VMware published a new blog article about integrating ThinApp with Citrix XenApp. Learn how you can benefit from that.

• Requires only a single application instance: With ThinApp in a XenApp implementation, you need only one copy of the virtualized application stored on a ThinApp file share. With other applications presented with XenApp, you must install the same application on each of the XenApp Servers in your server farm, and each of these native installations must be individually maintained.

• Application conflict is eliminated: To avoid application conflicts, Citrix isolates applications from each other via XenApp silos, which requires additional hardware. ThinApp isolates applications with software, not hardware. ThinApp virtual applications are isolated from each other and therefore can be placed on the same XenApp Server.

• Recovery is simpler: If a XenApp Server fails, you have to reinstall the XenApp server. However, if you have stored your virtual applications separately on a ThinApp file share, you have only the baseline XenApp server to reinstall, and you do not have to reinstall the applications.

• Updates are simpler and faster with ThinApp: With a standard Citrix XenApp setup, you must update each natively installed application on each XenApp Server, and you need to take each server offline to update the applications. If you use ThinApp to virtualize applications, you update only the single application on the file share, and ThinApp applications can be updated automatically while in use.

• ThinApp can virtualize IE6, and the migration to Windows 7 is eased: ThinApp allows you to virtualize Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), and you can package IE6 along with a legacy application that depends upon IE6 or an older version of Java. Users can run virtual IE6 alongside a later version of native IE on the same desktop. The migration to Windows 7 or to later Windows versions becomes easier if you have the option of carrying forward any IE6-dependent legacy applications.

Link: http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/2012/04/integrating-thinapp-with-xenapp.html

Whitepaper: http://vmware.com/files/pdf/Citrix-XenApp-VMware-View-ThinApp.pdf

Teradici updates comprehensive suite of PCoIP zero client security features to include latest government SIPRNet mandates for user identification and authentication

Teradici extends the PCoIP zero client firmware to support news security features.

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/teradicir-provides-high-security-desktop-authentication-with-support-for-siprnet-hardware-tokens-in-pcoipr-zero-clients-for-vmware-viewtm-2012-04-17

Please join VMware when they discuss the next steps in End User Computing for the post-PC era.

Vittorio Viarengo, VP of End User Computing will present the latest advancements in the VMware End User Computing platform. During the virtual conference you’ll learn more about:

• Attend a keynote from the VMware leadership team
• Learn about the latest innovations in the VMware End-User Computing portfolio
• Chat with VMware End-User Computing product experts
• Network with peers

Link: http://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2012/04/register-for-the-end-user-computing-virtual-conference-on-may-3rd.html

Last year VMware released several training videos for VMware View and ThinApp. After a this successful series there are 3 new videos and 1 updated coming tomorrow, April 17th.

Learn more about troubleshooting View, get started with Persona Management and see what are the Best Practices for backup your VDI environment.

Link: http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/desktop/view/bootcamp

The VMware Fusion team has released a new version with over 20 bug fixes. The update is available through the auto-update feature.

Here are a few fixes from the release notes:

• Resolved an issue that caused the following message when you resumed a suspended virtual machine: The Virtual Machine is unable to reserve memory.
• The McAfee Virus Scan software is updated.
• Resolved an intermittent problem that caused printing to fail on Mac OS X Lion.
• Resolved an issue that occurred when copying and pasting information from newer Linux distributions.
• Improved compatibility with certain versions of Mac OS X.
• Improved the behavior of the minibar when placed at the top of the display.
• Fixed mapping of comma on numeric keyboard mapping of a French keyboard.
• Resolved an intermittent problem when removing a CD device from a virtual machine.

Link: https://www.vmware.com/support/fusion4/doc/releasenotes_fusion_412.html

VMware is going to launch the new customer interaction platform My VMware soon. As of the website: https://www.vmware.com/accounts/ there will be a maintanance on 13/14.04.2012 (this weekend) to upgrade to My VMware.

Meanwhile there is the new My VMware App available in the AppStore. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad go and get the new client and be prepared for the new platform.

Via: Virtuallifestyle

It was brought to my attention that F5 has a special solution landing page for VMware View. There’re a nice list of documents which help you to understand the benefits of F5′s solutions in co-work with VMware View.

Benefits of deploying F5 solutions with VMware View:

• Single namespace.
  F5 supports a single domain name for VMware View, from which all users can be transparently connected to the most appropriate data center or View pod.
• Convenient single sign-on.
  F5 enables organizations to streamline the authentication process into a single quick and easy step.
• Secure access.
  F5 provides secure remote and local access using high speed SSL everywhere and integration with authentication and directory services.
• High performance PCoIP.
  Unlike most SSL VPN solutions, F5 can securely transport the PCoIP protocol without degrading its performance.
• High availability and scalability.
  VMware View Manager controls the connections between end users and their virtual desktops. F5 improves the scalability and availability of that service through load balancing, health monitoring, and SSL offload.

These and more documents i.e. Case Studies you’ll find when following the link.

Link: http://www.f5.com/view

Interesting read over at CRN regarding VMware’s End User Computing products and upcoming release dates. It sounds that they’ve some insights but unfortunately only rumors.

The updates, outlined in an internal company document viewed by CRN, will be announced on May 2. They include View 5.1, the latest version of VMware’s desktop virtualization software; an on premise version of Horizon Application Manager, a VMware-hosted identity management service; and Zimbra 7.2, an update to the company’s open source email and collaboration software.

Link: http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/232900246/vmware-memo-outlines-view-5-1-project-octopus-launch-plans.htm;jsessionid=ycKi-V8blxLzC2lkhUN-+Q**.ecappj02?cid=nl_alert

That must have been a quick migration from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2008 over at OnLive. The provider of a DaaS (Desktop-as-a-Service) offering which used to be a proper Windows 7 platform has apparently migrated their environment to Windows Server 2008. This is what a new article over at Techspot says. There was a lot of trouble and rumors going on in the last few weeks at Microsoft admonished tuCloud, another DaaS provider as they were also using Windows 7 for a VDI offering.

“We’re pleased to have been told that the OnLive Desktop application is now accessing our software by hosting it on Windows Server, an important step in delivering any Microsoft-licensed desktop-like service to the public. Based on this information, we will work with OnLive to take a closer look at its service and ensure it is operating according to its license like thousands of other partners and utilizing our standing pricing and licensing terms,” Microsoft said in a statement to The Register.

The migration to the Windows Server 2008 platform at OnLive was very quick as usually there a a lot of things you have to manage before you can do such a migration. Think about the applications running on the desktop which need to be compatible and sometimes certified to the new operating system. In case of Office 2010 it should’t be a real challenge.

It would be interesting if OnLive is now in a real OS-sharing scenario with Windows Server 2008 where they’re using the Terminal Services to offer the desktop or if they’re using Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition to host a maximum of Windows Server 2008 instances and offer them as full Windows based desktops with a customized look and feel like Windows 7 has.

It’s still a miracle to me why Microsoft is not going to relax the rules on Windows 7 hosting.

Link: http://www.techspot.com/news/48135-onlive-desktop-changes-os-to-windows-server2008.html

Here a quick reminder for all readers based in Germany or German speakers. On 6th June 2012 the German ThinApp Community will have the next virtual meeting. I already posted an announcement for that on the German language Blog but wanted to make sure that really everyone knows about it. This time a customer will give the presentation and talk about their experience with ThinApp in a Windows 7 migration project. If you’re interested please follow the link and get more information about the event. You never heard about the German ThinApp Community? Please also check the link and get registered for it! The community consists of several VMware customers who’ve great experience in application virtualization. During the online and also face to face meetings you’ll get into great discussions and share ideas with loads of fantastic brains.

By the way the community is planning a new face to face one day before vForum in Frankfurt.

Link: http://de.thatsmyview.net/2012/03/15/thinapp-community-webex-am-06-juni-2012-migration-auf-windows-7-kundenvortrag/