Virtualization and the changing Windows desktop

• Published: 03 Mar 2008

 New ideas, new terms: Fast-moving technology is changing the way IT managers are thinking about the desktop. Here are some basic definitions to help you keep in step with the concepts surrounding virtualization:

• Desktop virtualization – Also referred to as a virtual hosted desktop. There are several kinds. A user can run a virtualized operating system on a PC in a virtual machine. End users can also connect to a server to get a single remotely hosted desktop. A third method is commonly known as thin client architecture, where end users access a common desktop from a remote server.

   

• Application virtualization – This is the process of encapsulating applications in a virtual container on the desktop operating system, isolating them from other applications on the OS instance.

   

• Application streaming – Packaging and sending the application to the client, where it can then be executed locally even when the user is offline.

   

• Software as a service – Services that are remotely hosted, served and provisioned.

   

• Web 2.0 – Although the term can be construed as a marketing buzzword, it can also be thought of as an overarching term that refers to Web-based services and collaboration.

   

• Office 2.0 – This is something of a subset to Web 2.0., except it's related to office-type applications such as word processing and spreadsheets done via teamwork.

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