Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Virtual machines have quickly become the de facto standard for adding servers to the data center. The argument is now, Justify why a physical server is needed rather than a VM. And it’s no wonder- virtual machines are more cost effective, centrally managed, and have a lower TCO. However, this wasn’t always the case and it took a while to catch on.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has had a similar road. When VDI was first explored in the early 2000’s there were many obstacles.
- Firstly, the infrastructure was too expensive and complex.
- There also wasn’t any “VDI software”, which meant a VDI implementation consisted of several disjointed technologies, such as data center virtualization, Terminal Services, and thin client deployment tools.
Fast forward to today:
- The infrastructure cost and complexity is a small FRACTION of what it used to be with technologies like Dell’s EqualLogic SAN.
- Microsoft, VMware, and Citrix are all vested in VDI and virtualization, as well as several other companies.
- VMware and Citrix both have powerful VDI solutions that just plain makes sense today, much like server virtualization in the data center.
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