Abstract: A technique deploys a virtualization layer underneath an operating system executing on a node of a network environment to enable the virtualization layer to control the operating system is described. One or more executables (binaries) for the virtualization layer may be included in a kernel module loaded in memory of the node with a first privilege level (e.g., highest privilege level) needed to control the guest operating system. The kernel module may be configured to suspend the guest operating system and one or more hardware resources to a quiescent state. Furthermore, the kernel module is configured to (i) capture and save states of the hardware resource(s) and (ii) bootstrap the virtualization layer to create a virtual machine with an initial state that corresponds to a state of the system prior to deployment of the virtualization layer.

Abstract: A late load technique deploys a virtualization layer underneath an operating system executing on a node of a network environment to enable the virtualization layer to control the operating system. Binary executable files (binaries) for the virtualization layer may be included in a ring 0 driver loaded in memory of the node with the highest privilege level (e.g., host mode ring 0) needed to control the guest operating system. The ring 0 driver may request allocation of physical memory from the guest operating system for the virtualization layer and thereafter suspend the guest operating system and hardware resources of the node in a deterministic manner. The ring 0 driver may capture architectural states of those resources, which are used to create a virtual machine and virtual devices having initial states that are substantially identical to the states of the operating system and hardware resources at the time of suspension.

Abstract: According to a system and method for composing a virtual disk for a virtual desktop, the virtual desktop is booted from a virtual disk comprised of a base disk image and a user delta disk image that receives all disk writes to the virtual disk. Disk space is allocated on the virtual disk for a file associated with a selected application to be provided to a user of the virtual desktop. Then the virtual desktop is recomposed offline by linking the base disk image, an application delta disk image including the file associated with the selected application, and the user delta disk image. The recomposing includes modifying meta data of the application delta disk and the user delta disk so that the file associated with the selected application is mapped to the disk space previously allocated.

Abstract: According to a system and method, for composing a virtual disk for a virtual desktop, the virtual desktop is booted from a virtual disk comprised of a base disk image and a user delta disk image that receives all disk writes to the virtual disk. Disk space is allocated on the virtual disk for a file associated with a selected application to be provided to a user of the virtual desktop. Then the virtual desktop is recomposed offline by linking the bass disk image, an application delta disk image including the file associated with the selected application, and the user delta disk image. The recomposing includes modifying meta data of the application delta disk and the user delta disk so that the file associated with the selected application is mapped to the disk space previously allocated.

Abstract: According to a system and method for composing a virtual disk for a virtual desktop, the virtual desktop is booted from a virtual disk comprised of a base disk image and a user delta disk image that receives all disk writes to the virtual disk. Disk space is allocated on the virtual disk for a file associated with a selected application to be provided to a user of the virtual desktop. Then the virtual desktop is recomposed offline by linking the base disk image, an application delta disk image including the file associated with the selected application, and the user delta disk image. The recomposing includes modifying meta data of the application delta disk and the user delta disk so that the file associated with the selected application is mapped to the disk space previously allocated.

Abstract: A technique for composing a virtual desktop associated with one or more applications in a virtualized computing environment. The technique includes generating file system level metadata in the desktop image for applications that create a perception that data blocks in the desktop image have been allocated to applications, but not actually copying any of the application data into the allocated blocks. Instead, the technique builds a mapping table between disk block numbers and the application data, which can be stored in a separate application store. The disclosed techniques provide a more efficient way to compose a virtual desktop, compared to current virtual desktop adoption techniques.

Abstract: A technique for composing a virtual desktop associated with one or more applications in a virtualized computing environment. The technique includes generating file system level metadata in the desktop image for applications that create a perception that data blocks in the desktop image have been allocated to applications, but not actually copying any of the application data into the allocated blocks. Instead, the technique builds a mapping table between disk block numbers and the application data, which can be stored in a separate application store. The disclosed techniques provide a more efficient way to compose a virtual desktop, compared to current virtual desktop adoption techniques.