VDI Environment | What Is It and How Can It Help My Business?

Nowadays, one of the biggest challenges that IT departments face is to centralize different IT solutions in a new technological model. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), desktop and application virtualization, private and public clouds and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) are words and phrases that we often hear. VDI is one of the technologies on the rise as organizations look for secure remote working solutions. 

This post gives a brief introduction to a VDI environment, explaining what it is, in what scenarios it could be used, and how it may contribute to your company.

Introduction to VDI Environments

The purpose of a VDI environment is to execute and distribute virtual desktops and applications from a centralized infrastructure—in one or many data centers—which can be either on-premises or in a cloud system. In a typical VDI setup, you will have a central server called a hypervisor, or a farm of servers on which the virtualization software runs, where virtual machines are created for users. 

What Is the Difference between Persistent and Non-Persistent VDI?

There are two types of VDIs. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages in corporate IT environments.

Persistent VDI

Users are assigned their own virtual desktops, much like a traditional physical desktop. Each user can customize their desktop according to their requirements. When they log off, the next time they log on, the desktop will appear in the same exact way they left it, since their desktops are saved in between sessions. It is ideal for organizations with employees that require customized desktops due to their work roles.

Non-persistent VDI

Users are assigned to generic desktops that do not allow saving in between sessions. When a user logs on, the desktop is bare, free from any changes performed by previous workers. It is ideal for shift employees.

Advantages and Benefits of a VDI Environment

A VDI environment has multiple benefits, some of which are mentioned below:

VDI Benefits for Organizations

VDI Benefits Related to Time and Cost

VDI Benefits for Users

VDI Benefits for Security

Parallels RAS: A First-Rate VDI Environment

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is an all-in-one VDI solution that enables you to centralize your IT infrastructure and leverage different hypervisors to automate and reduce the overhead costs of desktop management. Parallels RAS allows for quick, simple, and affordable VDI deployments. 

With Parallels RAS, you can deploy the number of desktops your company needs in a fast and flexible way. Desktops can be parameterized depending on your company’s necessities, thanks to features like linked clones and RASprep. 

If you have decided to take a step toward a centralized desktop solution, Parallels RAS offers you a flexible and straightforward solution. It allows your desktop farm to always be readily available and updated thanks to technologies like RASprep and linked clones. 

Download the Parallels RAS trial today. 


Reference

techtarget.com

wikipedia.org

pcworld.com

techrepublic.com