Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 1

Five Apps

1. Cameyo

Cameyo is a simple app that packages any application that requires installation into an application that can be run with a single EXE. This is accomplished by capturing a system image before and after the application is installed one time. Then, the package can be tweaked using various options, including the ability to add and remove files and registry entries, and distributed to users as a simple EXE. The package runs in a controlled container, not altering the system it is run on. Cameyo is free for up to 50 machines; larger environments can request a quote.

Cameyo allows you to examine the system changes an application install makes and builds an executable app that allows you to run without needing to install the app on another system.

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Cameyo takes a snapshot before and after the installation.

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Cameyo waits while you install the app.

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Once the package is built, you can then edit various settings.

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This tab allows you to adjust which files the package includes.  Occasionally, there are extraneous files in the package that are not part of the app (say, if other system tasks are occurring at the same time).  You can use this screen to remove those files.  Cameyo actually recommends you create a virtual machine to build your app packages from to reduce the chance of extraneous files and registry entries.

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Like the Files tab, and with the same discussions as on the previous slide, the Registry tab keeps track of the changes the application install makes to the registry.

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The Advanced tab contains several more options for the package.

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Foglight by Quest Software 1

2. Foglight by Quest Software

Foglight is a highly-configurable system that can monitor and administer various enterprise systems, including virtualization platforms like VMware and Citrix. Foglight's monitors are referred to as "cartridges", each of which is purchasable separately. Foglight's administration capabilities are performed via various applications created for single virtualization systems or tasks. Each Foglight component is detailed and downloadable for evaluation at the Quest Software Virtualization page. Pricing is available by contacting Dell's Quest Software division sales.

Foglight is a highly extensible app that can monitor and keep track of many various systems, including hypervisors.  Each system monitor is referred to as a “cartridge”.

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Once you are monitoring systems, there are many customizable dashboards to summarize your environment as well as alarms to notify you of system trouble.

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PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 1

3. PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ

PlateSpin Recon is also a monitoring system but, instead of just allowing you to monitor virtual systems, it actually focuses on assisting administrators in determining which physical servers can be combined into new virtualized environments. PlateSpin Recon tracks nearly every system measure and statistic, allows you to group systems together, and then allows you to produce graphs and charts by system or group to monitor those systems or evaluate them for future virtualization projects. Pricing is available by contacting NetIQ sales. Credit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

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PlateSpin is another monitoring system that also allows you to group systems together to evaluate them for consolidation into a virtual environment.  This main screen allows you to look at a summary for the currently-selected system, including running graphical reports.

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An example graph of the processor utilization on my demo system.

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Ulteo OVD 1

4. Ulteo OVD

Ulteo OVD is an open source, enterprise virtual desktop solution. It also allows users to run published apps as if they are installed locally on their dedicated machine via the Portal view. Ulteo OVD is an Ubuntu Linux-based system that is easily installed and configured; it can be up and running in just fifteen minutes. Ulteo comes with many built-in apps and others can be added via the administration console. Ulteo is free for use, however support and training are offered on an annual subscription basis; pricing is available by contacting Ulteo sales.

Ulteo is a virtual desktop system based on Ubuntu Linux.  The installation is quick; configuration is pretty easy as well.  The Publication Wizard helps you link a group of users to a group of published applications.

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The system comes with several sample users, but you can add your own as well.

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Users login via a web page.

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The default settings launch the user into a published desktop with desktop shortcuts for each published app. There is also a link for each app in the menu at the bottom left.

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Advanced login settings include the ability to switch to a portal view, enable full screen desktop, and change the default language and keyboard layout.

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The portal view is a list of the apps as well as access to some profile folders.

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Launching apps in portal mode runs the apps as a window within your current system.  This Firefox browser window appears within my Windows 7 desktop.

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VirtualBox by Oracle 1

5. VirtualBox by Oracle

VirtualBox is a virtual machine host environment that is able to be run on Windows, OS X, Linux, and Solaris. Is has a very easy to use interface to get you up and running with new virtual systems quickly and easily while still offering many advanced configuration options. VirtualBox supports many guest operating systems - as a matter of fact, I was able to install Ulteo as a guest OS in VirtualBox. Depending on the guest OS, you can even turn on and use various integration features like a shared clipboard and drag-and-drop. VirtualBox is a free package, however developers are encouraged to write extensions for it, some of which may have a price.

VirtualBox is an easy to use virtual machine hosting environment.

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Creating a virtual machine is easy – simply select the type and version of the operating system, choose the amount of memory to dedicate to the system, and decide what virtual hard drive to use.

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Once the virtual machine is set up, the VirtualBox Manager shows the configuration of the system.  You can also alter those settings and start the machine.

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There are many settings available, grouped into categories.

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