DESKTOP TRANSFORMATION
Managing the desktop lifecycle continues to be one of the most demanding and costly elements of IT operations.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has long promised to be the answer to this problem but has proven to be costly and complex to deploy resulting in IT managers parking VDI as a solution. However, the demands to refresh aging Windows XP estates and coping with BYOD has caused IT managers to think again and the ever improving price performance ratio offered by the latest Intel processors coupled with massive reductions in RAM costs has changed the dynamics of VDI.
SOLUTION CHOICES
VDI solutions fall into two categories which are rapidly converging.
The first category is shared session technology now referred to as Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) which is based on Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and often referred to as Terminal Services. Citrix XenApp is an enhancement of Terminal Services for enterprise scalability.
VDI SOFTWARE
Both RDSH and RDVH solution types requires VDI software to automate and secure the provisioning and brokering processes. The choice of VDI software is a key design decision and it is recommended that a specialist who has knowledge of all VDI types is engaged to guide through the options. Nviron can provide this advice.
VDI INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION
BEST FOR
Microsoft RDS Hyper-V optimisation, lowest licencing cost, RDSH and RDVH co-existence.
Dell Quest vWorkspace Hyper-V optimisation, high latency links, clients for wide range of devices, performance optimisation, RDSH and RDVH co-existence. Citrix XenDesktop Wide hypervisor support, high latency links, clients for wide range of
devices, RDSH (XenApp) and RDVH co-existence, existing Citrix users, large scale complex deployments.
Citrix VDI in a Box RDVH is only requirement, no SAN deployment, simplicity.
VMware View RDVH is only requirement, existing VMware users seeking alternatives to Microsoft.
Nviron uses its own VDI options scoring tool complemented by in house expertise of all the major VDI solutions to help you make an informed decision.
DELL DVS REFERENCE ARCHITECTURES
To de-risk VDI projects Nvrion has adopted Dell DVS reference architectures as its primary engagement model.
DVS reference architectures are available for Quest vWorkspace, Citrix XenDesktop, Citrix VDI in a Box, VMware View and Microsoft RDS.
The compute power required to support a given user base is defined in detail giving the re-assurance that the solution will deliver the required end user experience.
The IOPS required to support a VDI workload are a key design consideration. The Dell DVS reference architecture fully addresses this issue by providing for the IOPS via internal server or external SAN storage tiers.
LICENSING
Licensing VDI is an important consideration and can account for a large proportion of the once off and ongoing costs.
The Microsoft license costs apply regardless of VDI software chosen. At a high level the following rules apply:
Each device connecting to a virtual machine running on a RDVH hypervisor must have either a full Windows desktop license with current Software Assurance (SA) or a current VDA subscription. Both these models provide access rights when the regular user of the corporate license is using a device external to the corporate network. This does not apply to BYOD devices brought into the workplace which must be separately licensed via VDA or a Windows 8 companion subscription.
Each device or user connecting to a shared session running on a RDSH server must have a Microsoft RDS CAL. When a user based CAL model is in place a remote user can access from any device. When technically appropriate RDSH VDI offers the lowest cost license model.
APPLICATION VIRTUALISATION
Application virtualisation technology is complementary to VDI and can simplify deployment where it is not feasible to include all possible application combinations into a single “gold” image. Application Virtualisation solutions such as Microsoft APP-V stream a user’s application set into their session on an on demand basis after logon.
TRUSTED PARTNER
Nviron is accredited with all the leading VDI vendors and equally importantly is a Microsoft Gold Partner capable of integrating solutions with Active Directory and associated “follow me file systems” to support user state virtualisation which is key to the end user any device roaming experience.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Nviron Limited, Chester Road, Preston Brook, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 3FR, United Kingdom
Telephone : +44 (0)1928 809000
Fax : +44 (0)1928 804000
General enquiries: [email protected]
Sales enquiries: [email protected]
www.nviron.co.uk
HOW TO FIND US
From M56, leave Motorway at Junction 11, take the exit signposted A56 Preston Brook.
Follow this road for roughly 1 mile, go straight over the roundabout in front of the O2 building.
About 400 metres after this roundabout, there are a small number of office buildings on the right.
