Differences Between Shared and Custom NxTops
NxTops can be shared or custom. The main difference between shared and custom is that a:
- Shared NxTop propagates updates of the base image to all assigned users automatically.
- Custom NxTop locks its base image when assigned to a user. While the base image can be updated, the changes are not updated on client computers.
Other differences include:
| Shared NxTop | Custom NxTop |
|---|---|
|
When shut down, discards the OS differencing disk of changes to the system disk collected during the session. |
OS changes made during a session persist between sessions. |
| Intentional or unintentional changes to the OS the NxTop are discarded at the end of a user session; the NxTop snaps back to its published state to start each new session clean1. Applications - including malware, spyware, and trackers that would eventually slow down the computer - not included in the NxTop image are discarded. | Changes, additions, or updates to the OS - intentional or not - are retained as the NxTop is used. |
| Does not retain system changes as part of backup; backup only includes user data updates2. | Saves OS and system changes as part of backup. |
| Supports one-to-many management - create and manage a single NxTop image (virtual machine) and publish it to thousands of users; ensures consistency and currency in NxTops used in the field. | NxTop image set at the time of assignment. To update users, need to assign a different Custom NxTop. |
Notes:
- Snapback may be disabled using a setting in the OS Profile Policy assigned to the NxTop. When snapback is re-enabled, all accumulated changes between when snapback was disabled and when it was re-enabled are discarded.
- Files, folders, and registry entries can be defined to be retained and/or backed up using OS Profile definitions.
Both Shared and Custom NxTops:
- backup and restore user data
- can be assigned at a NxTop, Group or User level; user-specific personality, data, settings, and applications are applied dynamically before the virtual machine runs
- can be assigned policies and virtual applications at a NxTop, Group, or individual user level
- can migrate user data to a new NxTop of the same operating system
- can migrate NxTops to between computers