1. Desktop Virtualization: Key Implementation Considerations1

2. See the Impact Report “Desktop Virtualization: Assessing Organizational Appropriateness” to determine organizational fit.
Executive Summary
The majority of stakeholders achieved satisfactory success with their implementation.
Ideally desktop computing users should see an improvement in service or at least no change at all.
The total cost of virtual desktops is less than traditional desktops in the most cases.
A successful implementation will deliver a long-term reduction in desktop management costs.
Implementers saw few budget and schedule variances in their projects.
Proof of concept pilot is a valuable first step.
A pilot provides the organization with the IT and end-user experience and executive buy-in necessary for successful deployment.
Build the desktop virtualization deployment back to front.
Desktop virtualization deployment begins at the server where desktop OS and software are implemented.
Next up is the network assets and the brokering software that will connect the end user to their desktop.
Finally there is the access device. This could be a desktop computer, laptop, or thin client device.
Focus on service delivery in your communication strategy.
There is only one question that really matters in any IT communication strategy: How will this initiative impact service? 2

3. Research Method
Research Method
The desktop virtualization Impact Reports are based on results from 204 surveyed IT managers and in-depth interviews with 30 IT leaders.
All major industry segments, sizes of organizations, and revenue brackets were represented.
Organizations at all stages of implementation or consideration of desktop virtualization were represented.

4. Success in Desktop Virtualization4

5. IT Director, State Government
Success of Desktop Virtualization
Challenges of Desktop Virtualization
Majority of stakeholders satisfied with desktop virtualization implementation
The majority of stakeholders achieved satisfactory success with their desktop virtualization implementation.
Ideally, end users should see a slight improvement in performance of their desktops, or no change at all.
“Overall I would rate the implementation successful. The most pleasing thing to me is that customers are happy. When they are happy, I am happy.”
IT Director, State Government

6. Desktop virtualization costs less than traditional desktops
Success of Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization costs less than traditional desktops
Desktop virtualization was found to cost less than traditional deployment more than 75% of the time.
In terms of cost savings and efficiency improvements, desktop virtualization has a greater potential in longer term desktop management operations (desk side support reduction, apps delivery and maintenance, upgrade deployment and management).
Pitch desktop virtualization as a small savings now, but a larger savings later.
Mini Case Study
A mid-sized organization deployed virtual desktops to a subset of their users without additional funding. Their existing budget included a refresh allowance of $2000 per laptop for six home office remote users. By implementing VMware View starter kit with ten all-inclusive licenses at a cost of $2000 in total, the need to buy new laptops was eliminated and $10,000 was saved.

7. Few budget and schedule surprises in DV projects
Success of Desktop Virtualization
Few budget and schedule surprises in DV projects
Implementations meet the planned budget. Most projects met their budget. One variable that impacts the cost per virtual machine is the density of VMs that could be stored per server. If this turned out to be less than what was promised by the vendor, the budget was impacted.
Most projects were completed on time. Implementers had often spent time piloting small installations of virtual desktops. By piloting a small virtualization deployment, organizations were better prepared for the full implementation.
Experience plays a role in meeting budget and time estimations. Users who had implemented server virtualization were far more likely to select the same vendor for desktop virtualization. In these cases, the organization can leverage the skills, experience, and tools developed in managing virtual infrastructure for servers for the deployment and management of virtual desktops. This ability increases the accuracy of budget and time estimations.

8. Success of Desktop Virtualization
The implementation plan needs to include steps to address the most common DV implementation challenges
A good implementation plan will take into account key potential challenges that have been identified by other organizations.
For more about the main challenges to virtualization, refer to the Impact Research Report, “Desktop Virtualization: Assessing Organizational Appropriateness.”

9. Implementing Desktop Virtualization
Step 2:
Network & Broker Connection
Project Planning & Piloting
Step 1:
Server
Considerations
Step 3:
Access
Devices
Communication Strategy 9

10. Proof of concept pilot a valuable first step
Project Planning & Piloting
Proof of concept pilot a valuable first step
Conducting a proof of concept pilot provides the organization with the IT and end-user experience and executive buy-in necessary for successful deployment.
Piloting with a small group of users was rated as the most important activity to ensuring project success.
One organization deliberately choose users needing performance for their pilot based on the premise that this was the group that had to become regular users of VDI for it to be successful.

11. Look for low hanging fruit for pilot project
Project Planning & Piloting
Look for low hanging fruit for pilot project
For early stage pilot projects, look for low hanging fruit scenarios. These will provide proof of concept while also achieving short-term cost savings. Some of these scenarios include:
Virtual Test Lab. Create a test lab of server-hosted virtual PCs to test a new application or an operating system upgrade. By doing so, a separate set of test PCs is not required. This is especially useful if the test requires memory and processing capacity greater than that of the testers' machines.
Alternative for Laptops for Remote Desktop Deployment. Instead of deploying company laptops to secure remote computing end points, provide remote users access to virtual desktops from their own device, such as a home PC
Pilot with Users Ready for a Hardware Refresh. These users will likely be more willing to participate in the pilot, and may see a performance boost which will increase user buy-in.
“The 15 people for the pilot were folks who were due for a new computer, so some of their PCs were considerably old. The performance boost that they felt on the VDI was enough for them to buy in. The feedback was, ‘sign me up.’”
IT Director, Financial Services

12. Project Planning & Piloting
Other key planning steps include gaining support, training, third-party help, ROI analysis, and testing
Planning Step
Why it’s important
Gaining executive support
Formally gaining executive buy-in will help mitigate any potential user resistance later on.
Training IT staff
Help desk, remote, support and self-serve needs to be effective and responsive. To accomplish this, staff may need to be trained. This is especially true for organizations new to server virtualization.
Using consultants or third party help
Generally external consultants are used by larger enterprises deploying over a large number of end users. Typically these are Citrix shops that have used consultants in the past for large scale projects. In more complex cases, such as those requiring peripheral support or organizations new to virtualization, third party help should be considered.
Conducting an ROI analysis
Conducting a formal ROI analysis is useful for organizations that need help gaining executive buy-in or are unsure if desktop virtualization will actually save them money. For help with this, use the ITA Premium “Virtual Desktop Infrastructure TCO per Desktop Tool.”
Testing more than one solution
Organizations that do not have an incumbent vendor should test more than one solution to see which one offers needed features at a reasonable price point.

13. Build the desktop virtualization deployment back to front
Server Considerations
Build the desktop virtualization deployment back to front
Traditional desktop implementation begins with what hardware and software will be required on the desktop followed by what network services the desktop will require for accessing additional back end services (e.g. an server and shared network storage).
Desktop virtualization deployment begins at the server. The required desktop OS and software are implemented on virtual machines hosted on the server.
Next up is the network assets and the brokering software that will connect the end user to their desktop computing environment.
Finally there is the access device. This could be a desktop computer, laptop, or thin client device. 1 2 3
Server and Virtualization
Network and Broker
Access Device

14. Server considerations: provision generously1
Server and Virtualization
Plan 5 to 6 VMs per Processor Core
The number of VMs that will run on a server will vary greatly depending on applications and workload. VMware, for example, estimates up to 42 “light duty” VMs can be hosted on a dual processor dual core system (10.5 per core). Info-Tech finds that for planning, a more conservative estimate of 5 or 6 per core is more realistic.
Using a dual processor dual core server, a 6 per core estimate yields a VM density of 24 VMs on the server.
6 VMs X 4 Cores = 24 Desktops
Server requirements will include a virtualization hypervisor (e.g. VMware ESX, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer).
Multicore and multiprocessor (two or more) servers are best. Plan for five or six VMs per processor core. Mileage will vary greatly depending on VM usage.
Don’t skimp on memory. At least 512 MB of RAM allocated per active virtual PC. For example, 16 VMs on a host at 512 MB each would require 8 Gigabytes of memory.
Storage (e.g. DAS or SAN) is also a critical consideration. However total storage impact is being mitigated by changes in DV software.
The majority of DV evaluators and implementers are leveraging previous experience in server virtualization for virtual desktops.

15. Make the connection: brokers, protocols, bandwidth
Network & Broker Connection
Make the connection: brokers, protocols, bandwidth 2
Network and Broker
Remote Connection: It’s All the Same
A remote access connection differs little whether the user is being connected to a Virtual PC, a server based application, or a blade PC or workstation.
If usability of an application is affected by remote access issues (e.g. latency in graphic refresh), the problem will be the same regardless of where it sits.
In other words, you won’t fix these kinds of problems by moving the application from, for example, a Terminal Services server to a virtual desktop.
The desktop virtualization solution will use a remote connection protocol to link the end user to the hosted virtual desktop over the network link – typically Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Citrix ICS.
Connection broker software authenticates the user and establishes the connection. Connection brokers are normally included with desktop virtualization solutions.
Broker software typically can connect users not just to virtual desktops but also to blade PCs, server hosted applications, and virtualized applications.
For network bandwidth, plan for 25Kbps of dedicated bandwidth for each virtual desktop. So, for example, for 16 virtual desktops per server, 400Kbps of dedicated bandwidth would be required.

16. VMware and Citrix lead the vendor pack by a large margin
Network & Broker Connection
VMware and Citrix lead the vendor pack by a large margin
Over 75% of organizations don’t consider vendors outside of VMware and Citrix.
Most of these implementers don’t consider other vendors because they find it a natural progression to go with the vendor they use on the server virtualization side.

17. VMware View Highlights Improved Storage for VMs
Network & Broker Connection ?
Visit VMware for more product information.
VMware: leveraging server virtualization to the desktop
In 2009, VMware launched an updated product called VMware View, which combines the former VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM), and elements of VMware ACE for offline “checking out” of VMs to disconnected laptops and desktops. In addition to virtual desktop management and connection brokering, the Premier edition of VMware View also includes VMware ThinApp for access to application virtualization. View can also connect users to remote PCs and blade workstations.
VMware View Highlights
Improved Storage for VMs
To reduce storage overhead, View uses master VM templates. Each user desktop is essentially a thin clone of the master, which only stores differential data such as user settings. This leads to a 70% decrease in storage requirements and streamlines desktop management for quick provisioning of new desktops as well as fast patches and upgrades.
More About VMware View
Solution Pricing
View Enterprise ($150 per Desktop)
View Premier ($250) – Includes ThinApp and Offline Desktop
VMware Positive
Solid pricing, improved management, new innovations like offline desktops (though not yet ready for prime time).
VMware Negative
Rapid development making it somewhat of a moving target for implementers.
VMware View Brochure

18. Dynamic Desktop Assembly
Network & Broker Connection ?
Visit Citrix for more product information.
Citrix: taking application delivery to new territory
Citrix has expanded on its history of “application delivery” to the desktop (via Terminal Services and Thin Clients) to hosting full virtual desktops. XenDesktop manages virtual desktops on Citrix’s XenServer hypervisor but also on VMware ESX Server or Microsoft Hyper-V. XenDesktop integrates with Citrix’s application presentation and virtualization (XenApp) and a provisioning server for dynamic assembly of user desktop (e.g. OS, applications, settings) for lower storage requirements and a “new desktop” at each connection.
Citrix Highlights
Dynamic Desktop Assembly
Citrix’s approach is to have the virtual machine, OS, applications, and user settings automatically assemble at start-up. This lowers storage overhead as complete VM hard drive files need not be maintained for each user.
More About XenDesktop
Citrix XenDesktop Enters the Ring
Solution Pricing
Express (Free)
Standard ($75)
Advanced ($195)
Enterprise ($295)
Platinum ($395)
Citrix Positive
Dynamic provisioning, Hypervisor agnostic. Low entry price.
Citrix Negative..
Cost concerns from implementers. Deluxe editions include XenApp licensing.

19. There are other emerging desktop virtualization vendors
Network & Broker Connection
There are other emerging desktop virtualization vendors
Vendors
Description
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)
Microsoft has traditionally partnered with Citrix to provide application and desktop virtualization. With MED-V they are leveraging Microsoft Virtual PC to provide virtual desktop infrastructure. However Microsoft is focusing most of their attention on application delivery to the desktop. MED-V availability is limited to Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) which is itself only available as an option to Software Assurance customers.
Oracle (Sun & Virtual Iron)
In 2009, Oracle purchased both Sun Microsystems and Virtual Iron. Sun has a competitive VDI product in Sun VDI. Virtual Iron has also been used for the back-end virtual infrastructure for various VDI options, including Provision Networks, Ericom and 2X. The acquisitions consolidate the number three and four players in the virtual desktop market and create a potential new enterprise class competitor in the space.
Parallels
Parallels uses Parallels Virtuozzo Containers for its virtual desktop infrastructure and Quest Provision Networks for its management. Using containers as opposed to hypervisor-based virtual machines means that one Windows instance is partitioned and shared (as opposed to multiple virtual machine-based OS instances). This has potential for more efficient management of OS maintenance and licensing.
Quest (Provision Networks)
Quest entered the desktop virtualization space with its acquisition of Provision Networks. The now rebranded Quest vWorkspace offers combined virtual desktop brokering, management, and application publishing. It is also compatible with the major server and OS virtualization solutions.

20. The access device: multiple options available
Access Devices
The access device: multiple options available 3
The end user access device is the last consideration in the desktop virtualization roll-out. The desktop equipment is essentially an access point for the centrally hosted desktop service. It can be a thin client device but it can also be a re-purposed PC or laptop. Desktop virtualization and thin client hardware are not synonymous. There are a number of scenarios where real benefit can be gained from accessing virtual desktops from regular PCs and laptops.
Access Device
Fully 91% of implementers plan to use some thin client hardware though only 7% plan to use all thin clients – the rest use a combination of thin clients with fat clients and/or laptops.
Using DV to delay PC refresh. Where clients receive a workstation upgrade via virtual machine but continue to use legacy hardware. This approach is used when the organization wants to save money on hardware and are able to extend the life of the hardware by using VDI.
Providing Offsite Access to Full Desktops. As noted earlier, desktop virtualization can enable off-site access (e.g. from a user’s home PC) to secure desktops via VPN connection.
Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) programs. Where employees bring their own laptop to work and use it to access a secured virtual desktop separate from their own personal desktop.

21. Where appropriate, thin clients have benefits
Access Devices
Where appropriate, thin clients have benefits
Reduced costs of electricity per desktop as there is no longer a disk and cooling fan to spin.
Deskside support costs are driven down. No moving parts means less maintenance. Less wear and tear means lifecycles can also be extended further than PCs.
Improved user experience. If the user is accessing a virtual desktop from legacy hardware, thin client hardware with better media handling (e.g. sound, graphics) will improve the end user experience.
Reduced hardware costs for desktop refresh. Thin clients could provide 5 to 10% overall per desktop cost reduction when a refresh becomes necessary.
ITA Premium Thin Client Series
“Together at Last: Virtualization and Thin Clients”
“Building VDI Thinfrastructure Top to Bottom”
“Long-Term Return Is Key to Thin Client Deployment”
“The Future of Thin Client Deployment”
“Because of the economy right now, we’ve been buying clearance stuff. We go to the CDW Outlet, or if they have a return, we just buy them up, and we've been getting thin clients under $100 each.”
IT Executive, Non-Profit Organization

22. HP and Wyse clear leaders in thin client selection
Access Devices
HP and Wyse clear leaders in thin client selection
HP and Wyse are clear market leaders among those evaluating and selecting thin client solutions.
Others contenders include: iGel, ChipPC, ClearCube, PanoLogic.

23. There are many viable thin client options to choose from
Access Devices
There are many viable thin client options to choose from
Vendor
Details
Chip PC
Chip PC offers innovative form factors for their thin clients. The Jack PC, for example, fits all of the components of the thin client into a box that can be mounted in a wall mount. Peripherals ports such as the monitor, keyboard, and USB appear as wall sockets.
ClearCube
ClearCube’s strength is in virtualization using PC blades, a market it entered in the 1990s. While ClearCube is a blade provider, the user ports will work with other manufacturers’ blades. HP
The acquisition of Neoware in 2007 launched HP into the top two of thin client market share. With this addition, HP also improved its software offering and added a thin laptop model to the line-up. HP offers the most comprehensive server to desktop solutions.
IGEL
IGEL is a German-based company that has been in the thin client market since IGEL’s TC Card allows enterprises to extend the life of legacy desktop PCs by replacing the hard drive with the TC Card.
Pano Logic
Pano Logic offers one simple, zero-client model. The sleek Pano desktop cube provides a full range of connection ports and has no internal operating system. A separate Pano Management Server acts as a connection broker and monitors performance.
Wyse Technology
Founded in 1981, Wyse is one of the longest-running thin client vendors. It is also the market leader, with HP running a close second. Wyse’s TCX Suite boosts performance of graphic’s intensive applications accessed via thin client.

24. Focus on service delivery in your communication strategy
There is only one question that really matters in any IT communication strategy: How will this initiative impact service?
How Not To Communicate DV
Key Messages For DV Project Success
Desktop Virtualization will make life much easier for IT. More important is how it will impact the work of end-users.
This will save the company money. Good news to be sure but will the true cost be borne in a poor use experience and reduced service?
This initiative will user proof tech assets. Suggests that primary goal is protecting assets from users. Speaks to an asset service rather than end user service focus.
We’re coming for your PC this week.
DV provides a full Windows desktop. Will not require a change from familiar desktop environment regardless of access hardware.
Less downtime, faster application loading, and improved performance. This is particularly true of data-intensive applications.
Desktop performance will not degrade over time. A virtual desktop generated from a master template does not accumulate system junk over time.
Rapid deployment for new applications and upgrades. Such as an upgrade to Office 7 or Windows 7 without desktop hardware replacement.
Access your desktop from multiple points.
Also . . .
Develop and communicate contingency plans for candidates that are not a good fit. How will those who find that DV does not perform well enough be served?
Be clear about implementation glitches that might occur. For example, pilots where an “it might be slow at first” message was communicated had better success than where end users were left to make snap first impression judgements.

25. Key Conclusions The big savings are longer term.
Focus on measuring longer term operational and capital savings from desktop virtualization.
Pitch small short term savings to start, larger savings over life of solution.
The implementation starts on the server side.
Build the desktop virtualization solution back to front.
Traditional desktop provisioning projects start with meeting requirements at the desktop with deployment of hardware and configuration of software.
Desktop virtualization is about delivering desktop services from a back end server.
Communication must focus on service.
Focus communication strategy on service to the end user. Convey how it will improve service or at least not lead to reduced service. 25

26. Case Studies 26

27. Case Studies
Happier end users were the result for a manufacturing organization’s implementation
Desktop Virtualization Status: Implemented
Industry
Manufacturing
Total planned VDs
100
Employees
170
Current number of VDs 50
IT Staff 3
Revenue
$100M
Main Drivers for VDI
Issues with terminal services on thin clients - application performance was a pain.
User driven demand.
Vendor
VMware VDI
Vendor Selection Criteria
Previous experience with VMware
OUTCOME
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Top Benefits
Excellent performance.
Control of desktop environment while providing end users flexibility.
Overall pleased with the move to virtual desktops. Users were the most satisfied because of the switch to VDI. The CIO defined success as “quieter users”. One of the challenges has been underestimating the costs associated. Did not get the density of virtual desktops per server as had expected.
Top Challenges
Found VMware and entire solution complex compared to earlier terminal services architecture.
“I’ll be the first to admit it, but I’m actually surprised by how well Microsoft products run when you remove hardware from the factor.”
“We implemented it with Wyse clients and I was shocked how well the products ran – performance is great, no blue screen of death and stability is great.” 27

28. Case Studies
Consultant used for implementation to resolve peripheral device issues and ROI calculation
Desktop Virtualization Status: Implemented
Industry
Government
Total planned VDs
200
Employees
300
Current number of VDs 20
IT Staff 5
Revenue
$25M
Main Drivers for VDI
Consolidate spread out desktop infrastructure
Provide high performance users (without local processing needs) with a flexible full desktop.
Vendor
VMware VDI
Vendor Selection Criteria
Previous experience with VMware Server virtualization.
“We're very happy with the VDI environment. We have drank the VMware Kool-Aid and we're certainly on side with that product. Working with the consultant as well as with VMware, has just been a fantastic relationship and they've done a wonderful job.”
OUTCOME
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Top Benefits
Centralized management.
Improved performance for users.
Started with a focus on the higher performance users and piloted for 6 months to work out issues. Acknowledged high performance users with GPU processing would not be suited for initial deployment. The key success enabler for the organization was the relationship with their consultant and support from VMware. Peripheral device support issues were resolved by consultant. Consultant designed an objective ROI/TCO tool for the client to get budget approval.
Top Challenges
Supporting peripheral devices was very difficult due to specialized environment.
Gaining a true understanding of costs involved. ROI and TCO calculators from vendors had obvious biases. 28