual image can provide a secure "sandbox" enabling home users to use line of business applications from their home PC without requiring open access to the network.
- A cost effective way to deliver virtual images to remote end users reliably and quickly
AppStream's Virtual Image Distribution solution eliminates:
- Use of hard media and "sneaker net"
- Long wait times for large file downloads
- Unsuccessful downloads due to timeouts
- Reliance on the existence of local DVD drives to load large images.
- Centralized management of virtual images
The AppStream centralized management and control functions are adopted by the Virtual Image Distribution solution.
- The ability to maintain user settings and data when updating images
When IT wants to update an image, user settings and data are overwritten. AppStream has solved this issue, maintaining any existing data while the rest of the image undergoes an update.
- Self Service Access to Virtual Images
End users can access centrally maintained virtual images on demand.
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