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Look to the server
Margaret Lewis, director of commercial software solutions at AMD
I PREDICTED LAST DECEMBER THAT dient visualization, the decoupling of the desktop from its underlying hardware, would hit a tipping point in 2010 and begin to impact both businesses and consumers. I'd say we're gradually seeing this come true, but what is the best approach to deploying virtual desktops?
The client hypervisor is a technology still in its infancy with virtualization leaders such as Citrix and VMware trying to push bare-metal hypervisors beyond the conceptual phase and into production. I'd argue that server-hosted desktop virtualization is the way to go today. From both a manageability and maturity perspective, virtualizing the client onto the server is a trusted technology with a proven track record.
Server-hosted desktop virtualization aims to make the user's experience seamless by offering a functional desktop system that runs as if the user had a regular PC, minus the hassles associated with actually having a fully-loaded machine on their desk. Keeping that in mind, the more invisible the solution is to the user, the better. And the less often IT staff has to physically wrangle with a desktop, the happier they are.
There are two main types of server side VDI tools to explore. One approach involves using a server hypervisor, such as Windows Hyper-V or VMware, to encapsulate, deliver and maintain individualized desktops on a single, centrally located computer. The individual desktops are accessed via remote client devices. The goal is to offer a near-native experience without needing a fully loaded machine on each desk.
Another scenario delivers session-based desktops or applications, allowing for high user density with a limited degree of personalization or isolation. Now known as remote desktop services, the GUI is delivered to the desktop via RDP, which has benefits for management and security issues. By centralizing apps and data, the server sends only as much of the OS or app as the user needs.
Regardless of which route, managing desktops from a central data center is more efficient and secure than managing a dispersed set of physical computers with their related applications and data.
But do client-side hypervisor solutions offer these and other benefits? A Network World article notes that client hypervisors can potentially deliver...