What is Desktop
Virtualization ?
Like in server
virtualization, Operating system is abstracted from the physical hardware and
hardware resource like CPU and Memory can be distributed to multiple Operating
Systems, similarly in Desktop Virtualization, the desktop operating system
like Windows 7 or Windows 8 are virtualized and centrally managed. These
Virtualized desktops are accessed through client (plugin), which can be
installed on any endpoints like Desktop, Laptop, thin client, zero client,
tabs, mobile running any OS like Windows, iOS, Android or Linux. This gives lot
of flexibility for users to work from anywhere, anytime and through any device
without compromising on company security as the complete virtualized desktops
are centrally managed. All the policies can be applied on desktops or groups of
desktops and you decide what
users see on their desktops.
Similarly
Application Virtualization is abstraction of application from operating system.
Vmware ThinApp encapsulates application and further it can streamed or
published to any Virtual Desktop. One of the best application I can think of is
running IE6 on Windows 7.
Currently there are
two major competitors Vmware Horizon View/ThinApp and Citrix Xendesktop/
XenApp, both are leaders in magic quadrant. Other Desktop virtualization
solutions include MS VDI and Redhat VDI. Everyone has different approach to
achieve the same outcome, few are complex to setup and complex to use. I will try
to cover the basic architecture of Vmware Horizon View for desktop
virtualization
There are lot of
components involved to achieve complete desktop virtualization solution, I will
just touch base to setup normal desktop virtualization with minimum components.
The Desktop Virtualization infrastructure sits on top of server virtualization
(ESXi hosts and vCenter). The Connection server interacts with vCenter Server
to deploy any virtual desktop through templates or linked clones (VMware composer). These
desktop images (template) needs to have view agent, and the end points(laptop,
thin client, ipad etc) needs to have a view client.
Components
Description:
vSphere ESXi - Host
to run Virtual Desktops or other virtual machines.
vCenter Server -
Management software to manage all ESXi hosts and Virtual Machines.
Connection Server
(View Manager) - Broker, which provisions desktops on ESXi hosts through
vCenter Server. It connects the end users to their respective virtual desktops.
ThinApp -
Application virtualization, applications could be streamed separately along
with Virtual Desktops
VMware composer -
Works along with connection server & vCenter Server and with the help
linked clone create multiple virtual
desktops in minutes.
I hope the post was
helpful in understanding the basics of desktop virtualization and basic
understanding of VMware horizon view architecture.
Year 2010 is the peak point for desktop virtualization term. This technology has gone under number of variations. All products and services related to this term created several other terms associated with this, but the main thread was always CLOUD. Application virtualization or delivery was one of those widely accepted term. Vendors starded delivery such products to optimize the work at IT management cost-effectively. The concept BYOD and Remote Access was outcome of this technology revolution. The overall revolution was headed by Desktop Virtualization which was the main componant. Now a days there are many customized options are available. Market leaders like VMWARE, CITRIX, etc are dominating this space but still there are great opportunities for SMB's and SME's who are providing customized solutions cost effectively. This is what desktop virtualization in short. Thank you to apportunate me to say my words.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day! and Keep on posting on such a technology of future!
Thanks for your contribution Sunny... Have a great day!!
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