Archives for March 2010

Quest Software, provider of vWorkspace, a single virtualization solution for application delivery and desktop deployments, today announced plans to support Microsoft RemoteFX, a Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 feature currently under development, in future versions of Quest products.

Quest vWorkspace brings numerous benefits to customers centralizing desktops using Remote Desktop Virtualization Hosts with Microsoft Hyper-V and Remote Desktop Session hosts, including greater reductions in total cost of ownership, increased levels of user acceptance and faster rollouts of desktop virtualization projects. The addition of Microsoft RemoteFX into this technology stack raises these benefits to a higher level, increasing the adoption of desktop virtualization on the Windows platform.

Expand Networks has taken another significant step in its virtualized product strategy with the launch of ExpandView Virtual.

ExpandView is a fully featured centralized management system that overcomes the challenges associated with large scale deployment, configuration, proactive reporting and alerting across its range of physical and virtual Accelerator devices, and within physical or virtual environments.

The launch of ExpandView Virtual is a key element of Expand’s continued focus of giving enterprise IT the most flexible deployment options available as they look to take full advantage of the cost and complexity savings that a virtualized infrastructure offers. With ExpandView Virtual organizations are able to deploy on their hardware infrastructure of choice resulting in greater flexibility, simplicity and scalability.

ExpandView Virtual is an ideal solution for enterprises with a centralized datacenter environment running virtual servers. Its ability to be deployed as an image on a virtual machine overcomes the traditional challenges previously associated with installation, configuration and management presented by heterogeneous hardware environments and operating system configurations. Allowing for rapid provisioning, extreme scalability and ease of management enabling organizations to more effectively and efficiently deploy, configure and manage Expand Accelerators, be they virtual or physical, ExpandView Virtual thereby removes complexity, increases productivity and reduces total cost of ownership.

ExpandView Virtual is also well suited for telcos, managed service providers and cloud providers offering WAN optimization-as-a-service; grid computing solutions and cloud based services. With its powerful Virtual Customer Partitioning (VCP) capability, ExpandView Virtual enables services to scale easily; organizations are able to support as many Accelerators as required by running multiple instances of ExpandView Virtual. Enabling a virtual instance of ExpandView per customer on a single hardware platform decreases the dedicated hardware footprint, reduces cost and simplifies management for service providers.

Following the successful launch last year of its Virtual Accelerator (VACC), Expand continues to see heightened interest from its customers and the market around its product virtualization roadmap as organizations look to take advantage of the cost and complexity savings offered by a virtualized infrastructure. Expand’s WAN optimization strategy is fully focused on delivering real benefits to its customers by enabling major IT initiatives including branch office virtualization and consolidation and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

VMware has announced it is offering its VMware vSphere Essentials product package at up to 50% off the list price through June 15, 2010.

With a low up-front investment, vSphere Essentials delivers enterprise-class virtualization capabilities that enable small offices to consolidate and manage application workloads while reducing hardware and operating costs. Through this promotion, VMware will offer SMBs award-winning virtualization starting at less than $500.

Microsoft yesterday announced new investments around desktop virtualization technologies and solutions, including virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), to help organizations of all sizes increase flexibility, employee productivity and IT cost savings.

Microsoft outlined improvements that make it easier to access desktop virtualization.

More information on today’s announcement and Microsoft’s virtualization strategy is available here.

• New VDI promotions available for qualified customers to choose from today. Microsoft and Citrix Systems are offering the “Rescue for VMware VDI” promotion, which allows VMware View customers to trade in up to 500 licenses at no additional cost, and the “VDI Kick Start” promotion, which offers new customers a more than 50 percent discount off the estimated retail price. Eligibility and other details on the two promotions can be found at http://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com.
• Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit.
• New roaming use rights improve flexibility. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks.
• Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology. This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.
• Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1. Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use. Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.
• New technology agreement with Citrix Systems. The companies will work together to enable the high-definitionHDX technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Microsoft RemoteFX platform.