Desktop virtualization

Abstract: Idle desktop systems are frequently left powered, often because of applications that maintain network presence or to enable potential remote access. Unfortunately, an idle PC consumes up to 60% of its peak power. Solutions have been proposed that perform consolidation of idle desktop virtual machines. However, desktop VMs are often large requiring gigabytes of memory. Consolidating such VMs, creates bulk network transfers lasting in the order of minutes, and utilizes server memory inefficiently. When multiple VMs migrate simultaneously, each VM's experienced migration latency grows, and this limits the use of VM consolidation to environments in which only a few daily migrations are expected for each VM. This paper introduces Partial VM Migration, a technique that transparently migrates only the working set of an idle VM. Jettison, our partial VM migration prototype, can deliver 85% to 104% of the energy savings of full VM migration, while using less than 10% as much network re- sources, and providing migration latencies that are two to three orders of magnitude smaller.

Abstract: Advancements in cloud computing enable the easy deployment of numerous services. However, the analysis of cloud service access platforms from a client perspective shows that maintaining and managing clients remain a challenge for end users. In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of an asymmetric virtual machine monitor (AVMM), which is an asymmetric partitioning-based bare-metal approach that achieves near-native performance while supporting a new out-of-operating system mechanism for value-added services. To achieve these goals, AVMM divides underlying platforms into two asymmetric partitions: a user partition and a service partition. The user partition runs a commodity user OS, which is assigned to most of the underlying resources, maintaining end-user experience. The service partition runs a specialized OS, which consumes only the needed resources for its tasks and provides enhanced features to the user OS. AVMM considerably reduces virtualization overhead through two approaches: 1) Peripheral devices, such as graphics equipment, are assigned to be monopolized by a single user OS. 2) Efficient resource management mechanisms are leveraged to alleviate complicated resource sharing in existing virtualization technologies. We implement a prototype that supports Windows and Linux systems. Experimental results show that AVMM is a feasible and efficient approach to client virtualization.

Abstract: Virtualization and Forensics: A Digital Forensic Investigators Guide to Virtual Environments provides an introduction to virtualized environments and their implications on forensic investigations. It emphasizes the need for organizations using virtualization to be proactive rather than reactive. Being proactive means learning the methods in this book to train staff, so when an incident occurs, they can quickly perform the forensics and minimize the damage to their systems. The book is organized into three parts. Part I deals with the virtualization process and the different types of virtualized environments. It explains how virtualization happens along with the various methods of virtualization, hypervisors, and the main categories of virtualization. It discusses server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and the various portable virtualization programs, emulators, and appliances. Part II details how virtualization interacts with the basic forensic process. It describes the methods used to find virtualization artifacts in dead and live environments, and identifies the virtual activities that affect the examination process. Part III addresses advanced virtualization issues, such as the challenges of virtualized environments, cloud computing, and the future of virtualization.Named a 2011 Best Digital Forensics Book by InfoSec ReviewsGives you the end-to-end knowledge needed to identify server, desktop, and portable virtual environments, including: VMware, Parallels, Microsoft, and SunCovers technological advances in virtualization tools, methods, and issues in digital forensic investigationsExplores trends and emerging technologies surrounding virtualization technology

Abstract: Virtual workplace server software may be selected for and/or provided to an organization server based on various characteristics of the organization. One or more inputs may be received corresponding to organization characteristics, for example, organization type and size, along with other potential organization characteristics and additional relevant information. Based on the organization characteristics and/or other relevant information, virtual workplace software may be selected for an organization server. The selection of the virtual workplace software may be output and/or the corresponding software may be downloaded and installed to provide desktop virtualization at the organization server. After the virtual workplace software is installed at a desktop virtualization server, the software may be used to provide virtual desktops to authorized end users and management functionality to authorized administrators.