To virtualize your desktops, or not to virtualize…

What if you could reduce hardware costs, lower your power bills, deploy new platforms faster, reduce support costs and run your systems with more uptime than you do now?

That’s why virtual desktops are a hot topic.

Desktop virtualization is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of managing a desktop network, but behind the scenes, where it is invisible to the user. Users’ apps and desktop are available, but actually run from a virtual machine in the data center.

How does this translate into an advantage for you?

• It takes centralized management of workstations to the next step. Every station runs on a locked-down server, and can quickly be recreated after a failure.
• Less-expensive desktop equipment can be used in shops and manufacturing, where it’s likely to be damaged.
• Desktops can easily be wiped and replaced for users who are prone to viruses.
• Servers are generally backed up daily, so little or no data is lost in a crash.
• School districts can prevent intrepid students from making inappropriate changes -- and if they do, the changes can quickly be wiped clean.
• The resources of one desktop can be spread to several users.

Drawbacks?

• Hosting now requires enterprise-grade hardware, which is expensive. The cost can be prohibitive for a business with just a few users – but spread over a larger staff, quickly becomes more economical.
• Everything runs on the server. If you have a laptop, and you’re on a plane or working from home, and don’t have a stable connection to the server, a virtual desktop may not be right for you.
• Graphic-intensive apps, such as CAD and graphic designers, do not stream well from the server to the desktop. The storage and servers they require may be too expensive if you only have, say, 10 users. Then you might want to stick with conventional desktops. But if you get into larger groups, this technology really shines.
  

So how do you choose a vendor? The three biggest players are:

Citrix: The best display protocol, ICA with HDX, which keeps the data stream smooth whether you’re typing or displaying graphics. FlexCast delivery also allows you to stream a single desktop image to many workstations, but use smaller files for each user, to use less storage space. Great profile synchronization. The most feature-rich technology, but also one of the most expensive.

VMware: The next-most feature-rich system, with a friendlier price. Features MSI technology and uses linked clones to share a common master OS image across pools of desktops. The PCoIP display protocol allows for server side compression and allows encryption of that data.

Microsoft: The best deal, plenty of features and value. Slight drawback in the RDP display protocol, but that is scheduled to be replaced soon with much-better RemoteFX. Many options in app deployment, including Remote Desktop Services, SCCM app deployment, and App-V application virtualization, which allows you to package apps virtually that are cleanly removed when you’re done with them.

Bottom line: Enterprises with the budget and technical prowess may get the most bang for their buck from a hybrid solution that leverages components from VMware, Microsoft, and Citrix.