It has been quite the month for Dell cloud client-computing, coming off the back of a particularly successful Citrix Synergy where we launched a host of new thin-client devices as well as some additional features as part of our reference architecture for Citrix XenDesktop. Congratulations to that team for extending the reach of desktop virtualization for Citrix environments to new usage scenarios and to new user populations.
I reference this, because on the Microsoft cloud client-computing team we too have been working diligently to enrich the feature set we announced earlier this year on Dell Wyse Datacenter for Microsoft VDI and vWorkspace, for those customers who wish to deploy Microsoft Hyper-V in their hosted desktop environments – and bring them an even more cost-effective and flexible deployment model.
These improvements include working with some of our close partners to help reduce storage costs and bring more choices, as well as closer integration with both Dell and Microsoft technology to help increase efficiencies and therefore reduce the burden of administration on an already stretched IT team. Specifically:
- Support for Microsoft Storage Spaces coming with Windows Server 2012 R2, a Software Defined Storage technology allowing for cost-effective direct-attached storage (DAS) and storage tiering leveraging Dell PowerVault MD1220, through removing the need for a dedicated SAN.
With this, as a customer, you can now deploy persistent and pooled virtual desktops for the same price and using the same technology. In addition to reducing VDI storage cost, it also simplifies choice as the only questions you need to answer are:
1) What is the total number of users you want to support (regardless of being persistent or pooled VMs)?
2) What workload are you planning to run (Standard/Enhanced/Professional/Shared Graphics)?
- Full support of Dell Wyse Datacenter for Microsoft VDI and vWorkspace on PowerEdge T420 and R420 servers, enabling VDI deployments in small increments of 50-100 users, which is ideal for those mid-market customers who would like to start small and grow.
- Qualification of Windows Server 2012 R2 on PowerEdge VRTX, allowing for quick reconnect, seamless display handling and improved RemoteApp behavior.
- Availability of the CCC Advisor for Microsoft VDI and vWorkspace, a web-based quoting tool enabling customers to receive quickly and easily a detailed bill of materials for their VDI deployment, leading to a quote in approximately 24 hours.
Dell has committed itself to making 2014 the year when desktop virtualization extends its reach into the enterprise to benefit a greater number of users throughout the organization. I know we are working hard with Microsoft to achieve this and the Citrix team was able to show the fruits of their labor last week- so stay tuned!
For more information, visit www.dell.com/dvsformicrosoft and read the detailed reference architecture.
