The Magic of Citrix XenDesktop is Ardence (Provisioning Server)

Posted on July 1st, 2008 in citrix, vdi, xendesktop by Rich

Building on my previous post about the XenDesktop Hands On Lab training I attended last week, this post is dedicated to the real magic of Citrix XenDesktop. Ardence, a software streaming solution aquired by Citrix in December of 2006, is now Citrix Provisioning Server for Desktops with the amazing ability to deliver desktops from a single disk image. Provisioning Server, coupled with the Desktop Delivery Controller as the VDI Connection Broker, delivers complete Microsoft Windows, SUSE Linux, and Red Hat Linux operating systems images from networked storage. These OS images are quickly brokered to bare metal user’s desktops at Active Directory Domain log on. With VDI, the bare metal desktop happens to be the virtual hardware of virtual machines hosted on either XenServer, ESX Server, or Windows 2008 Server Hyper-V.

The Provisioning Server home page (linked above) explains the advantages achieved with the Ardence technology.

Citrix XenDesktop: VDI with some key differentiators

Posted on July 1st, 2008 in XenServer, citrix, vdi, xendesktop by Rich

Last week I participated in a training event hosted by Citrix titled “Citrix Hands On Technical Workshop - XenDesktop“. The training was very beneficial in that I was not only able to walk through some configuration labs but I also heard first hand experiences from various partners around the Southeast that have already implemented XenDesktop. This post is a summary of my notes about Citrix’s solution and it’s key differentiators from other VDI alternatives.

The complete XenDestop solution consists of the following components:

  • XenServer (or VMware ESX or Microsoft Hyper-V)
  • Provisioning Server
  • The Desktop Delivery Controller
  • XenApp
  • Citrix Access Gateway
  • WANScaler
  • EdgeSight
  • GoToAssist
  • EasyCall

Details on each of the pieces can be found on Citrix’s XenDesktop Technology page. Administrators familiar with the Citrix line of products will recognize several traditional components from their Presentation Server solutions. The “How Desktop Delivery Works” screen shot above is also from Citrix’s web page. Click on it for a larger view of the image.

Like VMware’s Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM), XenDesktop’s solution is centered around a connection broker, or The Desktop Delivery Controller (DCC).

What if? VDI and Mobile Phone Virtualization

Posted on June 20th, 2008 in news, vdi, vmetc.com by Rich

Businessweek.com reported back in April about how VirtualLogix’s Peter Richards is building a virtualization layer for mobile phones. Virtualization Goes Mobile explains that just like virtualization for the computer, a phone could use virtualization software to simultaneously host multiple operating systems such as RIMM, Symbian, Windows Mobile, or Google Android. Assuming VirtualLogix can work out each individual operating system’s dependencies on their current physical hardware device (qwerty keyboard, touch screens, etc.), imagine finally being able to have just one smart phone on your belt.

So, while we’re fantasizing about the possibility let’s not stop there.

XP SP3 supported on Hyper-V

Posted on April 28th, 2008 in hyper-v, microsoft, vdi by Rich

I was not aware that you could not install WinXP SP2 or earlier versions as a VM on Microsoft’s Hyper-V servers. I haven’t had the opportunity to play with Hyper-V yet, so I I’ll attribute missing this fact to not having the need to know. I’m sure there are a bunch of administrators in the same stage of evaluation as me. Hopefully this post will not be old news to most. XP SP3 will become available for download this week as an optional update. Microsoft will begin pushing XP SP3 to everyone that has Windows Update set to Automatic in early June.

The problem with installing XP SP2 on Hyper-V is that you can not install Integration Services (also called VM Additions or VMtools by other vendors), and without Integration Services you do not have network adapters in the VM. Christian Saborío sums up the problem in his post titled How to Install Integration Services on a Virtual Machine without Windows XP SP3.

“The problem happened when importing a Virtual hard disk that I had that had Windows XP SP2. See, in order for a VM to take full advantage of Hyper-V, you need to have the Integration Services installed (these are the new Virtual Machine Additions, in Virtual Server lingo). In order to install the Integration Services, I needed to have Windows XP SP3 - which I could easily download; but the VM did not had network support. Why? Because it needed Integration Services…see where I am getting at here?”

Christian explains that he was able to slipstream an .iso of XP with SP3 and, after a new install he had a running VM.

Microsoft announced that XP SP3 will be generally available this week. I found the following useful info

Optimized for VDI XP Virtual Machine Template Checklist

Posted on March 31st, 2008 in how to, vdi, vdm, vecd, vmetc.com by Rich

This checklist is intended to optimize a Windows XP VM for VDI deployments and keep it as small as possible.
The configuration steps were taken from the VMWorld 2007 lab “Using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Hosted Computing”. The Appendix of the lab materials .pdf was copied to create this table and most of the steps are copied as they appear in that document.

It is recommended that a VM that has been optimized by performing the steps in this checklist be used as a template or gold image for all other XP VMs.

VDM 2 is much more than just a connection broker

Posted on March 20th, 2008 in VAC, partner, vdi, vmware by Rich

Over the past several weeks I have attended VMware’s latest VMLive web seminar about VDI as well as a local partner training session. Both the web seminar and the training session provided some great information about the new Virtual Desktop Manager product or VDM 2. The following post is a summary of my notes and some of the slides from the web session. Click on the slides to view a larger version.

VDI ArchitectureVDI & VDM Architecture

With VDM 2 the VDI architecture is scalable and flexible. Multiple installations of VDM allow for larger numbers of users and desktops. Securing virtual desktop access from the Internet is also possible.

When you install VDM 2 you have three choices for the Desktop Manager installation type:

  • Standard (first Connecton Server),
  • Replica (copies of first server) servers
  • Security Server - ssl tunneling, 2 factor authentication - can be installed in DMZ

VDM installs

Migrate to VDI or upgrade to Vista?

Posted on February 22nd, 2008 in blogs, microsoft, news, thin clients, vdi, vecd, vista, vmware by Rich

Cost comparison: Virtual vs. Vista desktop management is a great article from Barb Goldworm published on techtarget.com explaining the costs of implementing virtual desktops and comparing those costs to upgrading existing desktops to Vista. Working through Barb’s cost model should be mandatory homework for any company trying to decide if they should use VDI or begin another PC refresh project. I am going to high-lite some points with quotes from the article and then provide my own opinion. Personally, I believe VDI is a great solution for specific application scenarios, but is probably not a good solution for replacing hundreds (or more) of users’ desktops - both from a cost angle as well as an implementation and administration angle. I am curious to hear from the community about costs associated with migrating to VDI as well.

Clarification on the cost of VDI and VECD

Posted on January 23rd, 2008 in microsoft, vdi, vecd, vmetc.com by Rich

VMTN has posted some clarification to my recent post The Hidden Cost of VDI. Microsoft has also announced some VECD licensing changes.

From VMware’s VMTN Blog:

A clarification about VECD licensing from Warren Ponder at the Virtual Desktop Blog. Warren is referring to Rich Brambley’s posting over at VM /ETC about The hidden cost of VDI - VECD. Note that in all of yesterday’s sound-and-fury from Microsoft, they did reduce the VECD license cost from $78 to $23 dollars.

From Warren Ponder’s Virtual Desktop Blog:

Recently I read a blog explaining some of the early details of VECD. It described VECD as a hidden cost of VDI. There were also some snippets from a FAQ that was released by VMware, shortly after VECD was announced back in April. The blog makes some valid points, but there was one small detail that was not accurate.

The the hidden cost of VDI - VECD

Posted on January 17th, 2008 in microsoft, vdi, vecd, vista, vmware by Rich

Did you know that if you deploy a VM with a Windows desktop OS on any virtualization server you are violating Microsoft licensing if you use your Volume Licensing key? Did you know that if you P2V a desktop OS that is using an OEM Windows License to a virtual server you are also in violation?

The only way Microsoft allows you to run virtual desktops on a virtual server is using an annual subscription license called Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktops (VECD), and VECD is only available if you buy Software Assurance. Microsoft announced VECD back in April 2007.

VMware published a .pdf that is a FAQ about VECD. Here’s some cut and pastes from the .pdf:

VDI Starter Kit Promotion

Posted on January 11th, 2008 in promos, vdi, vdm, vmware by Rich

I received an email today with a new VDI promotion from VMware:

Subject: VMWare Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Starter Kit Promotion

Customers who purchase a VMware license are entitled to a “free” VDI Starter Kit. Interested? Keep reading…

Installing VMware VDM (VMWorld 2007 lab materials)

Posted on November 1st, 2007 in how to, services, vdi, vdm, vmware, vmworld by Rich

More lab materials from VMWorld for those who can’t download themselves.

Linked to this post are the materials from “Using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Hosted Computing”. This lab walks through installation, administration, creating a desktop, creating desktop pools, and finally connecting to desktops and desktop pools.

The Appendix also goes through a detailed process of getting a WinXP VM ready to become a template. Too many template VMs are created without taking the time to optimize the VM for future cloning. This process can be used to prepare any VM for becoming a template - not just for use in VDI.

Using VDI Vmworld 2007 Lab



Free VDI with 2X ThinClientServer

Posted on October 18th, 2007 in 2X, vdi, vmware by Rich

From the 2x.com web site:

Desktop Virtualization with 2X ThinClientServer and VMware

Desktop virtualization takes the headache out of desktop administration by increasing security, redundancy and scalability. With 2X ThinClientServer and VMware server you can run your desktops virtually on central servers, and use the client machines to connect to the virtual machines. Stream your company’s desktops and applications just like a video!

Benefits of Virtual Desktop computing with 2X ThinClientServer and VMware

  • Maintain and secure Windows desktops and builds and all connected hardware devices from one central location
  • Improve support by shadowing sessions and watching the user’s actions
  • Easy addition, recovery and replacement of virtual desktops
  • Centralize control by allowing you to remotely shutdown or restart all devices
  • Reduce costs by converting old PCs to thinclients with the latest XP or Vista
  • No Terminal Services CALs required – re-use existing Windows XP license.

What do I need to achieve this?

1. 2X ThinClientServer PXES edition - Cost: Free
2. VMware Server - Cost: Free
3. An OS, either Linux/Windows - Cost: Free (If re-using same license)

I am using the ThinClientServer at home.


I have VMware Server hosting both a Winodws server and an XP desktop. ThinClientServer is running on the server and is configured to allow a group of users to be assigned an RDP session to the XP VM. I have an old pc that I boot from CD (the ThinClient .iso) to connect to the ThinClientServer VM where my login is authenticated. Then I am able to log in to the XP desktop RDP session.

The old pc I am using has a 333mz cpu and 128 mb of ram. The XP VM is using my host’s 1800+ cpu and 512 mb ram. It works great! I did not have a hard drive for this pc or otherwise I could have permanently installed the thinclient OS. It’s a great solution! All that is missing is 32 bit graphics and DirectX!

There is also commercial edition that has full support. The free edition only provides support via their forums.

Let me know if you have tried 2X ThinClientServer in a production environment.

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