VDI Buyer s Guide: A detailed, objective comparison of top VDI and thin client tools

Transcription

1 : A detailed, objective comparison of top VDI and thin client tools

2 With so many virtual desktop technologies available in the market, and each vendor claiming to have the latest and greatest offering, evaluating your options and making a purchasing decision can be challenging. Fortunately, inside this expert buyer s guide, the SearchVirtualDesktop.com editorial team compares top VDI and thin client technologies side by side to help you separate fact from fiction and make the right choice for your organization. Thin clients have evolved considerably over the last decade, with a multitude of selections now available when buyers must make the decision to purchase a client for virtual desktop infrastructure. Some virtualization vendors have more than 400 thin clients on their compatibility lists. With so many options out there, it's best to focus on the top choices from the leaders in the space. Each of these options is certified to work with Citrix, Microsoft and VMware desktop virtualization technologies. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the available thin clients or their features; I picked the vendors from an IDC report and my own professional experiences. Different thin clients will work differently for you depending on your situation, and you should check for their availability before diving into a vendor. Aside from the options in this list -- HP, IGEL, Wyse (now Dell Wyse) and 10Zig -- others to consider are Asus, Centerm (not available in the U.S.), ChipPC, DevonIT (Acer), Raytheon, Samsung, and VXL, to name a few. Hewlett-Packard t620 Flexible Thin Client This model from HP's Flexible Thin Client line has some impressive features such as the ability to have quad displays and a PCIe x16 riser slot. The t620 Page 1

3 model runs Embedded Windows 7 -- the only OS model in this line that is fully certified on all as of this writing. It features an AMD GX-217GA dual-core processor and an AMD Radeon HD 8280E graphics chip as standard, with options to move to a quad-core processor and an 8400E graphics card with the PLUS model. It comes with 4 GB of RAM standard and can be expanded up to 16 GB, also supporting solid-state storage up to 64 GB. Its ports include a 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 6 USB (2 x USB 3.0), DisplayPort, headphone and microphone. Optionally, you can get Wi-Fi and even a 100 Mbs mini PCIe Fiber network interface card (NIC). I really like the direction that HP has gone with its. It makes a quality product better by adding the "flexibility" (thus the name) that allows for the most complex and bleeding-edge environments; for instance, the Fiber NIC means you can use it for more demanding applications. I also prefer the interoperability of the HP hardware with its implementation of Remote Graphics Software that allows teams to work together on graphicsintensive applications. The warranty is a standard three-year limited, and pricing starts at around $500. You can contact HP directly to find out if the company offers evaluation products. Wyse Z90D7 (Dell) The Wyse Z Class thin client is a very popular one that has six different models. The newer D8 (based on the Windows 8 OS) models have not yet been fully certified by all the virtualization vendors, so let's look at the D7. This model uses the AMD-G756N dual-core processor at 1.65 GHz. One of the strong features of the Z Class is the ability to upgrade the RAM, with this model allowing up to 32 GB from the standard 2 GB. Also on the plus side, it supports solid-state storage and has an AMD Radeon graphics chip for a full 1900x1200 resolution via DVI, or 2560x1600 via the DisplayPort. Besides the graphics ports, it has 6 USB ports (2 x USB 3.0) to connect all your devices and an Ethernet 10/100/1000 port. Two serial ports, 1 parallel port, and 1 PS/2 port are optional for legacy connections. Page 2

4 This thin client is a workhorse and a solid one at that. One of the best things about this unit is its scalability when it comes to RAM. It won't make much of an impact increasing its RAM for the average task worker, but when heavy graphics and pure memory power is needed, this unit shines. The Wyse name is really synonymous with thin clients, and even with it moving to Dell, it still maintains that level of quality. The warranty is a standard three-year limited with on-site options available. Evaluation units are available for the D7 model only and pricing is very broad depending on options and models, but it's right around $500 to start. IGEL UD3-430 LX This device from IGEL Technology America LLC is a compact midrange platform using the VIA Eden X1 processor at 1 GHz. It comes in two flavors, one with Linux (1 GB RAM) and the other with Embedded Windows 7 (2 GB RAM). It has a nice DualView feature allowing multiple monitors with 2 DVI ports (DVI to VGA adapter available on request) with a 1920x1200 resolution. It also has three USB ports, two of which are USB 3.0. You can also add an optional "Connectivity Foot," which gives you Wi-Fi and two more USB 2.0 ports or an anti-theft USB port. To round out the ports, it has a PS/2, Ethernet (10/100/1000), Line out, Mic In and an optional smartcard reader. I have not yet implemented an IGEL thin client, but trusted sources have told me they are simple to manage, easy to configure and they just plain work. They also have one of the longest running warranties that I have seen in the thin client area. Just note that its support is entirely based overseas (it is headquartered in Germany) and its only U.S. office is in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its warranty starts as a two-year, but if you register online, it extends to five years. Pricing is around $450 depending on options and model. Evaluation units are available through IGEL. 10Zig 6818v This 10Zig device uses an AMD dual-core 165 GHz processor (whereas its sister, 5818v, uses an Intel Atom 1.86 GHz dual-core) with 2 GB of RAM standard; but it only allows for a maximum of 4 GB, which is quite low Page 3

5 compared to other new models form other manufactures. It has quad video capability of up to 2560x1600 resolution, six USB ports (including two USB 3.0 ports), audio in and out, PCI expansion slot, and a USB or internal smartcard option. It also has optional Wi-Fi and a serial port or parallel port for those really old legacy environments. This unit runs Windows 8 Embedded and is fully certified on all the. I've used 10Zig hardware mainly in industrial manufacturing, both on the shop floor as well as offices. The hardware worked almost flawlessly, but my one gripe is the earlier releases of its management software. I used the management software versioned a few years back and found it was difficult to manage several devices with configurations and updates. I am confident that has all been worked out by now. The advanced exchange option is a critical one for anyone having to replace a unit fast. The warranty is a standard three-year limited with an advanced exchange option, which is unique and very helpful in those critical replacement situations. Pricing starts at around $400, and 10Zig will pretty much offer up any model it makes for evaluation to a qualified customer. One of the primary goals of VDI is to provide a consistent user experience across devices, enabling employees to be more productive by working anywhere, on their own schedule. There are many options when it comes to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software and. A few vendors offer lower-cost products and others provide converged infrastructure offerings that are built from the major vendors' offerings. Let's take a look at the most popular VDI deployed in enterprise environments. Each of the VDI featured here provides secure environments with centralized and single-console management, while still allowing for user productivity. Citrix XenDesktop 7 Page 4

6 Citrix XenDesktop 7 is an enterprise-class, secure VDI platform that delivers virtual desktops and apps. XenDesktop with FlexCast technology supports many different types of desktop-related services virtually, such as Windows apps for tablets and mobile devices, high-end graphics and centralized security for corporate laptops. One capability that sets XenDesktop apart from others is that the platform supports a variety of hypervisors: Citrix XenServer, VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V, among others. The platform also supports 16-, 32- and 64-bit apps on Windows Server 2008 and 2012 R2, Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8, as well as apps on Mac OS X, ios and Android. To support a mobile workforce, XenDesktop lets organizations roll out virtual desktops and apps to nearly any type of device, optimizing them for large and small screens, as well as touch. Users may select authorized apps from an enterprise app store, and WAN networking is optimized to limit latency and provide highly reliable connections. XenDesktop 7 is available in Enterprise and Platinum editions. Customers can purchase XenDesktop 7 concurrent or perpetual licenses, or opt for a hosted desktop option that has a monthly subscription fee. A concurrent license for the Enterprise edition costs $397; the user/device perpetual license with support costs $405. VMware Horizon 6 Enterprise edition (with View) VMware Horizon 6 Enterprise edition, including the View desktop virtualization product, offers secure delivery of desktops, apps and online services through a unified workspace. The platform supports central image management for physical and virtual machines (VMs) running Windows XP through Windows 8.1, as well as devices operating on Windows, Mac OS or Linux. View is designed only to work on VMware's own hypervisor, ESXi. The workspace enables administrators to deliver many different kinds of applications and services, including XenApp 5.0, apps hosted by Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS), desktops hosted by Windows Server 2008 and 2012, software as a service applications and VMware ThinApp 5.0. Page 5

7 One of the most enticing features for enterprises is the platform's Blast technology, which provides optimized access over WAN and LAN connections. It also supports virtualized graphics, multimedia streaming and unified communications. With Blast, users get a consistent experience regardless of which device they're using. With its suite of products for the mobile, cloud-enabled workplace, VMware's VDI platform takes things a step further than some other. Horizon 6 Enterprise is designed to support software-defined data center operations, allocating resources dynamically to support user workloads on demand, providing self-service options, and securing user computer resources. Horizon 6 editions include Horizon View Standard, Horizon Advanced and Horizon Enterprise. Sold in 10-packs, Horizon Enterprise costs $3,630 for a one-year Named User license (dedicated to specific users), or $6,050 for a one-year Concurrent User license (virtual machines shared among users). Microsoft VDI/Remote Desktop Services Microsoft VDI is an enterprise-level virtual desktop and application delivery platform, based on Hyper-V, which requires the Windows Server Remote Desktop Services server role in Windows Server The platform supports user PCs (through the Remote Desktop Gateway component), personal and pooled virtual desktops, session-based desktops and RemoteApp programs. Microsoft VDI provides a consistent, personalized user experience on a variety of devices running Windows or Windows RT, ios, Mac OS X and Android. The Deployment Wizard enables administrators to configure server roles and automate a Microsoft VDI rollout. To store and access VMs, administrators may use their choice of direct-attached, network-attached, clustered or storage area network (SAN) storage. A unified management console enables central management of server roles, users, VMs and much more. Page 6

8 Typically, there are two licenses involved with a Microsoft VDI implementation: one for connecting to the virtual desktop infrastructure and another for accessing a virtual installation of the Windows client OS. If you use RDS to access the infrastructure, you must purchase an RDS client access license, either per device or per user. For accessing the Windows client OS, customers covered under Windows Client Software Assurance (SA) do not pay an additional charge for VDI. Without SA, however, customers must license each device through Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) for $100 per year, per device. Dell vworkspace 8.0 Originally created by Quest Software, vworkspace is Dell's VDI platform aimed at the small to medium-size business but is also used by enterprise organizations.. Integrated with Microsoft Hyper-V, vworkspace 8.0 enables organizations to virtualize applications, provide hosted VDI and deliver local VDI and Remote Desktop Services. Dell vworkspace provides fast provisioning, scalability, load balancing, diagnostics and integrated user-experience monitoring and reporting. The platform supports every major hypervisor and many different virtualization, such as Microsoft Hyper-V, Parallels, VMware ESXi and Virtual Iron, as well as Windows desktop and server operating systems through Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012, respectively. VWorkspace supports devices running ios, Android, Mac, Linux and Java. The platform provides high-quality audio and video using Microsoft Lync 2013 with the Lync VDI plug-in, and enables organizations to use directattached storage rather than a SAN. Dell vworkspace comes in two editions: Desktop and Premier. Desktop Edition supports hosted VDI and App-V, and costs about $150 per concurrent user. Premier Edition supports hosted VDI, Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) and App-V, and costs about $200 per concurrent user. Non-enterprise desktop virtualization products Page 7

9 Two popular virtualization software packages geared for non-enterprise environments are Citrix VDI-in-a-Box and Oracle VM VirtualBox. Citrix VDI-in-a-Box is wizard-driven, desktop virtualization software aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses, and it costs about half the price of XenDesktop. VirtualBox is open source virtualization software best suited to testers and home or small office users. It runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and Solaris hosts, and supports Windows NT 4.0 through Windows 8, Linux, Solaris, OpenSolaris, OS/2 and OpenBSD as guest operating systems. Page 8

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