With server virtualization now well established in the world's datacenters, IT leaders are turning their attention to virtualizing and centralizing desktop PCs to address some of their toughest computing challenges:
. Managing complex end-user hardware and software infrastructure
. Securing networks and information assets
. Supporting a global workforce in an environment of constant change
Desktop virtualization corrects the division of labor and assets, so companies can put employees near customers and suppliers-but centralize IT and information assets to keep costs and risks under tight control.
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Desktop Virtualization:
A buyer's checklistTable of contents
Introduction
Desktop Delivery The user experience must improve...................................................................................................3The solution must tolerate high network latency................................................................................3Management must be effective, not just centralized..........................................................................3The solution must scale and recover quickly.....................................................................................3The solution must be flexible-for both users and IT.........................................................................4
Your solution scorecard IntroductionWith server virtualization now well established in the world's datacenters, IT leaders are turning their attention to virtualizing and centralizing desktop PCs to address some of their toughest computing challenges:
. Managing complex end-user hardware and software infrastructure. Securing networks and information assets. Supporting a global workforce in an environment of constant change
Desktop virtualization corrects the division of labor and assets, so companies can put employees near customers and suppliers-but centralize IT and information assets to keep costs and risks under tight control.
Desktop virtualization should do more than just move desktop management to the datacenter- its real goal is to put productive applications in the hands of end users. Citrix Desktop Delivery dynamically assembles high-performance desktops complete with personalized applications and settings for every logon of every user, from a compact, efficient, central store of images. The next section outlines how it works.
Desktop DeliveryCitrix Desktop Delivery assembles virtual desktops on demand, following these steps:. Separate the core OS from applications and user preferences to create base images appropriate for many or all users. Use Desktop Provisioning to deliver the OS image on demand . Apply user personalization to the OS image dynamically on delivery. Deliver applications when needed and in the most appropriate way, independently of the core operating system . Present the complete desktop to the end user on any device, over any network
Figure 1. Citrix Desktop Delivery delivers desktop components separately on demand, for the optimal combination of flexibility and efficiency.
2Citrix Desktop Delivery meets the technical and practical requirements of successful desktop virtualization, as outlined in a companion paper and summarized here:
The user experience must improve
Stand-alone PCs give end users fast CPU response, multi-media access, and broad peripheral support. Desktop virtualization must do the same, or users will see it as a step down. In key areas, a virtual desktop actually improves user experience:
. Overall performance: server-based desktops run on faster, more reliable hardware, for fasterapplication performance and a more responsive desktop. Instant-on: virtual desktops can start much faster than disk-based operating systems. Easy mobility: virtual desktops deliver current desktops and data securely to any endpoint, so employees can travel light or work from home. Effective support: technology-enhanced support tracks performance, and accelerates diagnosis and resolution of user issues
The solution must tolerate high network latency
Wide-Area Network latencies routinely exceed worst-case LAN limits. With user interfaces-display, mouse/keyboard, audio/video-extraordinarily sensitive to latency, a solution that performs well in the lab may be useless in an overseas office. ®The Citrix "Independent Computing Architecture" (ICA ) protocol preserves client performance even in graphic-intensive applications even over networks with significant latency. A test of alternative solutions under real world latency conditions should be part of any evaluation.
Management must be effective, not just centralized
Some approaches to desktop virtualization clone desktops as monolithic images. This just moves the problem instead of solving it: storage and management burdens are as large as ever, but now fill up more expensive SAN storage and create more work for IT admins.
There's a better way-the Citrix approach of se... [download for more]
