The Great Desktop Virtualization Debate
Desktop virtualization has been around for...I don't know. About at least 20
years. But there's a new debate over VDI, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.
Citrix has long had server-based thin client computing, so VDI isn't the first
stab at this kind of processing. Instead, VDI adds an additional layer of virtualization
on top of the hardware so that each client has a more dedicated experience (virtual
gurus, feel free to correct or polish my definition by writing dbarney@redmondmag.com).
Of course, others do have differing definitions. What does VDI actually mean?
The answer is murky and is discussed here.
VMware is getting deeper in the VDI game with the release of VMware
View 3, a suite of tools that creates images for users' virtual desktops,
allows users to work even when they're offline (a big shortcoming of thin clients),
and also includes virtual printing.
Some believe VDI isn't
ready for prime time. Here's
what Citrix thinks.
Posted by Doug Barney on December 03, 2008