The webinar discusses the challenges and complexities associated with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) compared to successful server virtualization, highlighting issues like user acceptance, migration difficulties, and unclear ROI. It emphasizes the importance of a well-defined desktop virtualization strategy and the trade-offs involved, particularly regarding single image management versus personalization and storage costs. The session also covers practical VDI implementation experiences, including technology recommendations and common pitfalls to avoid.

1. Webinar: Server Virtualization: SuccessVDI: Not So Much…Why?Ron OglesbyVMware vExpertCitrix CTPMicrosoft MVPChief Solution ArchitectTom CroweInformationTechnology ManagerDave HurlburtTerritory Manager

2. Server Virtualization: SuccessVDI: Not So Much…Why?

3. So why has server virtualizationbeen so successful?

4. Server virtualization is a clear win!

5. Server virtualization is easy!CAPEX savings is EASY to showSavings are HUGE!Already in the datacenter – it’s a form factor change!Standardization is a GOOD THING!OPEX is simply a nice byproductLet’s face it – a P2V is a simple migration process

6. So why is VDI ‘on hold’ in so many organizations?

7. VDI is not so easy!Host ServersStorageBrokersImage ManagementProtocolsDisk IO issuesPersonalizationLoss of Control

8. VDI ROI isn’t as clear CAPEX is tough to showOPEX is pretty much the only savings availableDesktops have to be “moved”Users don’t like “standardization”Let’s face it, there isn’t an “easy” migration process to virtual desktopsA number of “secondary” products are needed

9. So what are the key issues inVDI projects?

10. It’s really not about the brokers anymoreView™XenDesktop®Fast protocolPCoIPNon-persistent desktop provisioning & storage reductionComposer/Linked ClonesBasic profile mgmt.RTO asset acquisitionFast protocolICA/HDXNon-persistent desktop provisioning & storage reductionProvisioning ServerBasic profile mgmt.Sepago asset acquisition

11. It’s about the tradeoffs (pick 2, or maybe 1)VDI SuccessTriangle

12. Key issues in more detailSingle image management comes with a pricePersonalization means loss of single image managementPersonalized desktops increase storage costs(footprint)VDI itself has higher IO requirements than servers!All of this on top of user acceptance issuesNo good offline tools todayBrokers don’t always scale to the thousands very well

13. Do you have a desktopvirtualization strategy?

14. Start with your current desktop strategy

15. The Personalization ChallengeWhat you see:What users see:

16. The Storage ChallengeCapacity footprint can be reduced via numerous technologiesIO… not so muchDesktop IOPS rules of thumb?Low: 3-4 Med: 6-12 Heavy:16-20What is all this RAID penalty stuff?Must design to handle the IO load

17. The Management ChallengeGenerally there are big trade-offsAim for single image management and you lose “persistent” desktops that sustain user personaUse persistent desktops and you lose single image management (and move right back to traditional,higher OpEx desktop management)Single image management reduces storage footprint(linked clones, PVS) but at the cost of personalization Do existing management tools fit the VDI world or your use case?

18. So what should I be on thelook out for?

19. Common mistakes in VDIDesigning the hardware firstToo many variables to choose hardware out of the gateJust duplicating server virtualization hardware won’t workBelieving everything the vendors say“The vendor said I could easily virtualize all of my apps.”“The vendor said I could get 120 desktops per host.”Not configuring the disk subsystem properlyForgetting about “personalization” of the desktop

20. Key “check boxes” for your designDefine what you are delivering and for whomEnsure your design covers the following:Base OS delivery and updatingApplication delivery and updating (even the complex apps)Personalization (including user-installed apps)Broker configuration and requirementsNon-persistent vs. persistent desktop use casesStorage configuration (capacity footprint AND IO load)WAN, LAN, and offline use cases

21. Hardware recommendationsSmaller servers with more coresGood storage controllersMore memoryNEW: solid state drive (SSD)Hybrid arrays combineSSD and SAS in single array with intelligent data placement to solve IOPS and capacity problemsNEW:zero clientsLess energy & fewer breakable parts vs. thin clientsBuild redundancy through quantity

22. Software recommendationsNEW: desktop layering solutionsEliminate “pick 1 or 2” tradeoffsCombine single image patching, easy app delivery, full user personalization, and storage savings in one solution

23. VDI @ WycheTom Crowe, IT Manager

24. Wyche BackgroundAbout Wyche2 Offices in South Carolina

25. 32 Attorneys

26. 32 Staff

27. Transactional and Litigation PracticesWyche ITIT Manager(me)

28. 1 Help Desk

29. 1 Litigation SupportVDI MotivationLooming PC lease return deadline

30. Decrease rollout cycle for new machines

31. New users

32. New/Updated software

33. Potentially move away from 3 year refresh cycle

34. Replace ancient remote access solution

35. Green initiative within firmVDI ConcernsIn mid 2009, still new in the marketTotal cost of ownershipHow to handle mobile attorneysDesktop performanceAll “eggs” in a single basket

36. Technology Shared with virtual serversCisco 3750G switchesHP Lefthand P4500 iSCSI SANvSphere 4 AdvancedPano Logic Zero-Client usingPano BrokerNo OS on the hardwareUnidesk VDI Provisioning and Management OS and App deployment and User personalization

37. TechnologyServersHP Proliant DL360 G62 x Xeon E5504 @ 2 Ghz (8 cores total)36 GB memory2 x 72 GB SAS for boot and logging6 x 1 Gb NIC portsHP Lefthand P4500 SAN2 nodes12 x 450 GB SAS per node2 x 1 GB NICsDesktop VMsWindows XP SP31 GB memory30 GB “hard drive” thin 8 GB user dataConsolidation of ~25 desktops per vSphere host

38. Zero-client with no OS on the hardwareNo local desktop support concernsSmall desktop footprint: 3.5” x 3.5” x 2.0”Low power usage: 6.5W max, < 0.2W sleepPano BrokerIncluded with Pano device purchaseSimple management interfaceIntegrates seamlessly with vSpherePano Remote AccessWindows 2008 Terminal Services GatewayPano USB dongle is simple to use

39. OS, Application, and User State virtualizationDesktop is composed at boot with all required apps and OS layersPersistence of user persona regardless of desktopSingle-image management for OS and Apps, reduced SAN storageSecurity updates applied to primary OS or App layer pushed out immediately or on schedule; guarantees all updates are applied

40. UnideskApplication layers make it easy to deliver any appPackaging requires only a normal installation (Setup), then assign the layer to 1 or more desktops

41. Testing and RolloutPilot group was pivotal - ~2 monthsRollout to groups, do not convert an entire practice area at a time. ~ 1 month to deliver to all usersMonitor host performance closelyperformance with 25 VMs is different than 5.Be aware of specific apps and how they impact a host. Anti-virus adds 3-5% to idle CPU of VM, x25 VMs can be a problem.