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When you enter “VDI comparison” in google, the first hit you get is actually one of my first blogpost I published 2 years ago. The blogpost is about a VDI-broker feature comparison created by Quest. Although it was a useful document (to see which features Quest vWorkspace has), it wasn’t created by (an) independent person(s).
It’s quit amazing to see that Virtualfuture.info is still number 1 hit for “VDI comparison”. First of all because we didn’t create the comparison chart and second of all, since then, no one else created one. Until now!
Ruben Spruijt from PQR, with the help of a number of colleagues (including me), created something more than just a feature comparison: the VDI smackdown whitepaper!
If you are looking for an independent overview of the Server Hosted Desktop Virtualization (VDI) solutions and curious about the different features- and functions each Desktop Virtualization vendor is offering!? This is the whitepaper you definitely must read!
In the current market there is an increasing demand for unbiased information about Desktop Virtualization solutions. This white paper is focused on solutions that are anticipated to have an important role in VDI deployments. An overview of available features of each solution is created to better understand each solutions capability.
Also read Ruben’s post at brianmadden.com. Comment or mail Ruben for feedback!
Migrating to Windows 7 is something many companies will face the next couple of years. Using desktop virtualization or VDI in the process is something a lot of those companies consider (read Ruben Spruijt’s article about the different types of dekstop virtualization and the role of Windows 7). In this article I would like to point out a couple of challenges a company might face when migrating from XP to Windows 7 using VDI. Don’t expect to learn about the advantages of VDI or about best practices for migrating to Windows 7 in general.
Here is my top 7 challenges migrating to Windows 7 using VDI. Feel free to comment. Read the rest of this entry »
Today Citrix announced XenApp 6, which will be available starting March 24th. XenApp6 will only be available on Windows 2008 R2 (x64 only). Alongside XenApp 6, Citrix will also make available XenApp 5 Feature Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003 and 2008.
XenApp 6 offers major new enhancements that simplify computing for IT, including easier central management, enhanced enterprise scalability and seamless integration with Microsoft technologies like App-V and Windows Server 2008 R2. XenApp 6 also improves productivity for end users with extensive new high-definition HDX™ technology enhancements and simplified self-service access to apps from any device, including PCs, Macs, laptops and smart phones.
Read the entire XenApp 6 announcement.
Reasons to upgrade (IMHO):
- AppCenter simplifies application management with a single, more intuitive console.
- HDX RealTime collaboration enables real-time audio and video collaboration using Microsoft Office Communicator and VoIP softphones.
- HDX Plug-n-Play for Windows portable USB devices ensures a seamless user experience with expanded USB support for POS interfaces, webcams, microphones, scanners and more.
- App-V integration enables IT to manage and deliver both Citrix and Microsoft virtual applications on demand from a single point with Microsoft App-V.
Reasons NOT to upgrade:
- Windows 2008 R2 = x64 only! You might have (a) business critical application(s) which won’t work on a 64-bit OS.
As I was playing around with XenDesktop 4, I had some trouble connecting the Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller to the vCenter server. And as 95% of Xendesktop deployments are on VMware VI or vSphere, I thought this tip could be useful for you as wel. Read the rest of this entry »
Citrix last week released their Virtual Desktop product named Citrix XenDesktop 4. For Citrix it is the 3rd (have you ever seen 1.0 ?) generation of their VDI product. As part of the VDI Blog Battle. I’ll be using this post to update you on the architecture and basic info concerning Citrix XenDesktop 4.
What is Citrix XenDesktop ?
In my previous post, and in Svens previous post we already explained what VDI is so I’ll skip that part.
Citrix announced XenDesktop 4 like this:
“A groundbreaking new product that makes virtual desktops a mainstream reality for hundreds of millions of corporate users for the first time ever.”
