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VSPEX Offers Even More Flexibility In Citrix Environments

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When we introduced VSPEX, we made a commitment to helping meet unique business needs while giving partners the flexibility to choose the technology that works.  Today, we are furthering this commitment by introducing new solutions for End User Computing with Citrix XenDesktop 7.

While our original VSPEX with Citrix solutions, which were built on XenDesktop 6.5 and EMC’s VNX unified storage array, were some of our most popular Proven Infrastructure solutions, neither EMC nor Citrix were content to stop there.

As innovations advanced, we updated our VSPEX solutions to include XenDesktop 7, demonstrating a commitment to businesses that prefer Citrix for their private cloud and end user computing deployments. VSPEX recently introduced flexibility at the storage layer for the first time via reference architectures featuring EMC’s XtremIO and ScaleIO products. With these new storage technologies, we saw a great opportunity to expand our Citrix options in both scale and performance.

The first new solution we’re introducing is a VSPEX built on XtremIO proven with XenDesktop 7 to meet the most challenging performance and scale requirements. The second is a VSPEX built on EMC ScaleIO and proven with XenDesktop 7 for businesses that need to start small and scale out.

Citrix Pulse

XtremIO’s industry-leading all-flash array  not only provides best-in-class performance with an amazing better than physical desktop experience for XenDesktop end users, but XtremIO also delivers simple volume provisioning and management, always-on , in-line data deduplication, and near-instant space efficient snapshots with zero performance overhead.  These solutions enable scaling up to 2,500 full clone desktops or 3,500 linked clone desktops, and they are available now from over 1,700 authorized IT resellers.

ScaleIO environments, in comparison are converged and have no need for an external storage array.  Using server-side storage resources, deploying a private cloud is no longer a project that requires advanced infrastructure planning. This VSPEX solution provides simple scalability and management. When more virtual desktops are needed, they can simply be added with another server and resources may be automatically added to the environment – virtually! This solution leverages ScaleIO’s ability to converge storage and compute resources into a single layer.  This really is a great solution for businesses that need a simple private cloud that starts small and elastically scales out as business demand grows. This solution will be available from IT resellers in Q1 of 2015.

For more information about these solutions – check out the Citrix page on the EMC Community Network. If attending Citrix Summit in Las Vegas this week, be sure to visit the EMC booth. We’ll be giving three Citrix-specific mini breakouts – times and topics are listed below. In the meantime, let us know what new technologies you would like to see added to the VSPEX lineup in the comments below!

EMC at Citrix Summit – topics and times for mini-breakouts:

  • VSPEX And VNX Solutions For Citrix XenDesktop – 1/13/15 – 11:15 am PT
  • VSPEX And Cisco Solutions For Citrix – 1/14/15 – 12:15 pm PT
  • VSPEX And XtremIO For Citrix XenDesktop – 1/14/15 – 2:15 pm PT

About the Author: Chad Dunn

Chad Dunn is a seasoned technology executive with over 17 years of experience at Dell Technologies, where he currently serves as the Vice President of Product Management for Artificial Intelligence and Data Management. In this role, Chad leads a dynamic team responsible for defining and delivering cutting-edge AI solutions that cater to a wide range of applications, including generative AI, model training, digital assistants, content and code generation, and data virtualization. His leadership in this domain is helping drive innovation in AI across Dell's global customer base. Previously, Chad held the position of Vice President of Product Management for Dell APEX, where he played a pivotal role in transforming Dell’s portfolio through cloud-like consumption models, subscription services, and as-a-service offerings. He also drove the development of the APEX Console, enabling customers to seamlessly manage their infrastructure across multi-hybrid cloud environments. Earlier in his career, Chad led the product management efforts for Dell’s Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI), Converged Infrastructure (CI), and Software Defined Storage (SDS) product lines. Under his leadership, these product lines grew to an impressive $4B run rate, with flagship offerings like VxRail, PowerFlex, Microsoft Azure Stack Hub, and VxBlock. Prior to joining Dell, Chad held various senior roles at innovative companies such as TAZZ Networks, Invento Networks, WaveSmith Networks, and Ciena, where he specialized in product marketing, product management, and driving early-stage technology solutions. Chad is known for his strategic vision, deep expertise in AI, cloud computing, and infrastructure technologies, and his ability to guide products from concept to market success. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts, where he continues to push the boundaries of what technology can achieve in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
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