Are you ready for VDI?

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More companies are investigating the benefits of implementing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).  If you are one of those companies then you need to ask yourself, “Am I ready for VDI?”  The first step is identifying exactly what VDI means to your organization.  VDI actually encompasses several types of delivery, but is most commonly associated with what Gartner classifies as hosted virtual desktops (HVD).  VDI can also include implementations of server-based computing (SBC), hosted shared desktops (HSD) and client-side virtualization.  For the sake of simplicity, we will focus on the hosted virtual desktop model for VDI since that is the most common assumption of a VDI deployment.

Citrix Synergy 2011

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If you are thinking about going to Synergy this year, I will be assisting in moderating the XenClient learning labs (SYN409D) during Summit and speaking as part of the XenDesktop team during Synergy. This is an exciting opportunity for me! If you are planning on attending, check out the 5 part WOW TO HOW Series, I will be speaking on Part 3: Storage Infrastructure (SYN305)

For more information on Synergy, or to register, follow this link: Synergy 2011

To see more details on my session, follow this link: SYN305

XenDesktop 5 Deep Dive: Machine Creation Services (MCS) on vSphere 4.1

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As promised, I have published my Deep Dive around MCS over at The GenerationV Site: http://tinyurl.com/4tzpfts. Check it out!

The data is abstracted, but all the source came from a real-world pilot. The question posed was, "What is the impact of MCS on storage and how exactly does it work on vSphere?" So, I rolled up my sleeves, dug in, and figured I would share my findings.

In short, MCS works as design and can greatly save on storage space by using a linked snapshot as well as save on administration by rapidly deploying machines. The downside becomes when you need to move machines to different storage. Not always a common event, but one to consider.

Personally, I still prefer PVS for an enterprise-scale deployment, but MCS has it's place.


Other resources:

• XenDesktop Design Handbook Success Kit  - One stop shop for XD Resources
• Citrix XenDesktop Architecure Series  -  Citrix Community Blog for XD Architecture
• Dan Feller's Blog- Great Architectural Resource for XenDesktop

Joining GlassHouse Technologies!

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I'm happy to announce that I have joined the team at GlassHouse Technologies as a Senior Virtualization Consultant. With this role, I will be tasked with helping manage virtualization projects, with a main focus on Citrix Technologies.

My main focus will be on expanding our XenDesktop / Virtual Desktop offerings, and will leverage all of our corporate expertise on Datacenter Management, Virtualization, Storage and Security.

Direct Booting a VHD in XenServer

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I've run across several instances where I needed to direct boot a VHD in XenServer.  One example was migrating from Hyper-V to XenServer.  Another was updating the network stack, XenTools, and PVS Tools on existing vDisks.  Regardless, the following is the three-step process I took...

The Future of Computing? BYOC!

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Check out my latest article, and in depth look at Bring Your Own Computer to Work Policies...

A growing trend in technology firms is Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC or BYOPC). Of course organizations such as Microsoft, Google, Citrix and Cisco are embracing this -- which is to be expected. However, as workforces become increasingly mobile, and virtualization methodologies are further adapted in enterprises, BYOC will inevitably grow.

Deploying Windows 7 with XenDesktop 3

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I've been running Windows 7 since May. I have to say, I've very impressed. Microsoft got it right. They took the best of XP and Vista (and MACs), plus some good common sense features to make a great product. I've run it on three systems, ranging from a brand new Quad-Core 4gb RAM laptop to an old single-core 1gb ram nc6120.

As a virtualization engineer, I'm seeing a lot of customers evaluating virtual desktop deployments as a way to distribute Windows 7 in their enterprise. It would be easy to argue Windows 7 is a reason they are embracing VDI; of course, it is just as easy to say they are using Windows 7 as the excuse for VDI. Either way, both are gathering steam.