HP Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

HP Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a desktop replacement solution that increases security, decreases cost and delivers higher availability for the desktop while continuing to provide end-users with the functionality of a stand-alone desktop. click to enlarge

Get Started   » Solution Overview   » HP VDI Whitepaper   » HP VDI Flash Demo Products   » Purchase Virtual Desktop Infrastructure   » VMware Virtual Desktop Manager   » HP Session Allocation Manager   » HP Remote Graphics Software Podcasts   » Podcast: VDI solves many challenges of the desk-top environment

• Strong security and compliance: Secure desktop applications and data in the data center
• Higher availability: Bring high availability and rapid provisioning to the desktop environment
• Reduced management costs: Lower costs by performing desktop maintenance in a centralized environment
• Improve infrastructure investment: Use HP ProLiant and BladeSystem to power your desktop users

Solution Components

» HP VDI with VMware

» Why HP for VDI

» Resources

Servers

With the potential for a large number of users on a single server and the ability to scale to a large memory footprint typically required for virtualized environments, HP ProLiant servers provide an excellent platform for a virtualized desktop infrastructure. This building block is required in all implementations and the choice of server determines what loads can be supported and how the risk is distributed in the environment. HP has more servers certified for VMware ESX Server 3.0 than any other vendor. Offering a broad array of choices gives you the ability to select the specific platform that is right for your environment whether that is blades or rack mount, Intel® or AMD™, 2-socket or 4-socket.

Storage

The type of storage has a profound effect on the overall functionality of a VDI implementation. HP offers many storage options and solutions that can be deployed ranging from Direct Attached Storage (DAS) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) to Internet SCSI (iSCSI), and fibre channel Storage Area Networks (SAN). HP offers several products within these categories that are designed to support a range of requirements from the very small business to the enterprise data center to provide appropriate levels of high availability.

Software

There are three key pieces of software that are required to create an HP VDI solution. A virtualization layer to host the virtual desktops. VMware, MS Virtual Server, or Citrix may be used alone or in combination. A desktop operating system installed into the virtualization layer A connection protocol to join the remote client and virtual desktop. HP Remote Graphics Software - PC Edition (RGS-PC), Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol, or Virtual Network Computing connection protocols may be used.

Management

Infrastructure Management Management is a vital component of the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, and HP offers a comprehensive suite of management software tools powered by the HP Insight Control software components. The Insight Control Environment software is time-smart management software that delivers total control, maximum flexibility, and tangible savings for your ProLiant and BladeSystem infrastructure. Based on HP Systems Insight Manager and ProLiant Essentials software, the Insight Control suites deliver comprehensive system health, remote control, vulnerability scanning and patch management as well as flexible deployment and power management in one easy to install package for virtual and physical servers. Configuration Management HP Configuration Management solutions enable IT to automate deployment and carry out continuous management of software, including operating systems, applications, patches, content and configuration settings, on the widest breadth and largest volume of devices throughout the lifecycle. Connection Management There are two basic HP VDI implementations that can be characterized as Static and Dynamic based on whether there is a connection broker present in the environment. Static deployments are essentialy a one-to-one replacement where a desktop is removed and replaced with one virtual desktop dedicated to a user. Dynamic deployments employ a connection broker, which assigns the user to one of many pooled desktops. This implementation offers benefits such as higher utilization rates and lower costs. HP recommends the following connection brokers as part of dynamic HP VDI solutions: VMware Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM) integrates and orchestrates the process of deploying and managing VMs into the broker functionality. VDM allows for flexible provisioning, strong network security, tight Active Directory integration and strong authentication as well as for a common management interface for administration of servers and desktops. HP Session Allocation Manager (SAM) is a mature broker that supports HP's remote client solutions and the RGS protocol. SAM allows you to apply desktop configurations and policies to groups created in Active Directory without requiring administrative access to Active Directory resources or dramatic changes to existing AD infrastructure.

Access Devices

HP offers a choice of clients to fit the needs of a variety of deployments, but recommends the deployment of thin clients to serve as access devices. While it is possible to redeploy desktops as general access devices, maximum savings and efficiency comes from stateless, low power devices. Power Savings Example As an example, the HP t5520 thin client uses 20 watts of electricity. A typical desktop may consume 120 watts within the same environment. If we think in terms of a 1,000 client deployment, the power savings equate to 100 kWh per hour.

Services

HP offers services around VMware and virtualization including HP VDI service and support. These services include software technical support, capacity planning, installation and startup, and education services. VMware - Software Technical Support Services provide round-the-clock telephone access to HP Response Centres and experienced technical specialists. VMware Capacity Planner Assessment Services result in reduced costs, reduced data center space, simplified power and cooling and more efficient use of infrastructure. VMware Infrastructure {VI3} Installation & Startup (Enterprise/Standard) including HP VDI helps successfully deploy VMware, mitigates the risks associated with change and reduces the burden on resources by reducing the effort for in-house staff. HP Education Services makes knowledge transfer a quick process, enhances productivity, and shortens the time to return on your VMware investments. HP is a global VMware authorized training partner. Factory Express is a robust portfolio of flexible, pre-priced, configured, customized and integrated factory solutions and deployment services - supporting HP products from the desktop to the datacenter.