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Citrix Upgrades XenDesktop

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Citrix Systems has announced a new version of its XenDesktop product line (5.5) that adds many enhancements in personalization, user experience and rich consumer device support.

The new XenDesktop 5.5 adds the “Personal vDisk” technology acquired earlier this month from RingCube to all editions of XenDesktop, making it easier for customers to deploy highly personalized virtual desktops at a lower cost.

XenDesktop 5.5 also features the most significant enhancement in company history to its Citrix HDX user experience technology, enabling customers to deliver high-definition virtual desktops up to three times faster for both LAN and WAN users.

XenDesktop 5.5, XenApp 6.5 and XenClient 2 are available for download today from the Citrix website.

Suggested pricing for XenDesktop starts at $95 per user or device for the VDI-only edition. Comprehensive desktop and application virtualization is available in the Enterprise or Platinum editions, priced at $225 and $350. XenClient 2 is available standalone as a free download from the Citrix website and included along with the Synchronizer for XenClient with XenDesktop Enterprise and Platinum.

RingCube Announces General Availability Of vDesk v4.0

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RingCube Technologies, provider of personalization solutions for virtual desktops, today announced the general availability of vDesk v 4.0, a new enterprise desktop virtualization solution that expands an organization’s VDI user base, enables faster and more efficient VDI rollouts, reduces VDI infrastructure costs, and increases VDI’s return on investment.

RingCube will publicly unveil vDesk v4.0 at the Citrix Synergy 2011 event in San Francisco next week.

RingCube’s vDesk is a complementary offering to VMware View and Citrix XenDesktop that offers personalized user desktops without adding any additional management overhead. It also supports virtualizing the entire desktop, including department-level and user-installed applications.

By broadening the VDI rollout to a larger percentage of employees, organizations lower the overall cost of their VDI projects and improve user productivity, which results in a higher return on investment. With vDesk v4.0, organizations can now realize the promised productivity and cost-saving benefits from their VMware View and Citrix XenDesktop investments.

vDesk for VMware View and Citrix XenDesktop is generally available today. Pricing starts at $95 per user.

RingCube Introdes vDesk Version 2.0

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RingCube recently announced vDesk version 2.0, an enterprise desktop virtualization solution that simplifies the creation, access and management of Windows desktops. With the release of vDesk 2.0, RingCube advances its virtualization architecture through its new Workspace Virtualization Engine (WVE) expanding the manageability, security, and supportability of its enterprise-class virtual desktop solution. With version 2.0, vDesk also extends its advantage in the areas of application support and ease of management as compared to application virtualization offerings while continuing to maintain a significant cost and performance advantage over client hypervisor-based solutions.

RingCube vDesk 2.0 delivers a Workspace Virtualization Engine (WVE) which provides a lightweight and complete virtual desktop that can join an enterprise domain, has an isolated network stack and supports applications such as endpoint security, databases, and PC management software that require drivers and security services. Below is a listing of key components of the Workspace Virtualization Engine (WVE):

  • Virtual Networking, called vDeskNet, allows the virtual workspace to separate and isolate network traffic from the host PC including VPN clients running within the virtual workspace.
  • Virtual User Management allows the virtual workspace to have a unique set of user accounts separate from the host PC. Also, vDesk users within the virtual workspace can add/join an Active Directory domain independent of the user authentication and authorization rights of the host PC.
  • Virtual Security Store provides a separate protected storage area within the virtual workspace where items like certificates are kept isolated from the host PC.
  • Virtual Windows Services allows greater process and application isolation from the host PC. Virtualized services within the virtual workspace include LSA (local security authority), Microsoft TCP/IP networking, and NTFS volumes. These virtualized services help to increase the number of kernel-mode applications that can be supported within the virtual workspace.
  • Generic Driver Support provides a virtualized framework for the installation of drivers within the virtual workspace which includes a virtualized Plug-n-Play service. The generic driver framework increases application support particularly when new drivers are required.

vDesk 2.0 delivers full workspace encryption through its integration of 3rd party encryption software which protects the information stored within the virtual workspace. Also, vDeskNet provides a virtual networking stack so all network traffic within the virtual workspace can be isolated from the host, protecting confidential information from spyware on the host PC. VPN clients and end-point security software can also be installed inside the virtual workspace for additional security protection of the virtual workspace.

vDesk 2.0 improves the manageability of the virtual workspace by allowing users within the vDesk virtual workspace to add or join an Active Directory domain. Further, vDesk 2.0 has the ability to consume and apply Group Policy Objects (GPO) within the virtual workspace itself independent of the host PC. Enterprise customers can leverage existing management tools with vDesk by running them outside or inside the virtual workspace. By co-existing with traditional PC life cycle management tools and processes, vDesk provides a seamless transition path from traditional desktop management to virtual workspace management.

The vDesk 2.0 client has a more streamlined interface making it easier for vDesk users to get access to their virtual workspace with less interaction required. Also, vDesk support of Windows Vista has gone from technology preview in the previous release to general availability.

vDesk 2.0 is available immediately through RingCube. Pricing starts at $200 per user.

RingCube Technologies Releases vDesk version 1.1

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RingCube Technologies today announced vDesk version 1.1, a high-performance enterprise desktop virtualization solution that delivers anytime, anywhere access to a personalized desktop environment complete with applications, data and settings. vDesk version 1.1 delivers new MobileSync technology that enables users to work offline and synchronize their vDesk virtual workspaces between four flexible deployment options:

  • PC – vDesk is stored and runs locally on the user’s PC
  • Drive – vDesk is stored on portable drives such as USB, flash, and smartphones
  • Network – vDesk is stored on a network file share and runs locally
  • VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) – vDesk is stored in the data center and accessed remotely using VDI

vDesk MobileSync enables users to synchronize their vDesk Workspace between any of the four vDesk deployment options and work offline. While offline, users become truly mobile by being able to access their virtual workspace anytime, anywhere. For example, a user can access their vDesk through VDI while in the office and check out their vDesk workspace to a laptop or portable drive for a business trip or to work at home. Mobile professionals have the flexibility to work from an airplane, at home or in a hotel room.

When they come back to the office, they are prompted automatically to check in and synchronize their vDesk Workspace to the network. Once checked in, the user can access their vDesk workspace through VDI and have all the changes that were made offline reflected in their online vDesk workspace.

vDesk MobileSync enables rapid backup or “hot standby” for disaster recovery for users who have hardware failures or loose their laptop or portable drive. If a user’s laptop or portable drive is lost or fails, the user can check out their vDesk Workspace from the network to a new laptop or portable drive and be up and running in minutes with the latest applications, data and settings.

vDesk 1.1 is available immediately through RingCube. Pricing starts at $200 per user.

RingCube Unveils vDesk, (Another) Enterprise Desktop Virtualization Solution

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RingCube Technologies today announced vDesk, a high-performance enterprise desktop virtualization solution that delivers employees, contractors and customers anytime, anywhere access to a personalized desktop environment complete with applications, data and settings.

RingCube Technologies delivers enterprise desktop virtualization solutions that can be used to increase user productivity, lower desktop management costs, and eliminate the performance and resource overhead commonly found in legacy virtualization technologies. With the vDesk solution, RingCube now enables customers to rapidly deliver lightweight, high-performance virtual desktops to PCs and portable drives, directly from the network, and from virtualization desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments.

vDesk’s virtualization technology, with 23 virtualization patents pending, separates the user’s desktop environment, including applications, data, settings and system resources from the operating system and encapsulates it into a secure container. vDesk virtualizes components of the host Windows operating system without the need to carry a second operating system inside the virtual workspace. IT organizations use the vDesk Administration Server to create and deploy vDesk workspaces, assign security and isolation policies and provision updates to existing workspaces. vDesk provides users with a list of available workspace masters from which users can create their own personalized workspace instances.

vDesk is available immediately through RingCube.  Pricing starts at $200 per user.

RingCube Technologies

RingCube Joins VMware Technology Alliance Partner

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RingCube Technologies, provider of managed virtual workspaces, today announced (PDF) it has joined the VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program. The VMware TAP program helps technology vendors integrate their products with VMware virtualization software and deliver timely, joint solutions to mutual customers. As a member of the program, RingCube will utilize VMware resources and expertise to deliver desktop virtualization solutions that complement the VMware VDI architecture.

RingCube’s virtualization technology separates the user’s desktop environment, including applications, data, settings and system resources from the operating system and encapsulates it into a secure container. Users can run their virtual desktop at the office or on unmanaged PCs — at home, at a client site or in a hotel business center. When users start their RingCube workspace, it transforms any PC into their own familiar, personalized workspace that facilitates access to their files, applications, settings and entire desktop, as if they were on their own PC. RingCube virtual workspaces can be implemented via a variety of deployment options.

With more than 700 members worldwide, the VMware TAP program works with best-of-breed technology partners to provide them a comprehensive set of VMware technical and marketing services, support, tools and expertise to deliver enhanced value to joint customers.