What is VDI ?

VDI: Virtual Desktops on Demand

VDI, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, lets you ditch the physical desktop. It uses virtual machines hosted on a central server to deliver complete desktop environments (operating system, applications) to any compatible device. This provides secure remote access for employees, regardless of location or device.

Imagine a library of pre-configured Windows 10 desktops in the cloud. VDI lets you access your own personal one from any device, anytime. This makes VDI ideal for remote workforces and organizations embracing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.

VDI in a nutshell: VDI uses virtual machines to provide remote desktops that users can access from any device. It offers benefits like remote access, cost savings, security, and centralized management.

How VDI Works: A central server runs virtual machines with user desktops. Users connect through a connection broker and access their desktops remotely. VDI can be persistent (users keep customizations) or non-persistent (generic desktops with no saved changes). 

Benefits of VDI: Remote access: Work from anywhere with any device. Cost savings: Use lower-cost devices and reduce hardware purchases. Security: Data resides on the server, not the user device. Centralized management: Easily patch, update, and configure desktops. 

Use Cases for VDI: Remote work: Ideal for companies with a remote workforce. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Enables secure access from personal devices. Task/Shift work: Great for call centers or repetitive work environments. 

VDI vs. Other Technologies: VDI is a type of desktop virtualization (different from RDS). VMs (virtual machines) are the technology that powers VDI. 

Implementing VDI: Consider Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) for scalability and performance. Best practices include network preparation, avoiding under provisioning, understanding user needs, and pilot testing.