The new release of ThinApp (4.0.3) which follows the 4.0.2 release of March 2009 is now ready. It’s a maintenance release and there is no requirement to upgrade existing deployed ThinApp applications but it is recommended to use the version 4.0.3 to package new applications.

There is a new VDI design guide available at the NetApp blogs which you should definitely should take a look on. It describes how to setup a VDI infrastructure for 2000 seats based on NFS storage. A great read.

The flexibility of VDI can be enhanced when using virtualized applications on the virtual desktops. With VMware ThinApp you can install or stream virtual applications to the virtual desktop when the user needs them. Installing the application means that the ThinApp container will be deployed to the machine in a MSI package. When installing the MSI the application will be registered in the Add/Remove software dialog in the control panel and when configured in the package.ini before, the shortcuts on desktop and start menu will be created and also the …

VMware View 3.1 offers a new function which helps you to automate the View Composer and View Manager ADAM database backup. Backup is often a part in IT which people forget about and just remember if it is already to late. In a View environment you can have two or three databases depending on the View license.

People asked me very often how exactly VMware View Composer does work, what’s the Replica image, what’s the source VM seen in the vCenter and much more. Today I found an interesting article from VMware vExpert Rodos which he has written on his blog site Musing of Rodos.

VMware View already came with USB redirection in his early stages but now with View 3.1, released last week it becomes more flexible. By default HID (Human interface devices) are filtered out because it wouldn’t be good to have the local keyboard, mouse or other device which is needed local, redirected to the virtual desktop session.

A few weeks ago I’ve created a client feature matrix for my colleagues to get an overview of the supported functions in the different client operating systems. Jason Marshall liked the matrix and blogged it on the VMware View blog site.

Yesterday a customer asked me how to use Windows roaming profiles just on the virtual desktops and not on the local desktops from which the user is connecting. Those local desktops are also a member of the Active Directory and the connecting user has a profile path configured in his user setting within the Active Directory.

Since VMware View does only support Microsoft Active Directory Service as directory service, Novell eDirectory users need another way to get their environment working with the VMware virtual desktop infrastructure. First of all you will definitely need an Active Directory to integrate the View Manager with so that the users can logon and get authenticated. To get the users from the eDirectory in sync with the Active Directory you should use the standard Novell tools.

If you are thinking about an virtual desktop infrastructure and you want to reuse old fat client PC as thin client devices maybe Thinstation is the right way for you. You can download the Live CD at the following address.