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Virtualization

Five Apps: Virtualization management

By Wally Bahny September 13, 2013, 10:48 AM PDT

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Five Apps: Virtualization management

Five apps for managing virtualization systems

Five apps for managing virtualization systems

Thisrngallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.

Virtualizationrnis still one of the top buzz words in IT. It is immediately associated withrnsystems like VMware, Citrix, and even Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. However,rnthese aren’t the only systems existing under the umbrella of virtualization. Therernare, of course, various systems for managing virtual environments, systems forrndesktop virtualization, applications for building virtualized apps, and evenrnother virtualized host systems. In this edition of Five Apps, we take a look atrnfive systems in these various categories.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a1_Cameyo 1.JPG
a1_Cameyo 1.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 1

Cameyo 1

Five Apps

rnrn

1. Cameyo

rnrnCameyo is a simple app that packages anyrnapplication that requires installation into an application that can be run withrna single EXE. This is accomplished by capturing a system image before and afterrnthe application is installed one time. Then, the package can be tweaked usingrnvarious options, including the ability to add and remove files and registryrnentries, and distributed to users as a simple EXE. The package runs in arncontrolled container, not altering the system it is run on. Cameyo is free forrnup to 50 machines; larger environments can request a quote.

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a2_Cameyo 2.JPG
a2_Cameyo 2.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 2

Cameyo 2

Cameyo takes a snapshot before and after the installation.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a3_Cameyo 3.JPG
a3_Cameyo 3.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 3

Cameyo 3

Cameyo waits while you install the app.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a4_Cameyo 4.JPG
a4_Cameyo 4.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 4

Cameyo 4

Once the package is built, you can then editrnvarious settings.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a5_Cameyo 5.JPG
a5_Cameyo 5.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 5

Cameyo 5

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a6_Cameyo 6.JPG
a6_Cameyo 6.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 6

Cameyo 6

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

a7_Cameyo 7.JPG
a7_Cameyo 7.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Cameyo 7

Cameyo 7

The Advanced tab contains several more optionsrnfor the package.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

b1_Foglight 1.JPG
b1_Foglight 1.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Foglight by Quest Software 1

Foglight by Quest Software 1

2. Foglight by Quest Software

rnrnFoglight is arnhighly-configurable system that can monitor and administer various enterprisernsystems, including virtualization platforms like VMware and Citrix. Foglight’srnmonitors are referred to as “cartridges”, each of which isrnpurchasable separately. Foglight’s administration capabilities are performedrnvia various applications created for single virtualization systems or tasks. EachrnFoglight component is detailed and downloadable for evaluation at the Quest Software Virtualization page.rnPricing is available by contacting Dell’s Quest Software division sales.

Foglight is a highly extensible app that canrnmonitor and keep track of many various systems, including hypervisors.  Each system monitor is referred to as arnu201ccartridgeu201d.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

b2_Foglight 2.JPG
b2_Foglight 2.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Foglight by Quest Software 2

Foglight by Quest Software 2

Once you are monitoring systems, there are manyrncustomizable dashboards to summarize your environment as well as alarms tornnotify you of system trouble.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

c1_PlateSpin Recon 1.JPG
c1_PlateSpin Recon 1.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 1

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 1

3. PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ

rnrnPlateSpin Recon is also arnmonitoring system but, instead of just allowing you to monitor virtual systems,rnit actually focuses on assisting administrators in determining which physicalrnservers can be combined into new virtualized environments. PlateSpin Reconrntracks nearly every system measure and statistic, allows you to group systemsrntogether, and then allows you to produce graphs and charts by system or grouprnto monitor those systems or evaluate them for future virtualization projects. Pricingrnis available by contacting NetIQ sales.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

c2-PlateSpin Recon 2.JPG
c2-PlateSpin Recon 2.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 2

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 2

PlateSpin is another monitoring system that alsornallows you to group systems together to evaluate them for consolidation into arnvirtual environment.  This main screenrnallows you to look at a summary for the currently-selected system, includingrnrunning graphical reports.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

c3_PlateSpin Recon 3.JPG
c3_PlateSpin Recon 3.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 3

PlateSpin Recon by NetIQ 3

An example graph of the processor utilization onrnmy demo system.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d1-Ulteo 1.JPG
d1-Ulteo 1.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 1

Ulteo OVD 1

4. Ulteo OVD

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

Ulteo is a virtual desktop system based onrnUbuntu Linux.  The installation is quick;rnconfiguration is pretty easy as well. rnThe Publication Wizard helps you link a group of users to a group ofrnpublished applications.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d2_Ulteo 2.JPG
d2_Ulteo 2.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 2

Ulteo OVD 2

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d3_Ulteo 3.JPG
d3_Ulteo 3.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 3

Ulteo OVD 3

Users login via a web page.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d4-Ulteo 4.JPG
d4-Ulteo 4.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 4

Ulteo OVD 4

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d5_Ulteo 5.JPG
d5_Ulteo 5.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 5

Ulteo OVD 5

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d6_Ulteo 6.JPG
d6_Ulteo 6.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 6

Ulteo OVD 6

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

d7_Ulteo 7.JPG
d7_Ulteo 7.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

Ulteo OVD 7

Ulteo OVD 7

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

e1_VirtualBox 1.JPG
e1_VirtualBox 1.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

VirtualBox by Oracle 1

VirtualBox by Oracle 1

5. VirtualBox by Oracle

rnrnVirtualBox is a virtual machine hostrnenvironment that is able to be run on Windows, OS X, Linux, and Solaris. Is hasrna very easy to use interface to get you up and running with new virtual systemsrnquickly and easily while still offering many advanced configuration options. VirtualBoxrnsupports many guestrnoperating systems – as a matter of fact, I was able to install Ulteo as arnguest OS in VirtualBox. Depending on the guest OS, you can even turn on and usernvarious integration features like a shared clipboard and drag-and-drop. VirtualBoxrnis a free package, however developers are encouraged to write extensions forrnit, some of which may have a price.

VirtualBox is an easy to use virtual machinernhosting environment.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

e2_VirtualBox 2.JPG
e2_VirtualBox 2.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

VirtualBox by Oracle 2

VirtualBox by Oracle 2

Creating a virtual machine is easy u2013 simplyrnselect the type and version of the operating system, choose the amount ofrnmemory to dedicate to the system, and decide what virtual hard drive to use.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

e3_VirtualBox 3.JPG
e3_VirtualBox 3.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

VirtualBox by Oracle 3

VirtualBox by Oracle 3

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

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

e4_VirtualBox 4.JPG
e4_VirtualBox 4.JPG
Five Apps: Virtualization management

VirtualBox by Oracle 4

VirtualBox by Oracle 4

There are many settings available, grouped intorncategories.

rnrnCredit: Images by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

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