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VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Avnet Technology Solutions Introduces Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Solution, Based on VMware Technology

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Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet, today announced a comprehensive solution to assist partners in targeting the emerging virtual desktop market in the US and Canada. Avnet Technology Solutions’ new solution combines VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) software with the services and enablement resources needed to develop market expertise and effectively implement virtual desktop environments. Partners can use virtual desktop solutions to help their customers improve manageability, increase control and enhance the security of their enterprise desktops. The centralization of desktop management through virtualization also helps companies more effectively leverage their IT resources.

Avnet’s new solution is based on VMware VDI, which includes VMware Virtual Desktop Manager and provides simplified management and secure provisioning of virtual desktops and manages user access to the virtual desktops from a wide range of devices such as Windows, Linux and Mac computers, and thin clients. By deploying the VMware platform, partners can extend business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities to their customers’ desktops and streamline desktop management to reduce operating costs, increase control and deliver complete desktop environments with greater application compatibility.

IGEL Technology Announces Certification For VMware Virtual Desktop Manager

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Igel Technology recently announced certification for VMware Virtual Desktop Manager, VMware’s connection broker, on IGEL’s Microsoft Windows XP Embedded range of Universal Desktops.

The software is available recently as a partial update for IGEL’s Windows XP Embedded models, and allows customers deploying VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to deliver an enhanced user experience.

IGEL Windows XP Embedded based Universal Desktops add additional unique benefits to VMware VDI hosted PCs. They contain many digital services above the standard Microsoft RDP, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. For example, most models come with built-in Java Runtime Environments, terminal emulation and PDF readers, allowing users to deliver certain server-based applications outside the virtual connection. This helps organizations reduce server load and enhance the desktop experience. In addition, all models come with a ThinPrint client, allowing organizations to implement sophisticated print management in VMware VDI environments as well as IGEL’s Multiscreen Agent, a free-of-charge server-side software application, designed for multi monitor environments, that allows users to maximize applications to dedicated screens even with a spanned VMware virtual desktop.

3PAR Launches Thin Copy Desktop for VMware VDI

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3PAR announced today 3PAR Thin Copy Desktop for VMware VDI, an integrated virtual desktop provisioning and management solution for VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

3PAR Thin Copy Desktop for VMware VDI is designed to let its customers automatically provision hundreds of high-performance virtual desktops that consume only a fraction of the bandwidth and storage capacity required with traditional storage.

3PAR says its Utility Storage enhances the benefits of implementing VDI on a traditional SAN by providing additional performance, simplified provisioning, and rapid recovery while reducing required capacity—benefits that are ideal for these next-generation virtualized environments.

3PAR Thin Copy Desktop for VMware VDI builds on 3PAR Virtual Copy to create a resilient utility computing infrastructure that maximizes the benefit of centralized desktop management. 3PAR Thin Copy Desktop offers high performance desktop booting, automated provisioning, and rapid desktop recovery while consuming 90% less capacity for desktop images.

3PAR also announced today enhancements to 3PAR Virtual Copy to support up to 128 read/writable snapshots per base volume and the ability to promote a child Virtual Copy snapshot to any of its read/writable parent snapshots. Up to 500 read-only snapshots per base volume also remain supported with these enhancements.

3PAR Thin Copy Desktop for VMware VDI comes with 3PAR Virtual Copy at no extra charge.

3PAR

VMware Combines VDI with Sun Microsystems’ Sun Ray Software, Adds Certification Program For Thin Clients And Professional Services Suite

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VMware issued three press releases today. One is about the company’s all new certification program to help vendors certify thin client devices for VMware VDI. From the press release:

“The new VMware certification program will enable VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure customers to choose from a wide variety of thin client devices officially certified for VMware products. VMware’s open standards ensure that thin client devices running on multiple platforms will deliver a consistent experience for virtual desktop users. Organizations choose what type of device suits their business needs and are not tied to a specific device that will only support VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.”

The company also unveiled a new integrated desktop solution offering “superior performance”, leveraging VMware’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure platform with Sun Microsystems’ Sun Ray Software and virtual display clients.

This model (VDI) streamlines desktop management while reducing desktop TCO, increasing IT’s control, improving security of data and enhancing user experience, flexibility, and productivity. Independent customer testing has found that the integrated VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Sun Ray Software solution delivered consistently better performance than competing display protocols. The solution utilizes Sun’s Appliance Link Protocol (ALP), which outperforms other display protocols when used to deliver virtual desktops over networks with high latency. Customer tests show dramatic increases in performance when using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure with ALP to deliver complete desktop environments in a WAN deployment.

The most interesting news as far as we’re concerned, was the jumpstart of a number of professional services VMware announced to aid customer in implementing virtual desktop environments. From the release:

VMware Professional Services provides proven best practices and guidance from experts in virtual infrastructure environments to maximize a customer’s investment in VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. VMware Infrastructure methodology takes into account the complete lifecycle of a customer engagement: assess, plan, build and manage. The new services, tailored to customer experience and requirements, include:

  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Jumpstart
    VMware Professional Services delivers an on-site proof of concept, a fast and convenient way to train staff on setup and explore specific considerations unique to the customer environment. During a Jumpstart, a VMware Certified Professional will train up to five staff in setting up VMware products, provide knowledge transfer and discuss best practices of deployment.
  • Application Virtualization Jumpstart
    Through application virtualization, organizations can package and deploy applications more easily, faster, and without conflict. VMware Professional Services offers customers and partners expert training on running any version of any application on a single OS without conflict.
  • Plan and Design for VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Application Virtualization
    The Plan and Design engagement begins with assessment and analysis of the customer’s key objectives and existing infrastructure. VMware Professional Services then builds a comprehensive blueprint for the VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and/or Application Virtualization deployment, including key documents needed to successfully manage the environment on an on-going basis.
  • Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) Services Acceleration Kit
    The VMware Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) Service Acceleration Kit helps simplify the process of optimizing customers’ remote and branch offices using VMware Virtual Infrastructure. The kit provides partners with knowledge and materials for remote office optimization—matching the best approach to customer requirements. By utilizing the VMware ROBO Solution Acceleration Kit, partners can rapidly expand their professional service offerings and ultimately expand their customer’s virtual infrastructures beyond the corporate headquarters.

    • [Source: The Register]

    HP & Virtualization: New Thin Client Hardware, Extended Software Offerings, Deeper Partnerships With Citrix and VMware

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    HP logo

    HP today introduced the new HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client, which it claims combines “the best of HP’s industry-leading thin client and business notebook technologies to enhance data security and improve both ease of use and reliability”.

    The company also plans to expand its Remote Graphics Software technology. HP RGS supports a remote, yet collaborative work model that helps overcome the distance barriers that can impede global organizations and delivers to remote client environments rich, local desktop-like user experiences. With HP RGS, professionals can work together, from any physical location with Internet access, and make decisions in real-time with more secure access to multimedia content including flash animations, video, hardware accelerated 2D and 3D applications.

    The HP 2533t provides enhanced access to virtual computing solutions, such as blade PCs or a virtual desktop infrastructure, and increased protection of corporate data and software applications by storing files on a secure, centralized server. No data resides on the actual mobile thin client, so companies should be assured that data is not compromised in the event the client is lost or stolen.

    In addition, HP announced its full portfolio of Citrix-Ready thin clients and blade client products is now available with Citrix XenDesktop, as well as being certified by VMware for compatibility with its VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

    “Today’s news is the latest example of HP’s building momentum in the client virtualization market,” said Roberto Moctezuma, vice president and general manager, Desktop Solutions Organization, HP. “We’re offering businesses a one-stop shop to meet their virtualization needs with the most comprehensive portfolio of virtual client solutions, ease of management and the highest levels of IT security.”

    HP thin clients are now certified for the Citrix XenDesktop appliance program across the line, with the HP Compaq t5730 Thin Client delivering the “Desktop Appliance Plus” experience and verified Citrix-Ready for Citrix Password Manager, Citrix XenApp (Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 & 4.5), Citrix XenDesktop and an embedded Desktop Receiver.

    “With the availability of XenDesktop, Citrix uniquely delivers virtual desktops that dramatically reduce the cost of ownership for IT, while providing a superior user experience for knowledge workers,” said Raj Dhingra, vice president and general manager, Desktop Delivery Group, Citrix Systems. “We are excited to be demonstrating the results of our collaboration at Synergy 2008. The Citrix and HP relationship enables enterprises to quickly implement and manage a best-of-breed client virtualization solution from the data center to the desktop.”

    Today’s expansion of the HP virtualization portfolio also extends the recently introduced ProLiant iVirtualization joint venture with Citrix, VMware and Microsoft, which uses customers’ existing server management tools to integrate virtualization technology directly into a broad range of HP ProLiant and BladeSystem platforms.

    Tech Data & VMWare Take Their Partnership To A New Level

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    virtualization-techdata.pngTech Data has announced it will start selling VMWare’s desktop and data center virtualization solutions, in addition to its existing offer including virtualization solutions from Virtual Iron, Parallels, and Citrix’s XenServer (ex-XenSource).

    Tech Data previously worked with VMware only through OEM agreements with HP and IBM. As of now, it can separately sell the desktop and data center virtualization solutions including VMware Infrastructure suite, VMware VirtualCenter, VMware Capacity Planner, VMware Lab Manager, VMware Workstation, VMware ACE, VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and VMware Fusion.

    Senior VP and General Manager of Tech Data Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Pete Peterson got his first official certification and thus became one of 200 TD employees who can call himself a VMWare Sales Professional (VSP).

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    VMware will fall under Peterson’s Advanced Infrastructure Solutions division. In addition to 200 VSPs, Tech Data also has 10 VMware Certified Professionals (VCP) and hopes to double both numbers in the next 90 days, Peterson said.

    “We’re really excited about this new partnership. They’re a $1.3 billion software virtualization company. Clearly, they are the market leader in this space. Virtualization is a huge opportunity for most IT shops today and a focus for our resellers,” Peterson said. “They say 5 percent of all servers globally that have virtualization software on them. Our goal is to make sure when we include it when we initially sell servers, but there’s also a huge install base that we have an opportunity to sell into as well.”

    Tech Data joins Avnet, Arrow Electronics, Ingram Micro Inc. and Lifeboat Distribution as VMware distributors in the U.S.

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    Company Index: VMWare

    [Source: ChannelWeb]