VDI Deployment: A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
If you’re like many, you’ve left the world of PC desktops and are living in a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environment… or, you are planning such a POC (Proof Of Concept) soon. Whether you’re working on an initial build with new VMs (Virtual Machines), dealing with a change or upgrade, adding new VMs, or going through a refresh cycle, etc., any VDI deployment can be even more successful when you take time for a little thoughtful checking…
A 5-Step, Pre-VDI Deployment Checklist
VDI replaces the loud, energy-hungry, overpowered Fat PC environment with better management and security of end user VMs and related data, energy and cost savings, and more. VDI deployment for VMs/VM groups are effective, safe, and easy. Here’s a simple checklist for ensuring successful VDI deployments.
1) DO SOME TESTING.
With any new POC VDI deployment, testing is the best way to help see how it will take effect. It’s a good idea to leave yourself some time for planning which VM user groups need what. Related targets and requirements should go through a UAT (User Acceptance Test) for initial performance and application support feedback prior to full VDI deployment.
2) CONSIDER YOUR SECURITY.
Not just a question of security, but also a question of cost. Don’t hold back when it comes to authenticating VMs and related users by not purchasing an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Certificate for your host server. In addition to verifying end users when they login, any transferred ‘back and forth’ data relating to VDI deployment is encrypted and covered via a secure website.
3) CHECK IN ON STORAGE.
The correct level of IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) is critical and should be specified based on number of users, user density, and user requirements. There may be heavy periods of boot or application storms, where multiple users require simultaneous access to VMs and/or applications. IOPS is as critical as your level of overall storage capacity. (Factor this in during testing.)
4) QUICK REVIEW OF NETWORK.
How is bandwidth for accommodating VM connections and communication, as well as graphic support and acceleration as it relates to host cards. What about speed? Consider adding QOS (Quality of Service) for prioritizing and queuing traffic for VM delivery protocols similar to delivering VoIP. (VoIP/VM delivery protocols/Other-Web/FTP/IM, etc.)
5) VERIFY BACKUP PLAN.
For any issue, VDI deployment or not, don’t end up with a situation that can stop ‘business as usual’ dead in its tracks. Have a disaster recovery plan put in place. For example: if your single server back plane should fail, what’s your backup plan to support your VMs? (Be sure to have VDI vendors that have excellent Tech Support staff.)
Bonus Tip: In addition, the right centralized management software console can help to achieve the best possible VDI deployment by centralizing VMs into your server/data center or cloud, as well as end points (Thin or Zero Clients) for automating selected and group configuration, shadowing, updating, and more.
About 10ZiG
If you don’t already know, 10ZiG is a world market leader in Thin & Zero Clients for VDI Technology. The 10ZiG Manager, our FREE centralized management software, is unsurpassed. Not to mention, our Customer Support is the best in the industry. Give us a call at 866-865-5250 or click here to have a no-charge, 30-day demo unit(s) of choice shipped out today.
