A vApp is a container, similar to a resource pool, but with some virtual machine-like functionalities. vSphere is used as a platform for running applications and virtual machines. vApps can be used to package and manage these applications so that they are able to run directly on top of vSphere. Many vendors use vApps as a way to package their applications for quick deployment. For example, VMware has made vCenter Operations Manager available in a vApp format. If you use or administer VMware vCloud Director, then you may be familiar with vApps. Keep in mind that vSphere vApps are slightly different from those available in vCloud.

Since a vApp is a resource pool with extra functionality, it's recommended that resource pools and virtual machines not be made sibling objects within a hierarchy because, by default, resource pools are assigned shares that may not appropriately compare to those assigned to a virtual machine, which can potentially cause performance issues.

vApps offer...