On-Demand Application Mounting for Virtual Desktops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating systems face challenges in managing and delivering applications, particularly handler applications, in virtualized environments, leading to resource inefficiencies, user dissatisfaction, and increased load on infrastructure due to the need for upfront installation and network streaming, which results in delays and poor launch performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for on-demand application mounting, where an applications manager filter driver intercepts requests for unmounted document handlers, allowing the application volumes manager to mount the appropriate virtual disk or application stack, enabling users to access applications only when needed, thereby reducing resource usage and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications are pre-installed on user desktops, then users can access applications immediately, but this ties up valuable licenses and increases resource consumption for applications that may never be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-assigning applications to users through entitlement mechanisms, but delays the actual installation action until the user first launches the application. This allows the system to prepare the deployment infrastructure in advance while avoiding premature license consumption and resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic application deployment where the installation state transitions from uninstalled to installed based on user behavior. Applications are dynamically installed at first launch rather than being statically pre-installed, allowing the system to adapt resource allocation to actual usage patterns and reduce wasted license consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network streaming is used to deliver application binaries upon login, then applications can be delivered to stateless desktops, but this creates significant delays and user dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application binary delivery process from the login sequence. Instead of streaming application binaries during login, the system separates login completion from application installation, allowing users to log in immediately to a clean stateless desktop while application installations occur asynchronously in the background or on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary entitlement assignment during login without performing the actual application installation. Application binaries are prepared for deployment in advance through entitlement mechanisms, but the actual installation is deferred to occur after login completion, eliminating login delays while maintaining stateless desktop benefits.
3Ease of manufacture
If application binaries are transferred across the network to local drive, then applications can be installed, but this creates significant load on storage and CPU systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service application deployment where the application installation process is automated based on user entitlement and first-launch events. The system automatically handles binary transfer, installation, and configuration without requiring manual user intervention or intensive centralized processing, reducing the perceived load on storage and CPU systems.
4Productivity
If traditional installer-based software distribution is used, then applications are installed at first login or maintenance window, but this ties up licenses for applications users may never use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static pre-installation into dynamic on-demand installation. Applications are configured as entitled but remain uninstalled until the user actually launches them. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high productivity in software distribution while optimizing license utilization by only installing applications that are actually used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary entitlement assignment and application selection based on user profiles, but delays the actual installation action until first launch. This preliminary configuration enables efficient software distribution planning while avoiding premature license consumption and improving overall license utilization metrics.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments perform automatic document handling by retrieving icons from local document handlers or from an application volumes manager, without installing the application locally. Embodiments further perform on-demand application mounting by intercepting and suspending requests to launch applications until the appropriate virtual disk, corresponding to the application, is mounted to the disk subsystem by the application volumes manager. The application launch is then resumed.