The Ultimate VDI Guide for Businesses and 5 Best Solutions

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) has become an increasingly popular technology for businesses in recent years. By hosting desktop environments on centralized servers in a data center, VDI provides employees secure and convenient access to their desktops, applications, and data from any device.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about VDI for your business, including:

• What is VDI and how it works
• Types of VDI deployments
• Key benefits of VDI for businesses
• VDI use cases and applications
• Factors to consider when implementing VDI
• 5 best VDI solutions for businesses

What is VDI and How Does it Work?

VDI stands for virtual desktop infrastructure. It refers to the technology that allows desktop operating systems, applications, and data to be hosted in a data center rather than on local devices.

With VDI, desktop environments run inside virtual machines (VMs) on servers in the data center. Users can access their virtual desktop from any endpoint device, whether they are in the office, at home, or on the go. The device simply acts as a thin client that remotes into the virtual desktop over a network connection.

VDI architecture with virtual desktops hosted on centralized servers

The key components of a VDI architecture include:

• Hypervisor: The hypervisor, or virtual machine monitor (VMM), is software that creates and runs the virtual machines. Popular hypervisors for VDI include VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix Hypervisor.

• Virtual desktops: The virtual machines created by the hypervisor host versions of desktop operating systems, like Windows and Linux. Each virtual machine runs apps and stores data independently.

• Remote display protocol: A display protocol like RDP or HDX enables the remote desktop connection between the endpoint device and the virtual machine. This transmits the desktop image, keyboard/mouse inputs, audio etc.

• Connection broker: The connection broker manages user access and connections to the virtual machines. When a user logs in, the broker authenticates them and provides access to the appropriate virtual desktop based on permissions.

• Data center infrastructure: The servers, storage, networking, security, and operations form the backbone of the VDI environment in the data center. High availability and redundancy are built into the infrastructure.

When a user logs into their virtual desktop, the connection broker authenticates them and launches their assigned virtual machine. The remote display protocol transmits the virtual desktop to their endpoint device, allowing them to interact with apps and data as if running locally.

Types of VDI Deployments

There are a few ways VDI desktops can be deployed, based on how persistent and personalized the desktop is for each user:

Persistent VDI

With persistent VDI, each user is assigned a personalized virtual desktop that remains constant. Any changes, settings, or installed apps are saved permanently to their virtual desktop. This offers a consistent, customized experience.

However, persistent desktops take up more storage space and are more complex to manage. They‘re best suited when users need to install software and personalize settings.

Non-Persistent VDI

In a non-persistent deployment, user virtual desktops are provisioned from a golden image. The desktop resets back to the default template state after each session.

While users don‘t retain settings or installed software, non-persistent VDI is easier to manage and requires less storage capacity. It works well for task-based use cases.

Pooled VDI

A pooled VDI model dynamically provisions desktops to users from a pool of identical virtual machines. At the end of each session, the desktop is wiped and returned to the pool.

This maximizes resource efficiency since idle desktops aren‘t reserved for specific users. Pooled VDI aligns well with non-persistent desktops to facilitate dynamic, on-demand desktop access.

Key Benefits of VDI for Businesses

There are many compelling reasons for businesses to adopt VDI technology:

1. Centralized Management and Control

With VDI, IT can provision, manage, secure, and update all user desktop environments from the data center. There is no need for physical visits to endpoint devices.

Centralized management enables dynamic resource allocation. Compute and storage capacity can easily scale up or down to meet changing demands.

2. Enhanced Security

By storing data in the data center instead of endpoints, VDI keeps sensitive information more secure. Virtual environments are isolated from malware or theft.

IT can also strictly control access to virtual desktops through comprehensive user authentication and policies. Data encryption, backups, and disaster recovery provisions further boost security.

3. Consistent User Experience

Users get the same desktop experience regardless of the endpoint device – whether a desktop PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone etc. This enables productivity from anywhere.

IT can also ensure uniform policy enforcement, software versions, connectivity, and performance across all virtual desktops.

4. Simplified Endpoint Management

With data and apps hosted centrally, endpoint devices only need basic browsers or thin client software. There is no need for complex endpoint configurations, security tools, data backups etc.

New devices can be deployed instantly. Endpoints can also be replaced independently without affecting the VDI environment.

5. Business Continuity and DR

Since data is stored on centralized servers, VDI environments can ensure 24/7 application availability and optimize business continuity. Users can quickly resume work from any device in the event of disruptions.

Built-in high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery provisions like backups and replication protect from outages.

6. Flexible, Scalable Computing

VDI allows dynamic scaling of desktop capacity, compute power, and storage to match changing business requirements. IT can provision new desktops instantly while leveraging the latest hardware.

Resources can also be balanced between desktops based on usage. When demand is low, desktops can be consolidated to fewer servers.

7. Lower Costs

VDI optimizes hardware utilization since multiple desktops share the data center infrastructure. Businesses save on endpoint devices, energy consumption, real estate, and IT support costs.

There are also savings from extending endpoint lifespan and enabling a cloud-based workforce with BYOD. Easier OS migration and software licensing are added benefits.

VDI Use Cases and Applications

VDI is versatile technology that serves many modern business use cases:

• Remote and mobile workforce – VDI enables secure remote work from anywhere using smartphones, tablets, thin clients etc.

• Business continuity – Employees can work from home using personal devices during disruptions like weather events or pandemics.

• Secure access – Isolate and tightly control access to sensitive systems like financial applications.

• Temporary workstations – Quickly set up desktops for contractors, seasonal workers etc. without onboarding/offboarding.

• Software development – Provide developers access to multiple programming environments through virtual desktops.

• Task workers – Streamline workflows and enable user mobility with non-persistent pooled desktops.

• Call centers – Facilitate work from home for agents and improve efficiency.

• Healthcare – Physicians can access clinical systems securely from different endpoints.

• Training – Employees can be trained on virtual desktops with preconfigured apps before onboarding.

• Disaster recovery – Critical systems can be replicated across data centers to enable continuity.

For almost any digital workspace need – simplified management, security, mobility, flexibility, and efficiency – VDI can provide compelling benefits.

Key Factors to Consider When Implementing VDI

However, effectively implementing and managing VDI involves some considerations:

• Infrastructure – VDI shifts hardware needs from endpoints to data centers. Assess server, storage, and networking capacity needed to host all desktops.

• Scalability – The infrastructure must be able to scale up seamlessly as demand grows. Overprovisioning resources helps.

• Performance – Ensure adequate compute, memory, storage, and bandwidth to deliver optimal performance to users. Poor performance will impact user experience.

• Availability – Build redundancy into the infrastructure to eliminate single points of failure. Meet defined uptime SLAs.

• Graphics – Graphics-intensive use cases like CAD may require GPU resources for acceptable performance.

• OS and apps – Assess virtualizing legacy or proprietary apps that may not be designed for VDI environments.

• Image management – Streamline creating, provisioning, updating, and backing up desktop images to simplify management.

• Security – Evaluate extra mechanisms like microsegmentation, encryption, multifactor authentication to further secure VDI.

• Licensing – Account for OS, hypervisor, and per-user app licensing costs, which are shifted from endpoints.

• Backup – Ensure adequate backup mechanisms like snapshots to facilitate recovery from outages or corruption.

With careful planning and partnerships with experienced vendors, these considerations can be effectively addressed when rolling out VDI.

5 Best VDI Solutions for Businesses

Many software vendors offer purpose-built VDI solutions. Here are 5 leading options that provide enterprise-grade capabilities:

1. VMware Horizon

VMware is an industry leader in virtualization and VDI technology. VMware Horizon brings together comprehensive capabilities for managing virtualized apps and desktops across on-premises or cloud environments.

With Horizon, IT can deliver Windows, Linux, cloud-hosted, and SaaS based workspaces rapidly from a unified platform. Powerful remote display protocols ensure excellent end user experience on any device.

Horizon streamlines deploying, configuring, optimizing, and securing virtual workspaces using industry-leading VMware infrastructure. It integrates seamlessly with vSphere hypervisors, NSX networking, and vSAN storage in the data center.

Robust security features include contextual access control, multi-factor authentication, encryption, and isolation of workloads. Horizon is an ideal solution for large enterprises and offers flexible on-premises or cloud deployment.

2. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

Citrix provides a complete, enterprise-grade VDI solution with Virtual Apps and Desktops. It enables IT to deliver Windows, Linux, web, and SaaS apps alongside virtual desktops from any cloud or on-premises infrastructure.

Citrix utilizes industry-leading HDX display protocol technology to ensure optimal user experience regardless of network conditions. Virtual apps and desktops maintain high performance across devices and locations.

For management simplicity, Citrix offers unified VDI, app virtualization, and secure digital perimeter capabilities within a single control plane. Automation and orchestration streamline rollout, updates, andOPS tasks.

Robust security features include contextual access control, app protection policies, and endpoint analysis by Citrix Analytics. Citrix VDI scales seamlessly from small teams to large enterprises.

3. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft‘s comprehensive VDI solution natively built for Azure infrastructure. It provides simplified management for Windows virtual apps and desktops hosted in Azure.

IT admins can easily set up multi-session Windows 10 desktops using Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) and FSLogix profile containers. Scaling capacity up or down is seamless.

Benefits include built-in security controls, load balancing, auto-scaling, and tooling for image building, management, and diagnostics. Microsoft ensures optimized integrations with Azure Active Directory, networking, storage, and other services.

With broad app compatibility and flexible access from any device, Azure Virtual Desktop is ideal for modern remote work needs. It offers a cost-efficient licensing model based on active user sessions.

4. Amazon WorkSpaces

Amazon WorkSpaces delivers simple, secure VDI hosted on AWS infrastructure. Users get high-performance Windows or Linux desktops that can be accessed from any supported device.

WorkSpaces integrates tightly with AWS services like EC2, S3, VPC, Directory Service, Key Management, and CloudTrail. This enables secure remote access, automation, monitoring, and backup capabilities.

Desktops can be deployed and scaled rapidly using the AWS Management Console or APIs. IT can customize images, assign desktops, manage users, and monitor usage centrally.

Amazon WorkSpaces is ideal for mid-sized organizations that want a fully-managed, secure VDI service without upfront investments. It offers flexible hourly and monthly pricing.

5. Cisco VDI Solutions

Cisco offers powerful on-premises and cloud-delivered VDI solutions suitable for enterprises. Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) integrates robust hyperconverged infrastructure to host Citrix-based virtual apps and desktops.

For simpler, hybrid deployments, Cisco HyperFlex Anywhere brings preconfigured VDI environments with pay-as-you-grow pricing. Fully managed Azure Virtual Desktop is also available through Cisco Plus.

These solutions leverage Cisco‘s proven data center networking, security, analytics, and management capabilities. Turnkey designs, validated architectures, and experienced technical support enable accelerated and lower risk VDI rollouts.

With flexible offerings for any business, robust infrastructure foundation, and full lifecycle services, Cisco provides enterprise-class VDI solutions.

Conclusion: VDI Powers the Modern Workplace

VDI has clearly become vital technology enabling the needs of today‘s mobile, distributed workforces while empowering IT with improved control, security, and efficiency.

By centrally hosting desktops and apps in a data center and delivering them to users on any device, VDI provides unmatched flexibility alongside robust management capabilities.

After carefully evaluating their needs and readiness, businesses of all sizes can find excellent VDI solutions from industry leaders like VMware, Citrix, Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco.

With proper planning and execution, VDI allows organizations to fully transform to cloud-based digital workspaces. This supports business objectives like workplace mobility, user productivity, operational resilience, and data security.

VDI adoption requires upfront analysis and investment – but the long-term dividends make it one of the most strategic technologies for empowering modern workforces.