Virtualized Application Container for Cross-Platform Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of applications on computing devices is complex and often requires administrator privileges, leading to security compromises when trying to ensure network security, and interactions between applications can result in errors during installation, uninstallation, or upgrades.
Innovation Solution
The development of virtualized applications that are pre-configured as single-executable files, allowing them to execute without installation on any computing device, isolated from the host operating system, and capable of sharing memory between processes, thus reducing setup and configuration complexity and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications are installed on computing devices, then applications can be executed, but installation complexity increases and administrator privileges are required
Solution Approach 1:
The application is segmented into two parts: a virtualized application container (VAC) that contains all application files and dependencies, and a host operating system that provides execution environment. This segmentation allows the application to run without traditional installation processes, as the VAC is self-contained and can be executed directly.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtualization layer acts as an intermediary between the application and the host operating system. This intermediary provides the necessary system components and runtime environment within the VAC, eliminating the need for administrator privileges and complex installation processes while enabling application execution.
2Reliability
If security measures are configured on computing devices, then network security is protected, but application compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The VAC creates a segmented execution environment that isolates the application from the host operating system's security restrictions. Within the VAC, all necessary system components and dependencies are self-contained, allowing applications to run with full functionality while the host system maintains its security configuration unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The VAC provides local quality by creating a customized execution environment tailored to each application's specific requirements. Each VAC contains only the necessary system components and dependencies for that particular application, allowing it to run in secured environments without requiring changes to the host system's security posture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are installed on computing devices, then application functionality increases, but interactions between applications introduce errors
Solution Approach 1:
Each application is packaged in its own separate VAC, creating isolated execution environments. This segmentation prevents interactions between different applications that could cause errors, as each VAC contains its own private copy of system components and dependencies. Multiple applications can run simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The VAC creates private copies of necessary system components and dependencies within each application container. Instead of sharing common system resources that could lead to conflicts, each application gets its own isolated copy, ensuring stable execution even when multiple applications with different requirements run concurrently.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of virtualizing an application to execute on a plurality of operating systems without installation. The method includes creating an input configuration file for each operating system. The templates each include a collection of configurations that were made by the application during installation on a computing device executing the operating system. The templates are combined into a single application template having a layer including the collection of configurations for each operating system. The collection of configurations includes files and registry entries. The collections also identifies and configures environmental variables, systems, and the like. Files in the collection of configurations and references to those files may be replaced with references to files stored on installation media. The application template is used to build an executable of the virtualized application. The application template may be incorporated into a manifest listing other application templates and made available to users from a website.