Virtualization.com

News and insights from the vibrant world of virtualization and cloud computing

VDI

ChangeBASE Now Covers Microsoft Windows Desktop Virtualization Technologies

by 2 Comments

ChangeBASE, which provides automated application compatibility testing and remediation solutions, has created a new application compatibility tool for companies considering moving to a session virtualization or virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment with Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services (RDS).

The AOK Tool helps to determine which applications will work optimally in a server-hosted desktop virtualization environment on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Using the AOK Tool together with the recently launched ChangeBASE reporting rules and plug-ins for RDS which have been developed together with Microsoft makes it easier to find out which applications will work out of the box and which ones may experience issues.

RDS is one of the core virtualisation technologies available in Windows Server 2008 R2.

In addition to the traditional session virtualisation scenario (formerly known as Terminal Services), RDS has expanded its role to provide an extensible platform for VDI.

RDS, which separates where the desktop or application is used from where it is run, accelerates desktop & application deployments and improves remote worker efficiency, while helping to keep critical intellectual property secure and to simplify regulatory compliance.

Citrix Acquires “VDI-in-a-Box” Company Kaviza

by Leave a Comment

Citrix Systems recently announced that it has acquired Kaviza, makers of an all-in-one “VDI-in-a-Box” solution for small and medium business. It complements the company’s XenDesktop product line for enterprise-class desktop virtualization.

Kaviza VDI-in-a-Box is not just a scaled-down enterprise product, but instead gives SMB customers everything they need to “go virtual” with VDI in a single, easy-to-deploy software virtual appliance.

Customers can continue to purchase VDI-in-a-box from Kaviza resellers. Starting July 1, 2011 customers will also be able to buy from Citrix Solution Advisors.

Virtual Bridges Launches Teacher’s Pet Program, A Free Virtual Desktop Offering

by Leave a Comment

Virtual Bridges has announced the launch of the Teacher’s Pet Program, an exclusive opportunity for K-12 school districts to receive complimentary desktop virtualization licenses.

The program is designed to support educators facing severely reduced budgets by providing technology that eases desktop management, reduces labor costs, extends PC lifecycles and reduces security risks.

The Teacher’s Pet Program is open to K-12 organizations at accredited institutions in the United States. In addition to 50 free licenses of VERDE VDI Gen2, the program offers:

– Single server deployment
– Remote install and troubleshooting
– E-mail support 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday
– Annual maintenance of only $2,000 for all 50 seats
– A 50 percent discount on additional licenses purchased within 60 days

VERDE eliminates the need to track, maintain, upgrade, repair and keep virus-free all desktop and notebook computers scattered across the district. Additionally, VERDE provides flexibility, allowing teachers and students to securely access desktops regardless of whether they are in the class room, working from home or studying in the library.

The Teacher’s Pet program is running through June 30, 2011.

VMware ready for “war” with Citrix

by 1 Comment

Yesterday at “VMworld day 0” (the partner and developer day) at the partner briefing, VMware VP of Field Operations Carl Eschenbach was sounding pretty confident about the future of desktop virtualization.

VMware has been banging the VDI drum for a few years now. So far VMware has signed up a little over 7000 customers, good for +1M seats. Yet Citrix still has higher top of mind awareness when it comes to centralized end-user computing environments.

VMware is confident that with upcoming new releases of VMware View and the PC over IP protocol (developed together with Terradici) they can offer a much richer experience than Citrix with XenApp.

A few quotes from this presentation are too good to leave out:

“We started with desktop products 11 years ago. We know more about this field than anyone else.”

The money quote though came right at the finish:

“Citrix better buckle up, because they’re going to war with us, and we’re ready!”

Leostream Updates Connection Broker

by Leave a Comment

Leostream today announced new functionality has been added to its vendor-neutral connection broker that simplifies the management of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Already the most effective technology of its kind for VDI deployments in heterogeneous environments, the Leostream Connection Broker 6.1 now also features enhanced policy and reporting capabilities, power control for physical machines, Web browser access to Citrix XenApp applications, and bulk delete, refresh and release actions for even easier IT administration.

The latest version closely follows the April release of the Leostream Connection Broker 6.0. Leostream’s goal has long been to anticipate market demand for virtualization solutions and continually build upon its already mature connection management technology to meet this demand. This is especially important for enterprises that need to handle the multi-vendor environments that invariably exist in larger-scale virtualization projects. As a result, the Leostream Connection Broker provides organizations with the capability to integrate existing technology easily and achieve the maximum ROI for end-user computing.

The Leostream Connection Broker, delivered as a virtual appliance, is the software management layer that ties desktop images in the data center to users’ thin client, laptop, desktop or Web interface. It allows enterprises to provide end-users with a virtual desktop experience equal or superior to traditional desktops. End-users can access their virtual desktop from any machine, regardless of location, due to the technology’s ability to direct users to their own virtual desktop image. IT managers can also maximize the virtualization of existing resources by easily integrating an array of clients, back-end systems and viewers. Additionally, the product integrates with existing data center infrastructure without changes, including authentication services and SSL VPN systems, and provides a rich set of policies for the exact implementation of business rules for users and machines.

Particular highlights of Leostream Connection Broker 6.1 include:

  • Policy Enhancements: Expanded flexibility of policies offers “granular customization” to suit an enterprise’s precise needs.
    • Policies can now be applied to hard-assigned desktops, providing consistent policy application for all types of machine assignment.
    • Policies now allow administrators to offer as many resources as desired to the end-user, but can limit the number of machines actually assigned to a set limit, improving control of license usage.
    • Power control and release policies make it easier to reuse power and assignment options.
  • Enhanced Reporting: New reporting features have been added to give IT greater insight and control. A metrics report provides information on disk usage and load averages for all Connection Brokers in a cluster, with another report summarizing the setup of all policies.
  • Web Browser Access to Citrix XenApp: An extension of the Connection Broker’s current XenApp functionality, end-users can now launch Citrix XenApp desktops and applications via the Connection Broker Web browser.
  • Access and Power Control for Physical Machines: The Connection Broker can make Microsoft SMS server calls to power up physical machines. This Wake-on-LAN feature allows users the convenience of starting and accessing physical machines from remote locations, while providing enterprises with greater control over power use.
  • Bulk Actions for Improved IT Management: Bulk delete, refresh and release actions bring improved ease-of-use to IT administrators.

Propalms Plots A New Virtual Desktop Solution

by Leave a Comment

Propalms has announced some details of its current development project which is due to be completed in Q3 of 2009.

Building on years of delivering applications in the Terminal Services arena, Propalms are due to release a new product to the market, Propalms VDI. Propalms VDI is a highly scalable Virtual Desktop solution capable of provisioning, managing, and brokering connections to virtual and physical machines running various client operating systems.

“With our Terminal Services and VDI solutions we feel that we are ideally placed to offer customers the right solution for their application delivery requirements, and we see the VDI market an ideal growth area for Propalms.” Stated Owen Dukes CEO, Propalms Inc.