On-Demand Application Delivery via Virtual Disk Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional virtual application delivery methods consume time and computing resources during boot or logon, as all applications are installed on computing devices regardless of usage, leading to unnecessary resource utilization and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an on-demand application delivery method where metadata for applications is received from an application management server upon user logon, displaying simulated shortcuts, and loading the application as a virtual disk only when needed, thereby reducing resource usage and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all applications are mounted during boot or logon in traditional virtual application delivery systems, then applications are available to users immediately, but computing resources and time are consumed unnecessarily for applications that may not be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating simulated shortcuts and metadata during logon, but delays the actual application mounting and delivery until the user selects and attempts to run a specific application. This preliminary setup of shortcuts without full application deployment resolves the contradiction by preparing the user interface in advance while postponing resource-intensive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts application delivery based on actual user behavior and selection. Instead of static pre-mounting all applications, the system transitions from a static pre-deployment model to a dynamic on-demand model where applications are mounted only when triggered by user interaction with simulated shortcuts, optimizing both responsiveness and resource utilization.
2Ease of operation
If all applications are mounted during boot or logon in traditional virtual application delivery systems, then applications are available to users immediately, but computing resources are consumed unnecessarily for applications that may not be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential metadata and simulated shortcut information during logon, separating this lightweight operation from the full application mounting process. The actual application binaries and resources are extracted and mounted only when specifically requested by user interaction, thereby reducing immediate computing resource consumption while maintaining application accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service application delivery where the user's selection of a simulated shortcut automatically triggers the on-demand mounting and delivery of that specific application. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for system-wide pre-mounting of all applications, allowing resources to be allocated only when and where needed based on actual user demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional virtual application delivery systems mount all applications, then complete application access is provided, but system performance is reduced due to unnecessary resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the application delivery process into distinct phases: metadata delivery and simulated shortcut creation during logon, followed by actual application mounting only when users interact with specific shortcuts. This segmentation separates the essential user interface preparation from the resource-intensive application deployment, maintaining complete application access while preserving system performance through selective loading.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an approach for on-demand application delivery. Embodiments include determining, by an application delivery component on a computing device, a user logon event. In response to the user logon event, embodiments include receiving, from an application management server separate from the computing device, shortcut information for a set of applications associated with the user and displaying, on the computing device, simulated shortcuts for the set of applications based on the shortcut information. Embodiments include receiving, at the computing device, user input selecting a simulated shortcut of the simulated shortcuts that corresponds to an application of the set of applications. In response to the user input, embodiments include obtaining an application package of the application from the application management server, loading the application on the computing device as a virtual disk based on the application package, and launching the application on the computing device using the virtual disk.