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Boost Your Business with VDI and Parallels RAS
Reduce hardware dependency and improve flexibility by providing instant access to remote desktops and apps from a centralized server to any device.
The desktop image of the operating system runs on virtual machines (VMs) over a hypervisor and is delivered to endpoint devices (like laptops, desktops, tablets, or smartphones) over a network. Users can then use the endpoint devices to interact with the operating system and its apps.
All VDI deployments possess the following characteristics:
VDI ensures secure and convenient remote access for modern digital workspaces to maintain a consistent experience across different devices.
VDI comprises servers that “host” desktop operating systems and application software inside “guest” virtual machines that are accessible from any kind of device. Thus, at its core, VDI allows hardware and software to be abstracted on both the server and client-side.
VDI uses a hypervisor to install multiple desktop operating systems as virtual machines on a server. This hypervisor, which can be either hardware-based (bare-metal) or software-based (hosted), also manages the VMs, allowing each to operate as a standalone computer with the required, virtualized hardware and software resources, e.g. applications, at its disposal.
The hypervisor is also responsible for brokering the connections of the client devices to the VMs on the servers. The client devices, or “virtual desktops,” connect to the server, power up a VM’s operating system, then run the necessary applications that reside within the same VM.
As VMs have virtualized the hardware resources serving the operating systems and applications, the actual machines running the virtual desktops can be of any type, e.g. desktop or laptop PCs, tablets, and even mobile phones. They do not even need to meet minimal requirements for running OS and applications anymore. The savings that arise from this capability one of the selling points for VDI.
VDI is not synonymous with desktop virtualization as a category. Desktop virtualization consists of a single desktop computer, running a single guest virtual machine. VDI, however, is an alternative to other forms of virtual desktop delivery (like hosted shared solutions that connect endpoints to a shared desktop or local desktop virtualization where desktop environment runs directly on the client). VDI removes the desktop operating system from the local computer and places it in a shared hosting environment.
Capable server hardware is expensive, and a VDI server that can handle expected workloads might require substantial investment costs in hardware and software at the outset. The costs may rise further if you add one backup server for redundancy.
Expected savings in support costs may not materialize if many users require unique applications with their own personalized settings. This might make your VDI infrastructure more difficult to administer in the long run.
Since VDI essentially means your users are working off the server, if the server and network go down, everyone gets impacted, adversely affecting operations and resulting in lower productivity.
Users only need access to the operating system (OS) and application images on a central VDI server. This frees up IT staff from installing OS and applications on individual machines. Time-consuming OS migrations for each piece of hardware are avoided.
Only servers need to be acquired or upgraded - a wide range of supported client devices, even old ones, are able to access them. There is no need to acquire new or upgrade existing hardware regularly. Users who practice BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, can access the VDI at any time.
In case of problems with client devices, there is minimal impact on user productivity, since users can always use another device with minimal system requirements. They do not have to wait for the problem with their own device to be resolved before resuming work.
Dependence on individual machines for storage is eliminated with VDI, reducing data risks if machines are misplaced, stolen or have hard drive failures. All core software, applications, and files are stored on remote servers making backup and restoration a straightforward process.
Reduce hardware dependency and improve flexibility by providing instant access to remote desktops and apps from a centralized server to any device.
In contrast, non-persistent VDI deployments do not save any changes.
Non-persistent VDI streamlines the management of devices for workers who do not need to save anything. It also reduces costs as IT does not have to manage data centers or maintain a large number of customized OS images.
There are compelling scenarios for using VDI. These include:
In today’s era of unprecedented disruption, organizations face many challenges that have compelled them to rethink their conventional business practices and processes.
Parallels offers diverse desktop virtualization solutions that serve organizations of all sizes. Parallels RAS offers application and desktop delivery, making VDI more intuitive and affordable and ensuring that users can access apps they need to remain productive within today’s digital workspaces. With Parallels RAS, you get the best possible VDI experience using multi-device, multi-app workflows. Its workspace gives employees secure and comprehensive access to everything they need to stay on the go and be productive from any location they desire. Parallels RAS supports multi-cloud deployments, including Microsoft Azure (Azure IaaS) and Amazon Web Services™ (AWS).