Avastu Blog: Sustainable Global Clouds

Search my older post and you'll find that I had already suggested VMware and other vendors to go for several versions of hypervisors. VMware has taken the stride towards mobile devices, which is definitely a good thing but that market is a flooded market. Desktop PCs are in need for some rationalization. I have, some times, hard time convincing customers why they should move towards VDI- while many are lately wondering if Cloud Apps, hosted via their internal, on-premise Cloud Infrastructure or Off Premise Clouds - a typical hosted scenario. Either ways they just don't care anymore, so is the case of the Clouds. Clouds don't care either. That makes it a perfect match, especially the new beast we all want to comprehend, the beast which only the likes of Microsoft has understood rather well, the SMB market. SMB's are typically the "I don't care, you fix it and fix it now" kind of folks. Taming that market segment is a real pain. They are sometimes hard to un...

Pano Virtual Desktop Solution (VDS ) provides value-added resellers with an easy-to-deploy desktop virtualization solution MENLO PARK, Calif. – November 18, 2008 – Pano Logic™ , a developer of a server-based desktop virtualization solution, today announced a distribution agreement with Avnet Technology Solutions , an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT ). Under the agreement, Avnet will distribute the Pano Virtual Desktop Solution (VDS) to its value-added reseller partners in the U.S. and Canada, and provide delivery and installation support for partners through Avnet OneTech™ Services . Pano VDS provides partners with a unique desktop virtualization product that enables the desktop to be managed virtually by a customer’s IT support team. Partners can pair Pano VDS with industry-leading servers, storage, software and services, also available through Avnet, to create complete end-to-end solutions to meet all of their customers’ virtual desktop infrastructure needs. ...

New Pano VDS release delivers users a fully native Windows user experience without using RDP, providing for optimized audio, video and native support for PC-compatible USB devices, purpose built for virtualization MENLO PARK , Calif. – November 17, 2008 – Pano Logic™, developer of a server-based desktop virtualization solution, today announced Pano Virtual Desktop Solution (VDS) 2.5. The new release is the first desktop virtualization solution to optimize the Windows user experience without using the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which eliminates the dependence on Microsoft Terminal Services technology and provides native session support for Windows applications, video, and audio interfaces and native USB device drivers. These new capabilities are available through Console Direct™, a new technology in Pano VDS 2.5 that plugs directly into the Windows Operating System to deliver a fully native experience. In addition, new capabilities for Pano Manager improve IT’s abi...

VDI solutions, however attrative they may seem and the amount of energy they may save ar, still remains a rather conversational issue to tackle within organizations. When it comes to loads of these applications, no one has a clear answer or gusrantee that those big and fat applications will run smoothly like ever before. VDI seems to focus too much of its attention on the OS and most organizations choose nothing to be altered, all they care is the promise that was made by the party that won the bid, to do everything in its might to "make it happen!" The consulting team is finding all the ways, software, tools etc to just make it happen. Who are we kidding? Why can't we just do things easier and simpler. If CloudApps or hosting Apps on Clouds is the best solution, then why not adopt it? Why go after bundling the whole OS+App (+ another 50 odd irrelevent apps*) and put them up on loads of servers. * Every VDI project or even Server project I've come across I've only...

So what's new: VDM 2.1 includes the following improvements and new features Pools spanning datastores in order to better manage resources Localization of VDM Web Access and Client for Windows in Japanese and German Command line parameters for VDM Client Integrate MMR multimedia extensions DLL with VDM Client (Windows XP) Allow end users to change password Multiple sessions per user within a pool Improvements to logging Allow end users to restart their VM Defined process for bulk import of individual desktops VDM Configuration Backup (command-line only) Allow blocking of incoming RDP connections that are not from VDM Clients Allow VDM administrators to set default desktop (command line only) See it all here

“Every vendor in the virtual machine space is claiming the cost savings by going virtual. This has been proven to a large degree on the server but less so on the PC. When servers are virtualized, they literally and physically go away because they run on another server. Cost savings are immediate,” said Jason Smith, vice president of business development for ScriptStart. ” When a desktop is virtualized, most of the time, there is still hardware and software infrastructure needed to run the VM. In reality, this just adds another software layer to mange for most organizations that are looking to implement VDI or XenDesktop on top of existing infrastructure. Therefore, cost-savings and ROI for desktop VMs require a different look.” Can I get you some desktop management software for that desktop management solution? ScriptStart is a Dunwoody, Georgia-based ISV whose Profile Unity solution gives customers a central, portable profile to use at any Windows desktops, whether virtual, thin ...

All the three news are here , here and here .

Microsoft's story James goes on price/VM: Who's cheapest now ? Now if the customer is prepared to $5,750 (plus support, training, and extra management tools) on VI3 enterprise... what would they get if they spent that on RAM VMware VI3 enterprise Free Hypervisor Total Cost $17,748 $17,748 Windows Licences $5998 $5998 Virtualization licences $5750 $0 2 way Server, $6000 $6000 RAM 4GB 32GB VMs 14 (with 2x overcommit) 63 Price per VM $1268 $281 Who's cheapest now ? Oh look it's Microsoft again. read rest here. Citrix's response on what VDI is and what it is not and VMware's blog where Petrillo does some talking again . Funny thing though here, Mike. I'd never push this client into som...

VDI 2.0 features the new Sun Virtual Desktop Connector, which supports Windows XP and Vista, Mac OS, Linux and Sun's Solaris operating systems. The software allows organizations to "provide their users with secure access to a centralized desktop environment that can be accessed from practically any location, at any time, via the corporate network," said Jim McHugh, vice president of Solaris marketing. Works with VMWare The software offers improved information security Relevant Products/Services, more effective control of access to critical data Relevant Products/Services, reduced operational costs and increased employee mobility, McHugh added. VDI 2.0 is the result of a deal with VMWare, announced last month, to offer and support VMWare infrastructure Relevant Products/Services virtualization software on Sun hardware. Sun demonstrated VMI 2.0 in announcing that deal. The software seems to build on years of Sun's work on thin clients, said Charles King, principal analy...

This video is interesting... Original video here

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced the launch of Sun Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Software 2.0, its end-to-end solution that helps organizations to easily and efficiently establish and manage virtual desktop sessions on any operating system, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris Operating System ( http://www.sun.com/software/solaris ) and even Windows Mobile. Sun VDI Software 2.0 is available for purchase immediately and a free trial of the software can be downloaded at: http://www.sun.com/software/vdi/get.jsp . Sun VDI Software 2.0 is part of Sun's broader virtualization software portfolio, Sun xVM software, which includes Sun xVM Ops Center, the soon to be released Sun xVM Server and the newly acquired Sun xVM VirtualBox software. Sun VDI Software 2.0 is designed to deliver a secure, centralized desktop environment, enables IT managed data backup and security and allows users to access their full desktop environment fr...

Doug is carrying this intersting demo. I too soon will be doing loads and loads of Citrix testing and demos. I will also get into the HA and Citrix space and give Oracle RAC a spin with Marathon's everRun. For now give the Xendesktop a spin yourself! And this African perspective is very important for me as I have some very curious clients/potential clients who are deploying desktops in thousands! See it all here and to go directly to the login : You'll log in with: username: demo password: demo Walkthrough: After you've loggeg in and downloaded the ICA/XenDesktop toolbar, install the tool, if you do have the tool/ICA tool installed then I'd suggest you click the link, "already installed" see the following screenshots: And then you click again "detect clients" and I get to see these two VDI desktops (see screen shot): Clicking on one of the remote VDI clients, you get to launch it via the ICA tool: and then you're logged in! Enjoy your VDI ride ...

The new relationship will not only give Bell Micro an immediate and strong position in the virtualisation sector, but it will also enable the company to further improve its competitive offering in the data centre space. By partnering with Parallels in this way, Bell Micro can ensure that it offers its channel partners the latest product to take to customers wanting the option of virtualising business critical applications, as well as deploying Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) at market leading consolidation rates. Russell Blackburn, UK Country Manager at Parallels said, “We have chosen Bell Micro as a key partner as a result of the company’s reputation in the market and its focus on further developing its data centre portfolio. We believe this relationship will be win-win for all involved: customers will be offered a lower cost virtualisation solution, while resellers will benefit from higher margins in the virtualisation space.” Parallels Virtuozzo Container differs from hardware ...

I spoke to Amir sometime back and was truly impressed with their offerings. These guys are dishing out some really cool devices. Check out the interview, I'll be doing the video interview of the CSO as well at VMworld in Cannes! Dear Amir, tell us a bit about your role at ClearCube and briefly your past? I’m Chief Technology Officer at ClearCube, and I’ve been with the company now for the last six and a half years. Over this period, we’ve witnessed the explosive growth of virtualization and alternate centralized models for next generation desktop computing, of which VDI is one form. A key part of my role has really been to evolve ClearCube’s technology offering in way that benefits our over 1000 enterprise customers, while also staying true to our roots, which lie in innovation. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that during my association with ClearCube, we’ve filed and won a large number of patents in the connection brokering and virtualization arenas, we delivered the world...

Or should I say is upgrading to Vista worth ab bargain? I have heard of official protest groups in Holland and elsewhere who want to cxontinue working on XP for another few years. Offering a fat GUI OS via VDI conenction broker is not a smart idea. It was never meant to push an elephant through a thin wire. Anyways the comparison, if its worthy the discussion actually or within the context of a typical thin computing model, is here: It's important to note that a VDA does all the work on the back-end servers where the VMs run; therefore, to accurately estimate the cost of a VDA, you'll need to take into account the server and virtualization software expenses. Estimating these costs will require walking through a series of calculations, which can be modified for a customer's specific environment. As an example, based on numbers from VMware, let's assume that a server can run six to eight virtual desktops per core, with dual-socket quad-core processors totaling eight cores...

MENLO PARK , Calif. – February 19, 2008 – Pano Logic™ today announced a new software release for its revolutionary desktop virtualization solution. Pano Logic leverages existing server virtualization technologies to create a new approach to desktop computing that dramatically lowers total cost of ownership while increasing security, management and mobility. The new software release, Pano Virtual Desktop Solution 1.5, is optimized for LAN deployments, supports VMware ESX Server 3.5 and VMware VirtualCenter 2.5, enables new usage models and provides more efficient resource management capabilities. “The desktop virtualization market is ready for innovation and new technology, and Pano Logic’s approach to centralizing all software and management in the data center is the first step in making desktop virtualization easier to manage and more attainable,” said Michael Fodor, VP of Product Management at Pano Logic. “The new release’s emphasis on LAN optimization and usage models is imp...

I did call David a few days back while I was testing his ESX DVD, which he sent out to me for a review, so we spoke for quite sometime and shared some ideas. A decent and soft spoken guy, David leads a team of IT admins and is happy doing what he does. David has some important pointers around this. I have not tested VCB yet but according to him it is a bit too simple to put a VCB in your enterprise that has a handful of CLI to go with. VDI and the supported offering VDM 2.0 is still a new offering, it is a new market and although I am a big fan of it myself and have tested the Silverstone beta (not extensively but well enough to configurev it and run it), I prefer to advice clients to be cautious about doing the "traditional math on pumping VMs on each box" before going for a typical set and end up buying hardware to pack it all in just a handful machines. Take enough room to house the VMs in your enterprise, watch out for the price tag and please don't ignore the price f...

A lot of ex-MS execs and Softricity. Desktone, Inc., provider of the first virtual client computing platform that enables desktops as a service, today announced significant expansion of its management team. Five new executives have joined the company: Les Yetton, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development; Steven Baron, Vice President of Engineering; Julian Weinstock, Vice President of Product Management; Mark Lewandowski, Vice President of Support and Operations; and Jeff Fisher, Senior Director of Strategic Development. These executives join a vastly experienced Desktone management team, consisting of serial entrepreneurs, former heads of virtualization, client computing and services businesses, and leaders in technology innovation. "Each of these five gentlemen made his mark by growing software companies into successful businesses that led their industries in innovation and customer adoption," said Harry Ruda, CEO of Desktone. "I'm very ple...

Get Control & Manageability in a Single Solution VMware VDI is a comprehensive solution that provides the functionality that most organizations need in order to connect and manage their remote clients and centralized virtual desktops while keeping data safe and secure in the data center. Designed for desktop administrators, VMware VDI offers an intuitive Web-based management interface with Microsoft Active Directory integration for user authentication and policy enforcement. Centralized administration of all desktop images helps you simplify upgrades, patches and desktop maintenance, and you can use the VMware Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM) to manage connections between remote clients and their centralized virtual desktops. Support Remote Users without Sacrificing Security VMware VDI is also a highly secure solution. Authorized end users access their virtual desktop environments through a secure network connection, and each virtual desktop is isolated from the host operatin...

This technology lets users host desktops inside virtual machines running on centralized servers located in data centers. The virtual desktops are accessed remotely using a traditional PC, a thin client, or a re-purposed computer using a remote display protocol. This type of setup offers high security for sensitive data. Using remote desktop in this way also lets managers set digital rights for VMware environments. The result is device consolidation, lower costs, easier management and more efficient use of servers. Link