What is vdi virtual desktop infrastructure

This saves IT the need to make as many new purchases or major adjustments to budget. VDI offers security improvements compared with running everything locally. All data from a VDI connection lives on the server, not the device.

In addition, the VDI environment is fully and centrally controlled from a data center. Administrators can apply software patches and updates, change configurations, and enforce policies for all virtual desktops across the deployment. In this way, VDI allows for fine-tuned control and secure isolation of OS images from a central server, which is a less complicated setup than managing laptops running OS locally.

While there are many benefits to virtual desktop infrastructure, security cannot be taken for granted with VDI. The OS images have to be properly managed and updated, and end client authentication must be rigorous. Digital workspace solutions can help in this regard via SSO, improved endpoint security , and encryption for data in transit. Performance is another key consideration with VDI.

When it first became widely available in the mid s, typical performance for VDI lagged behind that of a local OS. Occasional performance-tuning and reviews of the VDI deployment are advisable to make sure that solvable technical problems are addressed.

Assuming all supporting infrastructure is functioning as intended, a user who remotely accesses a VDI solution from their endpoint can interact with applications and data as if they were running locally. This setup lets users safely access everything they need from virtually any device, without requiring specific hardware. Augmented by solutions for convenient single sign-on SSO and secure remote access, virtual desktops can also be run and managed alongside the growing spectrum of cloud, web, and mobile apps that are integral to modern workflows.

Employees get a unified experience that enables greater productivity, while IT avoids silos and mitigates the risk of unauthorized logins. In other words, VDI in the context of a digital workspace platform contributes to a superior working environment without compromising on security. As part of the digital workspace experience, it delivers a consistent experience across devices including PCs, tablets, smartphones, and thin clients, giving employees and contractors a high degree of freedom in how they work.

Citrix offers a diverse portfolio of desktop virtualization solutions serving organizations of all types and sizes. Alongside Citrix Workspace , it can ensure the best possible VDI experience by giving employees comprehensive and secure access to everything they need to stay productive from anywhere. What is desktop as a service DaaS? Desktop and application virtualization—a complete guide.

In North America: 1 Solutions Solutions. Digital Workspaces. Unified Endpoint Management. Application Delivery. Secure Access. Content Collaboration. Collaborative Work Management. Boost Productivity Support employee well-being Enable a hybrid workforce Transform employee experience. Small business. What is Citrix Workspace? All rights reserved. For additional legal information, please go here. Enter your name:. What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure?

Each VM contains an OS image Microsoft Windows is more common compared to Linux and is allocated access to limited hardware resources connected to the server. A stable network connection between the server and the end client is needed to ensure continuous access to the virtual desktop. The connection broker assigns an appropriate virtual desktop from the central resource pool to each client, while the hypervisor creates and manages each VM that encapsulates the individual VDI environment.

Ditto for backup. All data and applications are stored and accessed from a central location, simplifying backup and restore processes. There is little need for computing or storage, if any, at the endpoints. This lets IT repurpose old or less powerful desktops as endpoints. When there is a need for scaling up the number of users, organizations can purchase and allocate thin clients to them or even let them use their own devices, given the recent surge in BYOD and remote work practices.

In the event of a problem with the endpoint device, the user can quickly switch over to another readily available device without worrying about minimum requirements. VDI offers significant benefits in security , given that critical data is always stored on the server. Unless an attacker has infiltrated a live session, there is no danger of data loss in the event of device theft. This approach also protects the organization from ransomware and malware. VDI also has its drawbacks, but they are mostly specific to the technology: The compute, storage, and software licensing costs of the server tend to rise quickly as the number of users and their application-related requirements increase.

Workload capacity and bandwidth needs will also balloon up proportionally. User density should be forecasted and calculated prior to implementation. VDI infrastructure can get complex because it warrants hardware and software components working in tandem. A lot depends on the internet connectivity speed of the end user and the bandwidth available in the data center. This eliminates the possibility of end users storing sensitive data on a private machine or that of their devices being hacked.

Schools and universities : VDI — and increasingly, DaaS — in schools means more opportunities for delivering and receiving education. Figure: Use case of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Read case study. To successfully implement VDI, here are some best practices that you should consider following:. Figure: How to successfully implement VDI. One of the primary reasons why organizations use VDI is due to its flexibility. Users can access their desktops from pretty much anywhere in the world using any device, as long as they have an internet connection. Further, it helps users collaborate as if they were located in the same office.

Given the fact that virtual desktop infrastructure only sends basic input and output data, you can be assured that sensitive data will never leak from the VDI environment. This makes VDI a lot more secure. While the upfront costs of VDI may seem high, over time, it can result in reduced costs, thus helping you spend on other areas of your business. Top Reasons to adopt VDI. With over a decade of experience in helping businesses navigate the complexities of design, implementation, and management of VDI environments, our exhaustive domain expertise with regard to virtual desktop infrastructure makes us the most trusted partner across leading enterprises across the world deploying remote desktops for over , users.

To book a free consultation to understand how VDI can help your business or to better understand our offerings, click here. Also, while deploying VDI can offer long-term benefits, you should be aware that it can be disruptive initially. You may, for example, find that your employees need more training than you expected or you may face some outages when technical problems are first discovered. So, in the beginning, you will need to be prepared to handle such short-term issues.

As long as you take the above-mentioned points into consideration, the benefits of VDI will be well worth the initial efforts. Businesses choose to use virtual desktops for various reasons such as increased cybersecurity, collaboration, and reduced IT costs.

Further, with a virtual desktop, employees can access their desktops from anywhere in the world — not only does this boost employee morale but it also helps the business hire qualified candidates, irrespective of where they are physically located. Using a virtual desktop is as easy as using a physical desktop.

Users can access virtual desktops from anywhere in the world through a connection broker, which acts as an intermediary between the server and the user. Once connected, users can interact with data and applications on the virtual desktop like they would in the case of a physical desktop. A virtual desktop gives users the ability to access their desktops, applications, and data from anywhere in the world, on any device.

Many businesses have been using virtual desktops because they are centrally managed, thus eliminating the need for app installations and updates on individual desktops. Further, based on the type of desktop virtualization technology that is being used, the end-users may or may not be able to customize their desktops and save data locally. Further, make sure to also check how reputable the vendor is.

With a legacy spanning over 10 years and having partnered with technology companies like Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware, Anunta Tech is a prime choice for enterprises looking for VDI solutions, across the world. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Contact Us. Table of contents What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure? Why do you need VDI? How does VDI work? Why should you use VDI in your organization? How Does VDI work?