Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

What does Virtual Desktop Infrastructure mean?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a virtualization technology that allows users to access virtual desktops or applications from any device with an internet connection. A company’s virtual desktops are hosted and centrally managed on a remote server, rather than on the individual user’s endpoint device. VDI provides users with a secure and consistent desktop experience regardless of their location or device.

VDI operates by Creating virtual machines (VMs) on a host server. These VMs are essentially complete desktop environments that contain the user’s applications, settings, and data. Users access their virtual desktops remotely through a client software installed on their endpoint devices. The client software establishes a secure connection to the host server, allowing the user to interact with their virtual desktop as if it were running locally.

Applications

VDI offers several key applications and advantages for organizations and users:

• Remote access: VDI enables users to access their desktops from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility is ideal for remote work, mobile workers, and employees who need access to their work desktops while traveling.
• Device independence: VDI allows users to access their desktops from a variety of devices, including laptops, thin clients, tablets, and smartphones. This device independence gives users the freedom to work from any location and on any device that suits their needs.
• Security: VDI enhances security by centralizing desktops and data on a remote server. This reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks, as the desktops are not stored on vulnerable endpoint devices.
• Simplified management: VDI simplifies desktop management by centralizing all desktops on a single server. This makes it easier for IT administrators to manage, update, and troubleshoot user desktops.
• Cost savings: VDI can lead to cost savings for organizations by reducing the need for expensive Hardware and Maintenance for individual endpoint devices. Thin clients and other low-cost devices can be used to access virtual desktops, saving organizations money on hardware acquisitions and support.

History

The concept of VDI emerged in the late 1990s with the development of application virtualization technologies such as Citrix MetaFrame and Microsoft Terminal Server. These technologies allowed users to run applications on a remote server while displaying the applications on their local computers.

In the mid-2000s, VDI evolved with the introduction of desktop virtualization technologies such as VMware View and Citrix XenDesktop. These technologies enabled the entire desktop environment, including the Operating system and applications, to be virtualized and delivered to users over a network.

Over the past decade, VDI technology has continued to advance with improvements in virtualization software, network performance, and cloud computing. Today, VDI is a widely adopted technology used by organizations of all sizes to provide secure, flexible, and cost-effective desktop solutions to their users.