Step 7: Choose Application or Desktop Virtualization

Published: November 12, 2007   |   Updated: February 25, 2008

 

This decision step determines whether the application being considered is better implemented in application virtualization or in desktop virtualization.

Option 1: Application Virtualization

Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization provides a method for installing applications into a virtualized environment or streaming them on-demand. Application processing will occur on client computers. SoftGrid requires the client computers to have a complete client operating system that supports the virtualized applications, as well as to meet the hardware requirements for applications that will be deployed and executed on that computer. Sufficient network bandwidth for deploying applications must also be available. 

See the Infrastructure Planning and Design – Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization guide

Option 2: Desktop Virtualization 

Virtual PC allows users to run entire client operating systems on their local computers. In order to support this configuration, the client computer must have sufficient CPU, memory, disk, and network resources to support the base Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system, as well as resources for each of the virtual machines that will be supported. Virtual PC provides support for running legacy applications and operating systems. Users can create a wide variety of different virtual machines and can start and stop them as needed. This solution is particularly helpful for software developers and testers who often require access to multiple different platforms.

For more information about Virtual PC, visit the Virtual PC Home Page at https://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspxw.

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