Citrix FlexCast: What is it Really?
July 23rd, 2010
So Citrix changes names and terminology every so often, right? OK, that’s the understatement of the century!
From MetaFrame to MetaFrame Presentation Server, to Presentation Server, to XenApp + XenDesktop, to XenDesktop with FlexCast.. whew! I may have even missed a few 
Citrix FlexCast is.. well.. watch the video!
Citrix FlexCast: Overview
Different types of workers across the enterprise need different types of desktops. Some require simplicity and standardization, while others require high performance and personalization.
XenDesktop can meet these requirements in a single solution with its unique FlexCast™ delivery technology.
With FlexCast™, IT can deliver every type of virtual desktop – each specifically tailored to meet the performance, security and flexibility requirements of each individual user. There are five delivery options:
FlexCast for Apps: Hosted Shared, Hosted VM, and Streamed
Allows any Windows® application to be centralized and managed in the datacenter, hosted either on multi-user terminal servers or virtual machines, and instantly delivered as a service to physical and virtual desktops. Optimized for each user device, network and location, applications are delivered via a high speed protocol for use while connected or streamed via Citrix application virtualization or Microsoft App-V directly to the endpoint for use when offline.
Local VM
Local VM desktops extend the benefits of centralized, single-instance management to mobile workers that need to use their laptops offline. When they are able to connect to a suitable network, changes to the OS, apps and user data are automatically synchronized with the datacenter.
Streamed VHD
Streamed VHDs leverage the local processing power of rich clients, while providing centralized single-image management of the desktop. This approach offers an easy, low-cost way for customers to get started with desktop virtualization by leveraging existing PC resources and keeping datacenter overhead to a minimum. It can also be ideal for government and university labs that use diskless PCs for maximum data security.
Hosted VDI
Hosted VDI desktops offer a personalized Windows® desktop experience, typically needed by office workers, which can be securely delivered over any network to any device. This option combines the benefits of central management with full user personalization, and can generally support up to 150 desktops per server.
Hosted Shared
Hosted Shared desktops provide a locked down, streamlined and standardized environment with a core set of applications, ideally suited for task workers where personalization is not needed – or allowed. Supporting up to 500 users on a single server, this model offers a significant cost savings over any other virtual desktop technology.
Citrix extended its 2-for-1 trade up promotion until the end of 2010
