The expression desktop virtualization is related to multiple technologies (Terminal Services, Remote Desktop Services, VDI, Application Virtualization, DaaS…)
One of the main reasons why the number of VDI projects isn’t growing at the speed predicted by experts is that some IT departments aren’t capable of identifying a business problem for which the already said technology is a valid solution
Most IT departments have only undertaken server virtualization projects that have been a complete success for the organization itself in relatively recent time period, which would make it logical to think that the next natural step would be to undertake a desktop virtualization project. Unfortunately, in most cases they don’t take into account that these are completely different projects
Facing the challenge of outlining any desktop virtualization process, it helps to know the different desktop virtualization technologies and platform management methods that are currently available
Server-Hosted Virtual Desktops. These are known as SHVD (Server-Hosted Virtual Desktops)
It consists basically of a desktop operating system hosted on a virtual machine found in the Data Center, with each user having his or her own desktop. These desktops can be one of two different types:
In both cases, these virtual desktops can be accessed via LAN or WAN by using different remote protocols such as RDP, Remote FX, RGS, HDX or PCoIP
Client-Hosted Virtual Desktops. These are known as CHVD (Client-Hosted Virtual Desktops). Two types of hypervisors are involved in these platforms:
In a CHVD environment a template is created in the Data Center and is then deployed in the different client devices. Subsequently, this image is synchronized in the Data Center once the device is connected to it
These types of environments are aimed at client devices that move through areas in which connectivity with their Data Centers is practically non-existent
Presently, this technology brings about serious problems with applications connected to database servers and with the synchronization of user profiles
Terminal Services. Multiple users open different sessions on a single operating system and can show the entire desktop or just the window of the application selected by the user
Desktop as a Service (DaaS). It can’t be considered a technology in and of itself. Rather, it’s more of a pay model based on the consumption of resources of the desktops used. The service provider becomes the one responsible for maintaining the user stations (O.S., applications, user profiles, etc.), thus reducing the platform operating costs (Opex). The technology used will be whatever the service provider has decided to implement in their rented infrastructure
In both cases, we’re dealing with two terms that can be used in both traditional user station platforms and in virtual desktop environments. Occasionally, this is misinterpreted as desktop virtualization
Application virtualization.This was initially used to isolate applications that were incompatible in a single O.S. (for example, applications that use different versions of Java)
One advantage of application virtualization is the possibility of streaming the application, or using the application according to demand, without having to perform any kind of installation on the O.S. underneath it
In most cases, this technology is used thanks to the ease of deploying on-demand applications in accordance with departmental criteria
This technology allows IT departments to deploy applications based on layers:
In different environments, application virtualization can be very difficult to implement, particularly in proprietary applications and interrelated applications that share data with each other
User profiles. This methodology is based on isolating user profiles so that they can move between different desktops. This type of implementation is fundamental in non-persistent virtual desktop environments due to the aforementioned functioning thereof
Desktop virtualization is a mature enough technology for its adoption to result in multiple advantages, both for the user and for the administrator of the platform
It allows us to optimize exploitation costs and take full advantage of our resources, obtaining higher levels of security, flexibility and speed when carrying out deployments, which are attractive enough terms for information departments and CIOs, not to mention CEOs and financial departments
SSD disks. Using these types of disks, even in limited way, in shared storage reduces the probability of performance issues in virtual desktop platforms. The cost of this type of storage technology is getting lower and lower and produces extremely visible results regarding performance
GPU virtualization. This technology is used for high-performance virtual desktop environments (graphic work stations, engineering stations, etc.). It can be implemented in two ways:
Collaborative virtual desktop platforms. VDI desktop platforms tend to be systems that support and manage practically any service that a user can access or use (remote storage, multimedia storage, remote sessions on physical devices, etc.). These services can be interrelated among each other, forming “deployed services” sets available to the end user
Additionally, independent work groups or freelance developers will be able to incorporate new “access” or “service” models to these types of platforms that will automatically become available to the users
Open Source desktop. The choice of the O.S. will be much more open than it is nowadays. The O.S. of connected devices or of the virtual desktops themselves could be Linux, MacOS, Windows or any other system, with users being able to access the corporate applications from any of those. The criteria for using the O.S. will be determined by the adaptation of each user and work station, performance, features and costs
In organizations without special requirements, or in those that have followed a strategy of “freedom” with their infrastructures, systems with Linux and open code applications will become more and more common, as they will be able to obtain all of the features they need at zero acquisition cost. New collaborative applications based on the Internet will also incentivize the use of this architecture
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