V-Alliance
A new approach to desktop deployment
Desktop Virtualisation is an emerging desktop deployment strategy concept for enterprises
where flexibility and compliance are critical. Desktop Virtualisation is particularly
compelling to organisations seeking:
- Flexible user access, where users need access to their work environment from any
authorised device, including work scenarios such as work from home and hot-desking
- To improve business continuity and data security
- Centralised management of the desktop OS and applications
This technology enables the centralised management of desktops making them easier
to update, backup and manage. However, many lifecycle management issues persist
- IT still needs to manage, maintain and update each virtual desktop image, along
with all its installed apps and user settings. In addition, Desktop Virtualisation
can create new challenges such as degraded user experience over high latency networks
and the high costs of networked storage needed for each user’s desktop image.
Point to Point, Microsoft & Citrix - the next step for DV
Point to Point, Microsoft and Citrix have teamed to deliver an integrated end-to-end
suite of technologies and services that represent a comprehensive and cost effective
Desktop Virtualisation infrastructure with on-demand applications. The “v-Alliance”
solution enables organisations to dynamically assemble virtual desktops on-demand,
providing users with a new and pristine, yet personalised, desktop each time they
log on - ensuring that high levels of performance are maintained. In addition, Citrix
HDX technologies provide unparalleled responsiveness over any network. Citrix XenDesktop
together with Microsoft VDI Suite including Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V
and Microsoft System Centre Virtual Machine Manager R2 (SCVMM R2) give IT organisations
the tools to maximise operational flexibility while greatly simplifying desktop
lifecycle management by separating the delivery of the desktop OS, applications
and user settings.
Solution Components
The v-Alliance solution builds on best-in-class technologies.
Features
- Windows Server 2008 RS - The most advanced Windows Server OS ever offering by Microsoft
- Hyper-V - The next generation hypervisor-based server virtualisation technology from Microsoft
- System Centre Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 - Simplifies the deployment, provisioning and management of virtual servers - enables intelligent placement of virtual machines not he best-suited physical host servers - and provides performance and resource optimisation (PRO) for dynamic and responsive management of a virtual infrastructure.
- Citrix XenDesktop - Supports virtual machines running on Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V and integrates with System Centre Virtual Machine Manager 2008 - dynamically assembles a virtual desktop each time a user logs on to deliver superior DV performance and includes Citrix XenApp for on-demand applications - and enables IT to centrally manage many virtual desktops from a single image, or a small set of managed images to reduce storage requirements and simplifies upgrades and rollbacks.
- Microsoft App-V - Enables dynamic delivery of applications to virtual desktops on demand - reduces application-to-application conflicts and application regression testing - simplifies and expedites application updates and upgrades - enables offline usage through local caching of applications - and ships as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP).
Advantages
- Scalable, stable and high performance hypervisor that hosts the virtual desktops. Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V is a next-generation hypervisor that includes features such as quick migration, high availability, and live backups.
- Citrix XenDesktop functionality to extend the value of Microsoft’s Desktop Virtualisation. XenDesktop dynamically provisions remote desktops, by combining a pristine golden desktop image with a user’s profile and personal settings at runtime, and delivery a personalised desktop to the end user while ensuring superior DV performance.
- An integrated management suite that allows IT to manage physical, virtual and session based desktops from a single console. Microsoft’s management capability also allows for managing non-Microsoft infrastructure components. Systems Centre Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 is part of Systems Center, which is an industry leading IT management suite.
- Superior user experience leveraging Citrix HDX technologies to deliver the fastest desktop performance, up to 2x faster; access virtual desktops within seconds and eliminate lengthy boot times.
Proof of Concept + Pilot Services
Point to Point has been selected as v-Alliance Launch Partner by Microsoft and
Citrix to take this exciting new initiative to market. As a long-standing partner
to both technology vendors, Point to Point provides fully-managed, end-to-end services
to help organisations determine firstly whether the v-Alliance solution is right
for their business, and if so to then design the final solution, implement and support
it.
Under certain conditions, customers may qualify for a fully-funded Proof of Concept
and/or Pilot activity, provided by Point to Point and backed by Microsoft and Citrix.
To establish whether your organisation is entitled to funded services, please contact
your Point to Point Account Manager. If you do not have an Account Manager, contact
switchboard on 01189 369 500 stating your interest in discussing v-Alliance with
an appropriate sales representative.
Software Licences
The v-Alliance solution requires licensing for Citrix XenDesktop and the Microsoft
VDI Suite including Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licence options.