VDI – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a concept comprised of different solutions or products to acheive a VDI. VDI is a desktop replacement solution that increases security, decreases cost and delivers higher availability for the desktop while continuing to provide end-users with the functionality of a stand-alone desktop.
Companies can run desktops inside virtual machines that are located in a central data center. Users access these desktops remotely from a PC or a thin client over a remote display protocol (e.g. RDP/ICA)
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is made up of:
- Operating System Virtualization – Virtualized operating system layer to provide multiple virtual machines on the same physical hardware.
- Remote Display – A device to display the connection
- Application Delivery System – Technology to deploy and update applications within the desktop
- Connection Broker – A broker that provides the remote display protocol, possibly provides remote access, possibly access to local devices.
- Virtual Machine Management – Manages the provisioning/deprovisioning of private or shared virtual machines.
I have finished testing VMware, Leostream, Citrix XenDesktop & SUN VDI. I Will post on these and more here.