Last updated on February 1, 2021
What is a Virtual App? | Parallels Explains
The advent of virtualization technology has brought revolutionary changes to IT procedures. Many IT components, from servers to networks, are now virtualized. With the smartphone dominating the IT world, “virtual app” and “application virtualization” are the latest industry buzzwords. So what is a virtual app?
In a traditional IT environment, applications are installed on each machine. When an application is installed, it creates multiple files on the client device. While application files are stored in the application folder, DLL files go to the Windows folder, and system files are saved in the registry database. As more applications are installed, DLL files get overwritten, and another program might uninstall shared files. These issues result in an application conflict and mess up the operating system as well. In a large enterprise of tens of thousands of nodes, application conflict is a big issue. When you deploy a VDI, there are additional problems. You need to install all the applications into your base image or install each app on-demand, which again takes time. That’s where virtual apps come to the rescue.
Virtual App
Virtual apps are applications that are optimized to run in a virtual environment. Simply put, a virtual app simply runs on a computer without being installed on it. Remote apps are a popular virtual app delivery solution wherein the virtual applications installed on a server are delivered to users’ devices. These applications are not installed on the user’s device; instead, software called a client is installed on the device that connects to the server, and the application is presented as screenshots sent to the device.
There are several other virtualization solutions, such as portable apps, wherein all the DLL and registry files are encapsulated in an EXE file, enabling you to copy or move the application as a single file. You don’t have to install portable apps on a computer but can still use them on a USB stick, laptop, or any network. Application streaming is another process whereby the application’s resources are carried to the endpoint at the time of its execution. VMware ThinApp is an example of an agentless application virtualization solution, while Microsoft App-V represents an agent-based virtual app solution. Parallels Remote Application Server, Citrix, and VMware are the leading providers of application virtualization solutions in the market.
Challenges with application virtualization solutions
Application virtualization solutions do come with its own set of challenges, including the following:
- More complex setup: Virtual applications may be more complex to set up than traditional desktop applications. In some cases, you may need to hire staff possessing special skills to properly implement app virtualization in your organization. Printing is another area which is made unduly complex by a virtual app.
- Lack of support for legacy and other applications: App virtualization may not be possible for your legacy applications, including 32-bit programs. In these instances, you may be forced to maintain separate servers to handle these applications, adding more complexity to your IT environment. In addition, some applications may not be suitable for virtualization at all.
- Unanticipated costs: App virtualization may bring its own set of compute and storage requirements. This is because virtualized apps have their own peculiar storage needs and their operations may also be more I/O intensive. You may need to add more storage and network bandwidth to prevent performance issues.
- Impact on availability: Apps may become unavailable when migrating to a new server or during some other scheduled downtime. Unplanned downtimes may also adversely affect the ability of your users to run virtual apps unhampered. Backup servers as well as a steady network connection may be needed to prevent any impact on performance.
- Benefits of Virtual Applications
Benefits of Virtual Applications
Virtual applications have several benefits, including the following:
- Easier management and more convenient updating means lower support costs: Administrators only need to install a virtual application on the server once. Thus, it is easier to patch and update virtual applications. Since patching occurs in the background, users are also not inconvenienced. Another area where virtual applications are easier to manage is user access.
- Smaller application sizes: Since virtualization separates applications from the device’s operating system, virtual applications may be smaller in size compared to traditional desktop applications. Not only does this translate to lesser space requirements but it also makes rebuilding applications more efficient.
- Lower licensing costs: Since virtual applications are run on-demand, software license costs are minimized. Leveraging centralized management capabilities, application usage can be quickly analyzed, allowing responsible parties to decide when and where to increase and reduce the number of licenses accordingly.
- Lower hardware spend: Since it is possible to run virtual applications from anywhere, you do not have to buy dedicated machines for specific apps. You can also leverage the resources of individual devices without the need for powerful servers.
- More portable deployments: Virtual applications are easier to deploy to unmanaged devices, allowing your organization to leverage the benefits of moving to a Bring your own device (BYOD) environment.
- Viable option for any app: While some apps may not be suitable for virtualization, it may still be possible to virtualize any Windows app, if required.
Virtual Apps vs Virtual Desktops
Virtual apps and virtual desktops are both virtualization solutions that organizations can leverage to deliver business applications to employees anywhere, anytime, from any device. Organizations can either opt for complete desktop virtualization, individual app virtualization, or even a mix of both. Desktop virtualization refers to publishing a complete desktop environment in a data center, whether on premises or on the cloud, that can be accesses by users through any endpoint device. App virtualization refers to publishing individual applications on a server and allowing employees to access them through a remote display protocol (RDP) or app streaming.
Desktop virtualization or VDI is best suited for employees that need access to all business applications for their jobs. Virtual desktops allow employees to switch between multiple devices and still enjoy a consistent desktop experience. App virtualization comes in handy for employees that need to access a select few applications for their work. Using app virtualization within a VDI can allow IT admins to customize app deployment based on individual user requirements. Admins can conveniently deliver and manage business apps for both physical and virtual desktops and ensure optimal hardware resource utilization.
Parallels Remote Application Server is a comprehensive solution
Parallels Remote Application Server is a leading provider of virtual desktop and application delivery solutions. It is a comprehensive package that transforms locally installed products into centrally managed services. It is easy to install and use. All the virtualization components, such as load balancing and universal printing, come auto-configured. Parallels Remote Application Server supports a range of platforms and devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, Chromebooks, and Linux. It provides greater security by removing administrator privileges from end-users. Control and tracking of licensing usage are improved while workforce mobility is empowered. With Parallels Remote Application Server, you can easily manage local and virtual applications on your host. Most importantly, Parallels Remote Application Server is significantly cost-effective.
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