What is VDI? It is short for virtual desktop infrastructure, which is a form of desktop virtualization. In this post, MiniTool will give you some detailed information about it, such as how it works, benefits, and limitations.
What Is VDI and How Does It Work?
What is VDI? It is the abbreviation of virtual desktop infrastructure, which is defined as the hosting of desktop environments on a central server. It is a form of desktop virtualization because a specific desktop image runs in a virtual machine (VM) and is delivered to the end client over the network. These endpoints can be PCs or other devices such as tablets or thin client terminals.
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In VDI, the hypervisor divides the server into multiple virtual machines, which in turn host virtual desktops, and users can remotely access these desktops from their devices. Users can access these virtual desktops from any device or any location, and all processing is done on the host server. Through the connection broker, users can connect to their desktop instances. The broker is a software-based gateway that represents as an intermediary between the user and the server.
VDI can be persistent or non-persistent. Each type has different pros:
- With persistent VDI, users can connect to the same desktop every time, and users can personalize the desktop according to their needs because the changes can be saved even after the connection is reset. In other words, the behavior of a desktop in a persistent VDI environment is similar to a personal physical desktop.
- Non-persistent VDI (users can connect to a public desktop without saving changes) is generally simpler and cheaper because there is no need to maintain a customized desktop between sessions. Non-permanent VDI is usually used for organizations with a large number of task workers or employees who perform a limited set of repetitive tasks and do not need to customize their desktops.
Benefits and Limitations of VDI
What is VDI and how does VDI work? The above section has given you some information, and this part will introduce some VDI’s benefits and limitations.
Save Costs and Reduce Hardware Requirements
In addition to bringing benefits to end-users, VDI technology can also be an effective cost-saving measure for IT departments:
- Because most of the processing in VDI is server-based, there is no need for relatively expensive or sophisticated hardware.
- Instead, VDI access can be performed through an inexpensive thin client, which may be an old PC that has been redesigned for this task, thereby extending its lifespan.
- In this way, IT does not need to buy many new products or make major adjustments to its budget.
Improve Safety and Centralization
In terms of security, VDI provides some improvements in locally running the OS and all content on it. All data in the VDI connection resides on the server, not the end client, which means that if the endpoint is stolen, nothing can be stolen from its local storage.
In addition, the VDI environment is completely centralized from the data center. Administrators can apply software patches and updates, change configurations, and implement policies for all virtual desktops in the entire deployment. In this way, VDI allows for fine-tuned control and secure isolation of OS images from a central server. This is a relatively simple setting and does not need to manage laptops running its operating system locally.
Security and Performance Considerations
At the same time, VDI cannot take security for granted. The OS image must be properly managed and updated, and the end client authentication must be strict. In this regard, digital workspace solutions can help through SSO, improved endpoint security, and data encryption in transit.
Performance is another key consideration for VDI:
- When it was first widely used in the mid-2000s, the typical performance of VDI significantly lagged behind the local operating system.
- This gap has narrowed significantly over time, but users may still feel that they don’t always get the best experience.
- It is recommended to perform performance adjustments and VDI deployment checks occasionally to ensure that solvable technical problems are resolved.
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Final Words
What is VDI? After reading this post, you should get some basic acknowledgment about it. What’s more, you can also get some information about its advantages and disadvantages.