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rValue VDI: The Advantages of Value-based Desktop VirtualizationErik Willey 10.17.2014

SUMMARY:

Introduction

Following the broad implementation and success of server virtualization, the concept of virtual desktop PCs first entered the IT scene as the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). VDI promised to eliminate the complexities and costs inherent in operating and managing an organization’s network of standalone PCs. With centralized management and simplified control, VDI today delivers numerous benefits, including optimized resource management, improved security, and reduced costs.

Implementing a full datacenter-based VDI, and running a full virtual machine for each user, however, is no longer the only means of achieving desktop virtualization and its corresponding benefits. Today, several approaches exist for achieving desktop virtualization, including delivery via the traditional datacenter, or a hosted subscription model from a services provider (DaaS). In addition, value-minded appliance options have become available, which easily and cost-effectively deliver VDI via local server appliances. Each means of implementing VDI offers differing advantages and costs. Selecting the best-fit desktop virtualization solution for an organization’s computing needs and budget will deliver the greatest results and return on investment.

Traditional Datacenter-hosted VDI

All methods of desktop virtualization leverage software to separate the desktop environment and application software from the physical client device used to access it. With “traditional” desktop virtualization, or VDI, the user desktops and all associated functions are stored in and run from a virtual machine that lives on a datacenter server. This flavor of desktop virtualization may also be referred to as datacenter-hosted, datacenter-based, or even server-based VDI, alluding to the use of high-power datacenter rack servers.

Datacenter-hosted VDI was initially deployed using an on-premise or off-site datacenter typically delivered via software provided by the three major players: Microsoft, Citrix, and VMware. More recently, service providers are offering hosted cloud-based Desktop-as-a-

This paper reviews the basics of VDI, how value VDI solutions differ from traditional VDI, and the factors to consider when evaluating a value-based desktop virtualization solution.

Service (DaaS), where the third-party providers take on part, or all, of the processing, data storage, and management requirements for a subscription fee.

Regardless the implementation approach, VDI allows companies to replace high-maintenance PCs with a centralized management structure for a host of cost-saving benefits. As organizations of all types and sizes adjust to tight budgets and mobility-minded employees, VDI offers a means of streamlining management, reducing costs, increasing data security and supporting users with anytime, anywhere, any-device access to the resources needed to do their job.

Datacenter-based VDI is not, however, the only means of achieving the benefits offered by virtual desktops. While traditional VDI clearly delivers advantages in specific use cases, it requires a significant investment in hardware, IT time, and software, as well as sufficient technical expertise to manage – whether from within the organization or from a third party provider. Thus, for some organizations, traditional datacenter-based VDI can be prohibitively costly and complex. Additionally, many organizations have no need for the anywhere, anytime access provided by traditional VDI.

Enter the Value-based Virtual Desktop

Newer options for delivering virtual desktops eliminate the need for costly and complex datacenter servers, instead employing a highly efficient local server appliance to store and power virtual desktop data. Local server appliance approaches can provide an ideal long-term solution for many organizations. By sharing the data storage capacity and processing power of just one of today’s high-performance PCs across many users, and applying highly-optimized approaches to virtualization, these solutions dramatically lower the cost of achieving a virtual desktop environment. These cost-conscious solutions are ideally suited to organizations seeking simplicity, flexibility and above all value, without the bells, whistles, and associated complexity of high-end VDI. By eliminating the need to support mobile user access, value-driven VDI solutions offer the lowest capital cost, best multimedia performance, as well as a system simple enough to be managed by non-IT office staff. When these are the goals, a value VDI solution may be the best choice for an organization wanting to transition away from traditional PCs and implement virtual desktops.

“While traditional VDI clearly delivers advantages in specific use cases, it requires a significant investment in hardware, IT time, and software.”

Benefits of Value-based Virtual Desktops

Value VDI solutions deliver many advantages over traditional methods of achieving VDI. Foremost among these benefits are the significantly reduced costs that result from the simplified infrastructure and management of value VDI. Along with the increased security and enhanced performance these solutions deliver, value VDI offers outstanding flexibility and affordability in virtual desktop functionality. It is important to note, however, that the specific architecture, costs and features of value VDI systems will vary based on the solution provider selected.

The most important features to look for in a value VDI solution include:

Simplified InfrastructureTraditional VDI solutions involve numerous hardware and software components that create complexity; even installing the necessary software can be an elaborate task that requires highly experienced IT staff. Value VDI solutions, by contrast, require just a single server appliance connected to the organization’s local area network with all the required software and can be installed in minutes from a single DVD. The single server appliance houses all data storage processing and needed VDI software components.

Reduced Implementation CostsDeploying traditional VDI requires a substantial up-front investment in datacenter servers, storage systems, and software packages. In addition to these costs, many companies must also invest in staffing resources to deploy and manage the complex system, which requires skills that are distinctly different from those needed to manage virtual servers and other IT systems. Value VDI solutions, by contrast, offer a simple appliance model requiring far fewer components, substantially reducing the capital expense (or ongoing subscription costs in the case of a hosted model) of implementing virtual desktops.

Simplified ManagementOften the most time-consuming aspect of their role, and one of the key issues IT administrators face, is efficiently managing user desktops. Desktop virtualization addresses this issue with the easier management offered by centralized control; however, many virtualization solutions are cumbersome, complicated, and require highly trained, highly paid IT administrators for successful deployment and maintenance. Many value VDI solutions, on the other hand, will enable even non-IT personnel to deploy and manage virtual desktops with ease from a central device management console.

Reduced Ongoing CostsValue VDI allows users to deploy lower-cost zero client devices which are significantly less expensive than traditional thin clients or PCs. The use of a local server appliance reduces the costs related to ongoing datacenter management. Additional savings compared to traditional VDI include decreased cost of hardware, reduced electricity requirements and, in many cases, reduced Microsoft software licensing fees (see below).

FlexibilityTraditional VDI solutions deliver only Windows® desktops, incurring significant licensing costs and management complexity. Value VDI solutions often offer a broader range of desktop environments. This gives administrators the flexibility to offer Windows virtual machines (VMs) on those endpoints that require them, but from the same appliance deliver license fee-free desktops (Cloud, Linux, Chrome, Signage, Kiosk) on those that don’t.

Increased Efficiency Value virtualization solutions have borrowed the concept of containers from server virtualization. Containers isolate operating system and application functionality to deliver just what the end user needs and thereby ensure a more efficient, cost-effective and flexible VDI. Virtualization solutions can use containers to offer a concurrent mix of apps, user sessions, or full VMs, all from the same server appliance, each delivered inside a container. While one group of users is working in a full Microsoft® Windows® Virtual machine, containers enables another set of users to access a highly efficient Kiosk desktop or a Chrome-based cloud-client desktop. By delivering a full virtual machine only when needed, the system operates at maximum efficiency and substantially reduces Microsoft licensing costs.

Increased SecurityBecause the value VDI server – which can be an off-the-shelf Core i7 PC – is kept onsite and connected to the organization’s local area network (LAN) rather than an off-site datacenter, both desktop performance and security are increased. Local LAN-based storage also keeps data safely close at hand, without accessibility by third parties.

Increased PerformanceFull HD multimedia performance and latency have been a consistent weakness of many VDI solutions. The most effective value solutions can deliver Full HD multimedia performance by providing the computing environment needed at each endpoint device in the most efficient way possible. Whereas traditional VDI incurs significant overhead encoding and decoding into a WAN optimized protocol, the local server appliance

approach can deliver much richer and more responsive desktops with much less server loading. In addition, using containers and only utilizing a full hypervisor when required further increases efficiency. When a user only needs a browser, instead of running the browser in a full operating system, the browser is run in a container on the host operating system. This frees up significant system resources that then become available for users in need of a full virtual machine.

Ready to Go Out-of-the-BoxValue VDI solutions offer the ability to use pre-configured and ready to go desktops which are included with the product for free. No additional licenses required, no complex integrations needed to get up and running. Common options include full screen browser, or kiosk, or a Chrome-based cloud client desktop which, by combining a Chrome browser with select native desktop applications, allows admins to quickly deploy fully functional desktops. It’s the fastest and simplest way to get users productive in a virtual desktop environment with little or no IT expertise required for set up and management.

Additional Considerations

With several Value VDI solutions available on the market, it is important to assess your organization’s unique requirements and understand the features offered by a given solution. Among the factors to evaluate is whether the solution offers:

• Full virtualization, rather than simple, session-based virtualization • A heterogeneous mix of different containers at each endpoint (rather than all users being required to run the same operating system instance) • True hypervisor vs. Windows Server • Intuitive browser-based management • Operating system flexibility • Flexible, cost-effective licensing options • High-performance support for rich media, kiosks, touchscreens and digital signage • Ready-to-go, out-of-the box solution, with a preconfigured desktop ready to use with no additional licensing, no integration or software set-up required

Session Versus Full VirtualizationAn important consideration when assessing a value VDI solution is whether it delivers session-based rather than full virtualization. Session-based solutions are typically RDP-based and run on a Windows Server. The distinction is critical to the performance and security of the virtual desktop system.

Session-based virtualization is limited in several key ways. With session-based VDI:

• Users are accessing a Windows Server, which is incompatible with many traditional Windows desktop applications. • All users are running multiple sessions from a single operating system, which makes it very difficult and often impossible to

accommodate variation in desktop needs; because of this all desktops are largely identical. • Any system administration work such as updating patches or installing a new application or driver affects all users. This requires a more skilled systems administrator and causes more disruption than with full virtualization, which enables discrete updating of each user desktop. • Providers often use a proprietary layer on top of Windows Server, and this layer is often updated on a different schedule than Windows Server. In fact, compatibility updates may arrive many months after Windows Server updates from Microsoft, leaving systems vulnerable during this time lapse.

Full desktop virtualization, on the other hand, provides each user with a completely independent Windows® 7 or Windows® 8 desktop, ensuring full application compatibility and flexibility, which allows for the installation of a much broader set of applications. Full virtualization also empowers each user (or subset of users) to install applications, customize the OS, or reboot their individual desktop. In addition, the administrator can update each user’s golden master images without disrupting active users.

True HypervisorWhether or not a value VDI solution uses a true hypervisor is another important area of distinction. The use of a full-fledged hypervisor, an additional layer of software similar to that used in high-end VDI solutions, enables much greater flexibility of function, including the simultaneous use of different operating systems and support for multiple platforms such as kiosks and digital signage. Low-cost VDI solutions running Windows Server 2008 in place of a hypervisor will lack these robust capabilities.

Browser-based ManagementHow the system is managed is a key differentiator among entry-level VDI solutions. The easiest-to-use solutions convert a local server into a browser-managed virtualization appliance that allows administrators to set up, deploy and control virtual desktops via a drag-and-drop interface accessible from any web browser. As such, desktop virtualization is transformed from a complex solution manageable only by highly trained, highly paid

“Value VDI solutions deliver many advantages over traditional methods of achieving VDI. Foremost among these benefits are the significantly reduced costs.”

technical resources to one that can be managed by just about anyone in the organization.

Shortened Time to ProductivityValue VDI solutions that don’t include a ready-to-go, pre-configured desktop are likely to be more complex than they appear at the outset. Set up, integration, and keeping software up to date can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of a virtual desktop deployment. Organizations looking to streamline their operational costs should seek value VDI that includes a license-free and ready-to-go desktop. Whether a Chrome-based cloud client, or an Android or Linux desktop, having an option that requires zero configuration and set up is important for those looking to reduce IT workload and overhead.

Operating System FlexibilityValue VDI solutions based on sessions rather than full virtualization do not allow for the use of a variety of operating systems and don’t allow for configurations where some users need only one application such as a web browser. If flexibility either with operating systems or with application delivery is a goal, look for solutions that include a true hypervisor and can run a variety of operating systems and desktop types.

Licensing Cost-savingsIn addition to enabling organizations to tailor desktops to the needs of each user, OS flexibility further provides flexibility in licensing, offering users a choice of best-fit licensing approaches. This delivers added cost-savings by only requiring payment of Microsoft licensing on an as-needed basis, rather than globally for the entire VDI installation.

Support for Kiosks, Digital Signs, and Touchscreen DisplaysDynamic digital signage offers many benefits to enterprises, medical offices and other organizations and is ideally suited for:

• Conference room identification & scheduling • Dynamic branding and information display • Employee communications • Wayfinding • Emergency notification

The cost of traditional digital signage systems, however, can be prohibitive for many organizations. When based on onsite server appliances that deliver superior Full HD multimedia performance, select value VDI solutions also support basic digital signage and interactive touch screen kiosks.

Value VDI Use Cases

Value VDI solutions can offer an ideal fit for just about any organization looking to reduce costs and simplify IT management, however, they are particularly well-suited to organizations with limited budgets or IT resource constraints. Among these are small and medium-sized businesses, healthcare offices, call centers, and educational environments.

SMBSmall- to medium-sized businesses must efficiently control operating and capital expenses and often do not have the budget or IT expertise to deploy traditional VDI. Low-cost value VDI solutions can make it technically and financially possible for these organizations to adopt desktop virtualization and enjoy the benefits of centralized management, decreased costs and increased hardware lifespan. These organizations will also benefit from value VDI system that offers flexible support for multiple devices and operating systems, including unique employee desktops and simple digital signage.

Medical OfficesHealthcare environments often call for a variety of users to share computer stations, with care providers moving from exam rooms to other workstations throughout the day. The use of virtual desktops in a healthcare environment can help contain costs and improve patient care, enabling quick access to electronic medical records (EMR) and other vital data throughout a facility. However, all but the largest organizations may be prohibited from implementing VDI due to cost or lack of IT expertise.

Value VDI solutions are ideal for enabling the deployment of a range of workstations including locked-down desktops for quick access to EMR by medical staff along with secure customized desktops for administrative staff. Value VDI solutions with a local server capable of supporting staff desktops and simple digital signs and touch screens will offer the most flexibility and value. These solutions can power signage for lobbies, waiting rooms and patient self check-in, as well as static or touchscreen displays for patient entertainment stations. Digital signage can also be deployed throughout a facility, including labs, offices, reception areas, and therapy or surgery rooms.

Call CentersCentralized management, desktop lock-down, and scalability are essential to call centers in an industry that faces continuous pressure to reduce costs. A virtual desktop environment enables call centers to increase control and centralize the computing infrastructure while improving quality control. Value VDI can be ideal for accomplishing these goals simply and cost-effectively by providing multiple computing stations for agents along with the option of multiple computer stations per agent. As demand increases, a robust value VDI system will be fast and easy to expand by simply adding another server. Full-featured solutions will also allow the IT department to choose from a range of desktops as appropriate for different areas within the center, with some including integrated Chrome-based cloud client desktops for accessing web apps like Salesforce.com and more. Systems with a strong automated failover feature will ensure high availability to maintain maximum uptime and efficiency.

Another feature to look for is the ability to equip reception areas and management computers with a choice of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows. Break and

lunch rooms can be economically equipped with shared computers and the same platform can be used to add affordable single or multi-panel digital displays throughout the location for employee education, wayfinding and more.

EducationWithout sacrificing performance, even with demanding HD multimedia, the lowest-cost approach to provide fixed desktops to students throughout classrooms, libraries, and labs is through a value VDI solution. Schools can power desktops in a room or throughout the school and can also use the platform to power simple digital signage in hallways, common areas, gymnasiums, and cafeterias.

By offering students multiple profiles and desktops to choose from, value VDI can be an ideal solution for shared use computers such as in labs or at the back of classrooms. This enables teachers and students to select the best desktop or operating systems profile for the grade level or task at hand.

Value VDI can also be used to compliment a chrome book or laptop strategy with the flexibility to use either a Chrome-based browser desktop or a Windows desktop. A school district’s mobility strategy will still require desktops in labs, info commons, libraries, public spaces, and more. Teachers that want to deploy large shareable screens or who need to deliver a broader range of applications than can be delivered on a Chrome book (eg Skype, Photoshop, Quicken, Microsoft Office, and other essential programs) will need an option for full desktops.

A built-in classroom management system allows a teacher to monitor, manage and control all desktops from a single screen to ensure an interactive teacher-supported learning experience for all students.

The ViewSonic® Value VDI Client with Userful™ Multiplatform Software Solution

In partnership with Userful, a leading VDI software company, ViewSonic offers a powerful yet cost-effective all-in-one desktop virtualization solution ideal for users seeking simplicity, high performance, and value. ViewSonic’s SC-U25 Value VDI Client with Userful Multiplatform software lets users employ a high-performance PC as the local server appliance, then shares that computing power among multiple users, for a lower overall capital cost plus greater overall flexibility and performance.

Along with lowering the cost barrier to VDI, the ViewSonic value VDI solution with Userful Multiplatform software:

• Concurrently powers multiple operating systems (or can deliver users just an application such as a web browser) • Delivers high-performance Full HD multimedia to every desktop • Supports up to 20 users from each server appliance • Scales to accommodate any deployment size—to add more desktops, simply

“The ViewSonic Value VDI Client with Userful Multiplatform software solution offers exceptional simplicity, flexibility and cost-savings in a virtual desktop environment.”

deploy additional servers—all servers are easily managed through a browser • Supports both server class hardware as well as PC hardware for cost-conscious customers • Supports simultaneous use of a variety of desktop types: Microsoft Windows, a Chrome-based cloud client desktop, or Linux • Supports digital signage, kiosks, and touchscreen displays • Includes at no-cost an integrated Chrome-based cloud desktop, digital signage player, browser kiosk, and full Linux desktop • Chrome-based cloud desktop allows application installation and provides a powerful, fully-functioning work environment without the need for Internet connection • Enables flexible licensing and as-needed payment for Microsoft Windows • Allows for a choice of Microsoft® Windows® VDA or Diskless COA licenses • Includes simple, point and click browser-based management console at no additional charge • Provides reliability and high availability via fail-over redundancy from a secondary server—should the first server fail, a second server can automatically take over support for the desktop.

So intuitive that it can be deployed and managed by non-IT personnel, yet powerful enough to run multiple operating systems and digital signs, the ViewSonic Value VDI solution with Userful Multiplatform software offers exceptional simplicity, flexibility and cost-savings in a virtual desktop environment. By delivering outstanding TCO for a complete out-of-the-box, multi-client VDI solution, the ViewSonic Value VDI solution makes virtual desktops a budget-friendly option for virtually any organization.

Conclusion

Local, server appliance-based desktop virtualization offers a cost-effective means of delivering the benefits of VDI along with the added advantages of simpler management and higher multimedia performance. The locally-managed virtualization software appliance enables even those with limited IT skills to administer and manage virtual desktops. This simpler infrastructure reduces deployment time and upfront deployment costs, minimizes downtime and enables the use of lower-cost zero client devices. And because

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all virtualization is achieved within the LAN, the same server appliance that supports local desktops can also support digital signs and touch screens – all with greater Full HD performance than any traditional datacenter-based VDI deployment. The software used to deliver entry-level VDI can vary significantly among suppliers, however, and an organization must carefully compare features and benefits offered to select the best fit for their environment.