Data

Tools

Indexes

Applications

Experiments

Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment

Portable platform and software environment for Microsoft Windows based on a virtual drive
https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment

environment ide launcher modular module modules platform portable virtualization windows

Last synced: about 2 months ago
JSON representation

Portable platform and software environment for Microsoft Windows based on a virtual drive

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

        


   

  

  

  




# Description

Since about 2010, there is the project of a virtual environment with modular

structure for developers and users, so that they can use a completely

pre-configured environment with all programs, tools and services, without the

host environment interfering with the running operating system and devouring

resources.



Short setup times, uniform tools with uniform configuration, uniform paths in

the file system, centralized maintenance and easy distribution and updating are

some of the benefits. The environment is easily customizable, can be quickly

switched to use for different projects, and the environment can be easily

transferred to other machines where work started can be continued.



__The project includes with [platform](platform), a tool for the initial

creation, use and management of the virtual environment and a

[module concept](modules) for the automatic integration and configuration of

tools and programs from any source on the Internet.__



__The module concept is a successful PoC (proof of concept), but is not

currently the focus of the project. So the software has to be set up manually

in the virtual environment, but that's easy because it's a normal drive.__



Since in large companies the strict use of BitLocker is often required, this is

also supported.



__What is the difference with PortableApps.com or portapps.io?__



The virtual environment focuses on the virtual drive as a platform. It is about

the advantages that the platform can be used as a single file and programs and

services can be used in it with a complete configuration and with reliable

absolute paths.



The integration and distribution of portable applications are not the ambition

of this project.



The use of modules for the integration of programs and services is planned, but

is more an exemplification of the possibilities for the integration of programs

and services. However, it is not the intention of the project to establish a

corresponding eco-system or repository.



[PortableApps.com](https://portableapps.com/apps) and

[portapps.io](https://portapps.io/apps) complement the virtual environment

perfectly and both release very good portable versions of programs that can be

used in the virtual environment.



## Advantages

- A virtual drive is used, which contains all data in one file.

- The drives can also be supplied and used via the network.

- Only one large file can be copied faster and also shared.

- Snapshots and versioning are possible.

- Multiple drives with different environments can be used in parallel on one computer. 

- Fast switching between different drives and environments is possible.

- Fixed drive letters and paths are used.

- The use of the file system and registry from the host is avoided.

- Environments can be maintained and distributed centrally.

- A team use the same environment with the same paths and configurations, which facilitates automation.



# Features

- Supports VHD, VHDX as virtual drive also with Bitlocker

- Functions to create, launch, manage and compact the environment

- The environment is immediately usable after creation

- Integrated program launcher with optimized keyboard support for fast program access

- Personalization of environment and programs through a separate key values file

- Very small and resource-efficient implementation of the platform

- The use of the local file system and the registry is avoided

- Easy customization according to the requirements

- Simplifies centralized maintenance and distribution

- Simplifies automation



# Licence Agreement

LIZENZBEDINGUNGEN - Seanox Software Solutions ist ein Open-Source-Projekt, im

Folgenden Seanox Software Solutions oder kurz Seanox genannt.



Diese Software unterliegt der Version 2 der Apache License.



Copyright (C) 2024 Seanox Software Solutions



Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use

this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the

License at



https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0



Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed

under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR

CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the

specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.



# System Requirement

- Microsoft Windows 10 or higher

- Microsoft .NET 4.8.x or higher (for runtime)

- [Microsoft .NET 4.8.x Developer Pack or higher](

      https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48) (for development only)



# Downloads

[Seanox Virtual Environment 3.5.0](https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment/releases/download/3.5.0/seanox-platform-3.5.0.zip)  

[Seanox Virtual Environment 3.5.0 Update](https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment/releases/download/3.5.0/seanox-platform-3.5.0-update.zip) for existing environment



## Example

Download the master templates as virtual environments (approx __4 GB__ /

last update 2024-09-20):  

https://seanox.com/storage/master-3.6.0.7z  

https://seanox.com/storage/master-proxy-3.6.0.7z



Included is a complete development environment with various tools for AWS,

Kubernetes, Terraform, Java and Node.js, including a customized Eclipse, a

PostgreSQL database and much more.



Start `master.exe B: attach`.



The host key combination for the launcher: `Win + ESC`



To exit, use the Detach button at the bottom right of the launcher.






## Use the examples as a template for your own environment

- Download the example(s)

- Rename `master.exe`, `master.ini` and `master.vhdx` to your name



Next steps are optional and after attaching



- Change the label of the virtual disk (properties of disk)

- Change the name of the virtual volume in `AutoRun.inf`



# Usage

- Download the last release of [seanox-platform.zip](#downloads)

- Extract the file to any location in the local file system

- Rename __platform.exe__ to the name that will be used for the environment and drive



Then the program can be used as follows::



`usage: platform.exe A-Z: [create|attach|detach|compact|shortcuts]  `



Example

- `platform.exe B: create` to create the initial environment as VHDX

- `platform.exe B: shortcuts` to create the usual calls as shortcuts

- `platform.exe B: attach` to attach the environment



Configure __Startup.cmd__ in the root directory of the virtual environment and

add the desired programs and services. It is recommended to use a launcher so

that the environment variables are available to the called programs. Detach

should also be started via the launcher if programs and services are terminated

when detaching and the environment variables are needed for this.



- `platform.exe B: detach` to detach the environment

- `platform.exe B: compact` to compact the virtual disk



__Module integration will come later, but will be similar.__






# Changes

## 3.5.0 20240706  

BF: DiskPart: Optimization of attach  

BF: DiskPart: Optimization of detach if an error occurs  

BF: DiskPart: Optimization of compact  

BF: Platform: Correction if no .ini file exists  

CR: Platform: Optimization of output/logging  



[Read more](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/seanox/virtual-environment/main/CHANGES)



# Contact

[Issues](https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment/issues)  

[Requests](https://github.com/seanox/virtual-environment/pulls)  

[Mail](https://seanox.com/contact)