Workstation Virtualization

Nicholas A. HayTechnology Coordinator

Jefferson Schoolsnhay@jefferson.k12.mi.us

734-322-2217

District Bio

• 2,167 Students• 872 “Computer Stations”• 679 Physical Computers• 193 X & L Series nComputing Stations• 669 are Student Stations

• Servers• 8 Physical Servers• 25 Virtual Servers on 3 VMware Enterprise

District Bio

• Technology Staff– Coordinator (myself)• Administrative Tasks, Servers, SANs, Backups,

Networking, Phones, Programming, eRate, Pupil Accounting

– Hardware Support Specialist (Rick)• Hardware, Software, Imaging, Phones

– Software Support Specialist (Sue)• SiS, Software, Training, Help Desk, Pupil Accounting

Virtualization Terms

• VDI• Stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. VDI is the

hosting of a desktop OS within a Virtual Machine running on a centralized server.

• Thin Client• A computer that depends heavily on some other

computer or server. They have a “full” OS on them so they can connect to the host machine.

• Zero Client• A computer that does not have a full OS. The kernel is

responsible for networking and displaying the video.

Benefits

• Longer End of Life for the end user devices.• Lower TCO over time, not typically initially• Buy processing power and memory as needed

rather than purchasing it up front• Centralization of hardware• Ability to add redundancy• Lower support cost and time spent on

troubleshooting• Power Savings with Thin/Zero Clients

Challenges

• An error or failure could affect some to all users in environment.

• Network traffic bandwidth and management may be needed on your network

• Software Compatibility and Support• Software Licensing

VDI Technologies

• nComputing• Vmware• Citrix• Panologic• Microsoft• Wyse

• http://www.ncomputing.com

• X Series– PCI Card– Up to 11 Users on

a single computer– $399.99 for the

X550 device• Low Cost• Shared Computing• No Microphone or USB Port for Flash Drives

• U Series– Similar to the X series, but rather than CAT5 cables to a PCI

card, no PCI card and plugs directly in USB ports– USB – Up to (10?) users on a single computer– ~$89.99 for each U170 device– Low Cost– Shared Computing

• Microsoft Licensing for nComputing Devices– http://www.ncomputing.com/WindowsMultiUserLicensing

• L Series (L300)– Network to a shared computer/server– Numo SoC (System-On-Chip) - link– L300 runs on Windows XP and Windows 2003

currently– Up to “30” per shared Server/PC. The number

really depends on the workload/tasks.– ~$223.99 for the L300 device

• MultiPoint Server– Similar to the nComputing X Series– Website

• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/multipoint/default.aspx

– Video• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/multipoint/learn-m

ore.aspx

• HP also has something similar to this product as well

• http://www.vmware.com/products/view/• Not a shared computing environment. Each user

has their “own” desktop• PCoIP (PC over IP) protocol– There are different elements on a screen (Icons,

Motion Video, Text, Photos, Graphics). The protocol adapts to what is on the screen and optimizes bandwidth and the user experience.

• Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APVP0DUu34c

• XenDesktop– HDX (High-Definition User Experience)– http://www.citrix.com/English/ps2/products/

feature.asp?contentID=2300341 – Not a shared computer environment, each user

had their “own” desktop– http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/724 – Licensing Challenges

• www.panologic.com • Zero Client• Works with both VMware and Hyper-V

• Wyse WSM• Website and Video– http://www.wyse.com/products/software/wsm/

index.asp

• Requires hardware at end user station• Server hardware is mainly disk accesses and

streaming over the hard drive

Microsoft Licensing for VDI

• http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/products-desktop.aspx

• Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment. Virtual desktop access rights will be included as a Software Assurance (SA) benefit.

Tips before switching to VDI

• Test, Test, Test!– You need to test software and ideally, have it

tested in the environment it will be in. All because a program runs does not mean it works fully.

• Understand Hardware and Software Licensing costs.

• Make sure software vendors will offers support in VDI

Questions?

Thank You

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Nicholas A. HayTechnology Coordinator

Jefferson Schoolsnhay@jefferson.k12.mi.us

734-322-2217