Virtual Desktop Infrastructure -- A Necessity Today

Virtualization has been the talk of the computing world for it has modified and transformed many facets in the IT field. Virtualization can be referred as modifying or creating a virtual version of storage device, hardware or operating system, network in terms of computing. Desktop Virtualization is a virtualization technology that separates a computer desktop environment from a physical computer. It is like you can interact with a virtual desktop in the same way you would use a physical desktop. This virtualization is considered to be a type of client-server computing model as the virtualized desktop is stored on a centralized or remote server and not on the physical machine. Many companies have started up this powerful solution in their business to reduce the administrative and management workloads and to protect from potential dangers.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a desktop virtualization technique that helps users to run desktop operating systems and applications inside virtual machines that resides on a server in the data center. Desktop operating systems inside virtual machines are referred to as virtual desktops. With the help of these virtual desktops, availability and efficiency of resources and applications can be improved. It is reported that about 70% of a typical IT budget in a non-virtualized data center applies for maintenance with a little or none left for innovation. But Virtual desktops bring transition from ‘one server, one application’ model to running multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine, thereby reducing the maintenance costs and safeguarding the resources.

VDI has become a major necessity because the rapid evolution in technology, agility in business processes and data storage requirements make it difficult for businesses to stay competitive with the existing resources. In enterprises, managing a great number of computing desktops is a hard task. Involving virtual desktops instead of laptops can save huge sums on infrastructure maintenance. Also it promotes multi-tasking with several applications running on a single physical server. VDI reduces the management tasks, provides network security, can easily back up data and power consumption can also be minimized. Different architectures are available for virtual desktops but the most popular is a configuration with a client connecting to a server running the virtual desktop. VDI simulates a copy of desktop with its OS, software applications document and other data that are stored and run entirely from the server. Users can access their desktop remotely from an endpoint device, just like they access on a physical one. Few components are necessary for desktop virtualization.

-Physical PC(s)/ server(s) is a physical environment in which all data are executed and stored.
-Hypervisor (virtual machine manager) is software capable of creating and hosting multiple virtual machines.
-Virtual desktop agent is a connection broker to manage the desktop and for connection to the user’s client device through a remote session protocol. It usually consists of management console and remote desktop display protocol.
-Client machines / endpoint device is a physical device used to see and control the user’s virtual desktop.

The PC/servers use the hypervisor to create a virtual machine that simulates the same capabilities of the physical desktop computers. Virtual machines connect over LAN to specialized endpoint devices at the user’s location that are in turn connected to peripherals to make a complete system.

SUNDE is a global provider of zero client endpoint for VDI with their own, free proprietary protocol: SUNDE-VDI for communication and uses VirtualBox (hypervisor) for creating virtual machines. SUNDE-VDI provides better performance; video play is fast, smooth, seamless and of high quality in LAN environment. These require efficient bandwidth and stable network environment.

Benefits:

--It only takes less than fifteen minutes to set up a new VDI workstation than a traditional one and user training is not required. A library of VDI images can be created within the data centre forming a common pool and they can be monitored, backed up, upgraded or updated and utilized due to the centralized control and scalable management.

--More cost effective since purchase and replacement costs, warranty fees can be saved as VDI lasts longer (typically 7-10 years). Less power consumption and reduced emission of carbons save huge expenses. No local PC storage and data loss due to hardware failures or theft of laptops can be eliminated.

--Security management, monitoring and control over clients and network ensure data security. Troubleshooting problems and modifying configurations of desktop resources occur rapidly without travelling to user’s location. Virtual desktops appear flexible and are customized with specific settings of users’ choice. Multiple OS can co-exist on the same server and reduces conflicts.

--Desktop virtualization is an emerging state of art in the computing technology which has become a deadly need of every IT company.VDI must be adopted by companies because of the following key drivers: providing a native Windows desktop and decreasing cost of ownership (TCO). Also it provides minimized dependency, agility in business and network security.

Contact us : http://www.sundenc.com

Article submitted by: SUNDE is a global provider of virtual desktop solutions with zero clientsfor Terminal Services and Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDI).

Difference Between VDI and Cloud Computing

Interested for a hassle-free business environment with less managing and security chores? Present innovations in technology bring forth your desire to achieve in your business through the Cloud Computing and Virtualization methods. These terms are a little unclear to many users and newbie of the techno world. Also it’s significant to know and understand the uniqueness and differences of these technologies for a business firm so as to adopt and utilize their services.

Virtualization, a form of cloud computing, is narrowing down your business space and management through virtual machines. It can be performed with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) technique using a centralized data center from which data can be accessed through single server by many virtual desktops. Through VDI, one can run multiple operating systems and applications on numerous virtual desktops eliminating ‘one server-one application’ model. VDI consists of a physical server/PC, a hypervisor to manage the virtual machines, a virtual remote desktop agent to manage and control the desktops using management console and software protocol, and endpoint devices. VDI helps to reduce the purchase of numerous hardware and other equipments. They enhance power efficiency and produces less e-waste.

Cloud Computing is another techno buzz that offers many benefits to businesses. In simple words, it refers to the process of saving and acquiring the access of data and other programs over the internet instead of using the hard drive. ‘Cloud’ is the metaphor for the internet. Today resources are limited but demands of the users grow exceedingly. This can be leveraged and helped by cloud computing. Cloud based services provide data and resources of high scalability to drive your businesses upfront. You can scale up or down your work and storage depending on the situation. They provide agility of processes due to shared infrastructure and assist to increase your revenue in market by reducing the infrastructure costs.

VDI denotes the centralization of desktop computing whereas cloud computing denotes consolidation of servers into one single resource pool or cloud. Cloud computing constructs and controls a server-side resource pool (cloud) whereas VDI acquires and controls a client-side resource pool (virtual desktop). With VDI, you can prevent breaching of data and data loss in a firm due to hardware failure or data theft because all the data and applications are consolidated and stored in a single server within the centralized data center. Though cloud computing is secure, personalized information can sometimes be breached through hacking (cyber attack) of the internet because the applications and data are accessed over the internet. The virtual resources connected in cloud are cheaper than the physical resources connected to a personal PC or network. You can use the apps that suit your business from the cloud service provider and pay for what you use only. But VDI requires the purchase of all the four components from vendors to suit your business.

VDI denotes the centralization of desktop computing whereas cloud computing denotes consolidation of servers into one single resource pool or cloud. Cloud computing constructs and controls a server-side resource pool (cloud) whereas VDI acquires and controls a client-side resource pool (virtual desktop). With VDI, you can prevent breaching of data and data loss in a firm due to hardware failure or data theft because all the data and applications are consolidated and stored in a single server within the centralized data center. Though cloud computing is secure, personalized information can sometimes be breached through hacking (cyber attack) of the internet because the applications and data are accessed over the internet. The virtual resources connected in cloud are cheaper than the physical resources connected to a personal PC or network. You can use the apps that suit your business from the cloud service provider and pay for what you use only. But VDI requires the purchase of all the four components from vendors to suit your business.

Finally VDI can fix up the large enterprises who toil through the security and management routine whereas Cloud Computing can be utilized by small to mid-sized firms for enhanced performance. It is wise for a firm to assert its needs and then choose on what technology best fits them.

Article submitted by: http://www.sundenc.com

Can SUNDE Co-work with other Platforms?

Virtualization offers quality solutions to business through easy management and administration of IT chores; minimizing hardware costs and secured network. SUNDE provides such quality based desktop virtualization results by creating virtual machines in a firm thereby promoting their fruitful growth. SUNDE technology renders true zero clients for desktop computing which includes H4 zero clients for terminal services and Diana zero clients for VDI. While SUNDE offers significant benefits of desktop computing to customers, many consumers often raise queries on SUNDE zero clients’ support over Citrix, VMware or Microsoft Hyper V? Some may had been their customers but when they want to switch over, compatibility issues arise.

While considering H4 zero clients, they enable multi-users to share untapped resources from and within the single PC/server and doesn’t virtualizes. They use Microsoft’s standard RDP for communication and NetPoint software to achieve cost-effective access to applications. This RDP can access any number of desktops supporting RDP, including the virtual machines created by the hypervisors of VMware, Citrix or Microsoft Hyper-V.

In the case of Diana zero clients, they’re more advanced creating virtual desktops managed by VM hypervisors supporting HD video play and delivering the full ability of a native Windows desktop. There are two considerations available when questioning the co-working option of SUNDE Diana for VDI.

Citrix users will be provided with Citrix XenServer which is a server virtualization feature that helps to manage and consolidate data centers into dynamic state. First consideration is that when the customers use platforms that virtualize physical servers transforming them to run multiple application servers and enhancing server utilization, then SUNDE zero clients can be used for building the desktop environment with virtual desktops to access the application servers. This boosts up the functionality and efficacy of the system.

The second consideration is that when the customer uses the products of Citrix – XenDesktop which is a desktop virtualization feature that delivers a complete Windows desktop experience allowing remote access and integrated security, then SUNDE zero clients cannot be adopted since the user had already moved onto desktop virtualization and SUNDE will not be compatible. Similar to Citrix, the same considerations apply for VMware and Hyper V offerings.

Be it H4 for terminal servers or Diana for VDI, SUNDE technology can co-exist and work with other platforms thus enabling users to attain stream-lined data integrity and high productivity in the IT market.

SUNDE is working with you to bring new ideas to life in IT sector. Get in touch with SUNDE by contacting by email at info@hy-elect.com or by phone at 0086-20-3229381. For more information, please visit www.sundenc.com.

VDI Architectures and Endpoints

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, or VDI, is a desktop computing architecture that centralizes the desktop operating system and applications on Virtual Machines, or VMs, running on a hypervisor on a shared physical server in the data center. VDI promises significant benefits in containing and reducing the management and support burden of delivering desktop computing. VDI, unlike earlier end-user virtualization approaches like terminal services and application virtualization, is intended to deliver the full capabilities of a native Windows desktop to users.

All of the many technological and architectural approaches to VDI share the common goal of freeing the user’s desktop computing environment (and in turn the supporting IT staff) from the constraints and problems associated with deploying, maintaining, securing, and running Windows on physically distributed personal computer hardware.

There are a wide range of >VDI architecture choices: what level of centralization, which hypervisors, management tools, and connection brokers to use; whether virtual desktops are only server-based or also client-based, etc. Possibly the most critical choice is the endpoint types or architecture. This choice will often drive many, if not all, of your other VDI architecture, technology, and vendor choices.

The four main types of VDI endpoints are blade PCs, software clients, thin clients and zero clients. Because they have captured the bulk of the current VDI market, this whitepaper looks in depth at thin clients and zero clients.

Five Key Factors for Choosing a VDI Endpoint VDI endpoints help deliver many of the benefits of deploying VDI. Five key factors in making a VDI endpoint choice are:

1. Improve Productivity – Stateless and management-free VDI endpoints can eliminate the need for IT staff to travel to users in order to resolve problems or perform maintenance. Deploying or replacing an endpoint should never require more than connecting wires and turning it on.

2. Simplify Adoption – Endpoints, and their supporting VDI software, should provide essentially the same user experience as native Windows running on the desktop PC they replaced. This not only saves time retraining users and support staff, but also simplifies supporting the large number of peripherals that users rely on.

3. Conserve Energy – Efficient VDI endpoints use just a few percent of the electricity consumed by desktop PCs, cutting substantially the electricity used to power and cool the devices. This savings alone could potentially pay for the VDI deployment in just a few years.

4. Strengthen Security – By not storing any data (even temporarily) on the endpoint, the risk to confidential data from malware, hardware failures, or endpoint theft can be eliminated. VDI endpoints should also not present any new security holes that malware could attack.

5. Slash TCO – The key overall driver for selecting VDI endpoints is the promise of radically lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while still delivering a reliable Windows-based desktop computing infrastructure. In addition to savings from higher IT productivity and energy savings, VDI endpoints should deliver further TCO savings by limiting costs from endpoint hardware and software, systems integration, and user or IT staff retraining.

These five benefits are the key drivers for the return on investments you can expect to realize from deploying VDI in place of traditional PCs. In order to achieve optimal results, it is critical to make careful choices in both the technical architectures and the products and vendors included in your VDI deployment plans.

As leading experts in VDI, SUNDE is working with you to bring new ideas to life in your IT field. Get in touch with SUNDE by contacting by email at info@hy-elect.com or by phone at 0086-20-3229381. For more information, please visit www.sundenc.com.