What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI enables organizations to run fully functional virtual machine-based desktops, allowing end users to access them regardless of device or location. Although VDI can help reduce the TCO, secure data, and enable mobile and remote access, it has not yet been widely adopted because of its complexity. With its ease of use, affordability, and reliable performance, Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) makes VDI easier and more appealing for businesses of any size.
Virtual desktop infrastructure – Market trends
In the early years of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), industry experts expected it to rapidly take over desktop management and delivery. In fact, since 2006, VDI has been considered an alternative to the server-based computing model used by Microsoft Terminal Services. However, VDI adoption did not grow as expected because of the costs and complexities involved with this technology.
Nonetheless, in recent years, there has been consistent growth in the VDI market. According to analyst firm Technavio, the VDI market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2017 to 2021. Global market intelligence firm IDC reports that the virtual client computing (VCC) market was worth $3 billion in 2015 and predicts that it will reach $4.6 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.9%. These numbers point to strong growth for VDI as it continues to transform corporate IT resources across the globe.
What is virtual desktop infrastructure VDI?
VDI allows users to work on desktops and applications that run inside virtual machines (VMs) that are centrally hosted, either on servers or in the cloud. While employees can perform the same operations on a traditional PC, VDI enables organizations to simplify management and reduce costs by consolidating and centralizing the desktops. It also enables businesses to empower end users’ mobility, offering them the possibility to access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device at any time.
How does VDI work?
A connection broker and a hypervisor are the main components of virtual desktop infrastructure. The connection broker allows the end user to connect to an available virtual desktop, while the hypervisor actually runs the virtual desktops.
- A connection broker manages a pool of connections to shared resources, enabling access to server-based desktops, virtual desktops, and virtual applications.
- A hypervisor, or virtual machine monitor (VMM), is computer software, firmware, or hardware that creates and runs virtual machines. A computer on which a hypervisor runs one or more VMs is called a host machine, and each virtual machine is called a guest machine.
A VDI solution enables IT administrators to create groups of virtual desktops, known as virtual desktop pools, that are hosted on identically configured virtual machines. Virtual desktop pools are usually created for users who share the same needs. As organization teams, such as finance or human resources, require specific applications and utilities, pooling virtual desktops allows IT staff to simplify settings and configuration. When a team member establishes a session with a connection broker, it assigns the session to an available virtual desktop from the appropriate pool.
The aim of VDI solutions such as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop), VMware Horizon, and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is to simplify the management and deployment of the processes explained above.
How does VDI help organizations?
VDI offers several benefits to an organization, depending on the solution. For the purpose of this article, we summarized the more important benefits below.
- Management – VDI allows you to centrally manage desktops and control what is being installed and used on the desktops.
- Deployment – IT administrators can deploy and manage hundreds of virtual desktops very quickly compared to using traditional imaging technology.
- Security – With VDI, organizations achieve greater security. Data and images are stored in the datacenter (or cloud). As a result, even if the device is stolen, the information is still protected.
- OS migrations – VDI allows IT administrators to dramatically reduce the time and complexity of rolling out a new OS such as Windows 10, because deployment is done in a few datacenters rather than in many offices.
- Device independence – With VDI, end users can choose and work on any device. Thin clients, PCs, Mac, Linux, mobile devices, and even HTML5 browsers can be used to access virtual desktops and applications provided by VDI.
- Increase hardware lifespan – Organizations that choose VDI can extend the lifespan of their hardware by repurposing legacy workstations, for example. Since the computing process happens on the server, the end user device does not need strong computing performance.
Parallels RAS makes Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI easy and affordable
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) allows businesses to easily implement VDI. With Parallels RAS, IT staff can deliver full desktops and offer a Windows desktop experience with maximum infrastructural flexibility to any device. Parallels RAS customized templates enable businesses to deploy VDI desktops on demand, by replicating a virtual desktop as many times as needed. In addition to its straightforward manageability, a very attractive price tag makes Parallels RAS is an ideal choice for any business seeking to implement VDI. Learn More
Parallels RAS allows for quick, simple and affordable VDI deployments. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offers some benefits to organizations such as improved security, centralized desktop management, and reduced IT workload.
Read more abour Parallels RAS & VDI
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References
What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)? | tricerat
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: Global Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Market to Grow Rapidly Through 2021, Due to Its Ability to Offer Improved Security and Flexibility to Enterprises: Technavio | businesswire.com
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) | searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-VDI
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: VDI Technology Better, Faster and Cheaper, But Adoption Still Slow | cio.com
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)? | windowsitpro.com
http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/what-virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi
The Pros and Cons of Using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: PCworld