Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
VDI enables server-hosted enterprise desktops. Unlike other solutions it delivers full desktop environments that are always on, accessible from anywhere, and centrally managed.
We run weekly scheduled online webcasts that include a live demonstration of a typical VDI environment and what benefits it delivers.
To help you consolidate and centralise your data, please request a demo at www.arrowecs.co.uk/demo or contact VDI@arrowecs.co.uk
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Centralise all desktop functions
By using VMware’s ESX and VirtualCenter any organisation can take complete control of desktop computing costs by running virtual machines as desktops and allowing users to connect to their virtual machine from any device. The key to cost management is the consolidation ratio. How many virtual machines can run simultaneously on a host determines the savings. If ESX can allow consolidation ratios of 25:1 when migrating server applications into a virtual environment, VDI can allow two to three times this amount reducing the cost of desktop hosting to under ￡25.00 per user per month.
The solution stack comprises of four main elements. VMware ESX and VirtualCenter (VI3), rapid deployment and template management, connection brokering and host hardware. We have developed a concise demonstration of the solution stack that in the first instance can be viewed online at one of our one hour live webcasts.
How does it work?
Anyone interested in VDI is invited to a 60 minute online demonstration and presentation. The presentation covers the options for any organisation with regard to VDI. All elements of the solution stack are demonstrated and a live user experience session is also shown. A comprehensive capacity planning and savings calculation are also presented so attendees can quickly determine whether VDI is worth further investigation.
During the demonstration the elements covered also show the huge benefits of running desktop virtual machines on highly reliable and scaleable host servers which deliver performance far greater than the most expensive desktop or workstation machines available on the market.
The final features covered are how network bandwidth is improved as the virtual desktops are now closer to the servers they are attached to, data is more secure as all of it is stored in the data centre, service packs and updates are simple to distribute and how the deployment of VDI is extremely low impact.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure - The savings
By centralising all desktop computing power into the data centre costs can be accurately calculated and managed. Using the cost per virtual machine model budgeting, planning, and savings can be easily calculated and demonstrated. The summary calculation on the right is a real world project completed in the UK for a major bank. 15 ESX hosts were deployed, each with a consolidation ratio of 80:1. 13 machines was sufficient so the additional 2 were added to allow for growth, high availability and load balancing.
Propero was selected for NT 4 operating system support and security for users connecting outside the firewall. IBM x3850 hosts were chosen as the performance allowed the consolidation ratio of 80:1. Services include a fully managed support model. The savings are based on Gartner stating the cost of a desktop is £1,688.02 ($3,241-$5,386 annual) – lowest number used – compared with the cost of a virtual machine. The savings achieved in this calculation can be achieved with as low as 250 users.
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Case study to replace PC’s with virtual clients for 1,200 users over 3 years
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ESX hosts 4 processor dual core X 15
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8TB SAN
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ESX and VirtualCenter
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Virtual Access Suite
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Design, build, install, migration & support services
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Racks X 2, KVM, tape, switches
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Consolidation ratio per host
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90:1
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Cost per VM
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£215.68
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Cost per month per user
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£19.43
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Savings based on Gartner (lowest) annual cost per desk top machine
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65%
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