Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a technology that relates to the use of virtual machines to provide and manage virtual desktops. VDI hosts the desktop environment on a centralized server and allocates them to end-users on demand.
How does VDI work?
In VDI, the hypervisor divides the server into virtual machines that host virtual desktops that users access remotely from their devices. Users can access these virtual desktops from any device or location, and all processing takes place on the host server. Users connect to their desktop instance through a connection provider, a software gateway that acts as an intermediary between the user and the server.
VDI can be permanent or volatile. Each type offers different benefits:
With Persistent VDI, users always connect to the same desktop, and users can customize the desktop to their needs because changes are saved even after the connection is reset. . In other words, the desktop behaves like a personal physical desktop in a static VDI environment.
In contrast, endless VDIs, where users connect to shared desktops and do not save any changes, are generally simple and inexpensive because there is no need to maintain their own desktops between them. session. Unstable VDIs are often used by many workers or employees performing a limited number of repetitive tasks and do not require their own monitors.
Why VDI?
VDI offers many benefits, such as user portability, easy access, flexibility, and increased security. In the past, due to high-performance requirements, the installation of older systems was expensive and demanding, which confused many businesses. However, the expansion of Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) enterprises provides a solution that offers low scalability and high performance.
What are the benefits of VDI?
Although the complexity of VDI means that it is not necessarily the right choice for every company. It offers many benefits to the companies that use it. Some of these benefits include:
Remote access: VDI users can connect to their virtual desktop from any location or device, making it easy for employees to access all their files and applications and work from anywhere in the world.
Cost savings: Because processing takes place on the server, the hardware requirements for the terminal are much lower. Users can access their virtual desktops from legacy devices, thin clients or even tablets, reducing the need for IT to purchase new and expensive hardware.
Security: In a VDI environment, the data resides on a server, not on an end client device. It works to protect data in the event of theft or endpoint threat.
Centralized Management: A centralized VDI layout allows IT to easily repair, update, or configure all virtual desktops on a single system.
What is VDI used for?
While VDI can be used in all types of environments, there are several uses that are only useful for VDI, including:
Remote Work: As VDI makes it easy to set up and update virtual desktops from a centralized location. More and more companies are implementing it for employees who work remotely.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): VDI is the ideal solution for environments that allow or require employees to use their own devices. Because processing takes place on a centralized server, VDI allows the use of a wide range of devices. This provides better security because the data remains on the server and is not stored on the end client.
Work for change or change: Volatile VDI is especially suitable for organizations. Such as call centers where a large number of employees use the same software to perform limited tasks.
Difference between VDI and desktop virtualization
Desktop virtualization is a general term for any technology that distinguishes it. A desktop environment from the hardware use to access it. VDI is a type of desktop virtualization, but desktop virtualization use in a variety of ways. Such as Remote Desktop Services (RDS). Where a user connects to a shared desktop running on a remote server.
What is the difference between VDI and Virtual Machine (VM)?
Virtual machines are the technology that drives VDI. A VM is a software “machine” created by dividing a physical server into multiple virtual servers using a hypervisor. (This process knows as server virtualization.) Virtual machines use for a variety of applications, including running a virtual desktop in a VDI environment.
How to implement VDI?
When planning a VDI deployment, large enterprises should consider deploying it in an HCI environment. As the scalability and high performance of the HCI naturally meet the needs of the VDI resources. On the other hand, implementing HCI for VDI is probably unnecessary (and would be extremely expensive) for companies that require less than 100 virtual desktops.
Prepare your network: Because VDI performance is closely related to network performance, it is important to know the maximum uptime and predict demand growth to ensure sufficient network capacity.
Avoid underperformance: Plan your performance in advance with performance monitoring tools to understand the resources used by each virtual desktop and to make sure you know the overall resource usage requirements.
Understand your end-user needs: Do your users need to be able to customize their desktop, or are they a workgroup that can work from a regular desktop? (In other words, is your organization suitable for permanent or uninterrupted VDI setup?) What are the user performance requirements? For those who use graphics-intensive applications compared to those who only need Internet access or a regular application or two. You need to organize your settings separately.
Perform a test run: Most virtualization vendors provide test tools that you can use to re-run a test VDI installation; It’s important to make sure you manage your assets properly.
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