Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• How can IT identify and manage VDI usage fluctuations?

  Unpredictable user behavior and boot storms can cause VDI resource usage fluctuations throughout the day. IT can take steps to identify and curtail the effects of these changes.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of building up VDI in the current market

  Determining how to host and manage desktops for an entire organization is a major task, so business leaders need to understand the modern VDI market before making this decision.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix work on a Chromebook?

  Organizations looking for cost-effective laptops may consider Chromebooks, but IT must learn if these endpoints can coexist with existing business technologies, such as Citrix.  Continue Reading

• How does ControlUp monitoring fix Citrix performance issues?

  There are few more important aspects of managing virtual desktops than monitoring them for performance issues. This video tutorial explains how to use ControlUp for UX monitoring.  Continue Reading

• What is a roaming profile and how does it work?

  Although several newer tools are available, Microsoft roaming profiles is a simple and time-tested way to manage a user's profile across physical and virtual desktop environments.  Continue Reading

• Can IT use VMware Horizon View without vCenter?

  Running VMware Horizon View without vCenter is possible but impractical. Understand why an organization would want to use this setup and what the implications are.  Continue Reading

• What features should IT look for in VDI monitoring tools?

  VDI monitoring tools can help IT get visibility into a complex environment. Here are five features every IT admin should look for in a VDI monitoring tool.  Continue Reading

• When should IT use thin clients for VDI?

  Thin clients are less expensive than PCs, but they also come with limitations. Find out if thin clients will work well within your organization.  Continue Reading

• What does IT need to know about VDI web browsers?

  End users can easily access their virtual desktops and applications through any supported HTML5 web browser. Learn about the pros and cons of using VDI and web browsers together.  Continue Reading

• What should IT consider when choosing VDI antivirus software?

  Virtual desktops are just as susceptible to cyberattacks as any physical desktop. Here's what IT administrators need to know about choosing the right VDI antivirus software.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of on-premises hosting for virtual desktops?

  IT shouldn't overlook the benefits of on-premises desktop hosting, such as more choices for virtualization software. Cloud-hosted desktops also fall short in areas such as infrastructure control.  Continue Reading

• How do DaaS providers deliver cloud desktops?

  Most DaaS providers offer either session- or client-based desktops. Services differ in the OSes that providers support and the configuration options at IT administrators' disposal.  Continue Reading

• Can hyper-converged infrastructure cut VDI costs?

  Hyper-converged systems may cost more upfront, but organizations must also calculate long-term costs to determine if HCI is a fit for their virtual desktop infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• GPU use gains traction in VDI deployments

  The ability to share GPUs among multiple virtual desktop instances has contributed to a rise in GPU use in many VDI deployments.  Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft RemoteApp server-based virtualization work?

  With RemoteApp, users can access virtual apps that reside in a data center or in a cloud-based VM rather than locally on their devices. The app still behaves as though it's local.  Continue Reading

• How should IT assess zero client vs. thin client devices?

  Zero clients and thin clients can simplify the endpoints users work with in VDI deployments. The makeup of each option affects the benefits it delivers.  Continue Reading

• Are application layers always a good idea?

  App layering, which separates apps from the underlying OS, helps IT in several ways, including allowing it to deliver apps to specific groups, but it's not always a great fit.  Continue Reading

• How are application layering and app virtualization different?

  If IT pros effectively use either app layering or app virtualization, they can simplify management while improving the end-user experience.  Continue Reading

• How can IT improve its virtual application capacity plan?

  When IT deploys virtual apps, it must plan for the applications' capacity needs. Two common planning methods are monitoring app performance and load simulation.  Continue Reading

• Does application container technology differ from virtualization?

  When delivering virtual apps to users, IT has a few options up its sleeve, including containers, which isolate the app from the OS and other applications.  Continue Reading

• How does a client-based application with Microsoft App-V work?

  The app virtualization world is confusing. Get some clarity on how client-based app deployment works by taking a closer look at Microsoft App-V.  Continue Reading

• How should IT approach VDI provisioning?

  Over or underprovisioning resources for virtual desktops can leave a VDI deployment in rough shape. With a few tips, IT pros can make sure they make the correct calculations.  Continue Reading

• Can IT add digital watermarks to its virtual desktops?

  As part of a larger security strategy, watermarking virtual desktops can help IT discourage data leakage by adding user-specific text to each desktop.  Continue Reading

• How can IT retrieve VDI server configuration information?

  IT pros may need to retrieve server configuration information to diagnose problems with their VDI. They can do so in Windows-based deployments with the right PowerShell cmdlets.  Continue Reading

• How should IT evaluate application virtualization products?

  When picking an application virtualization tool, IT pros must understand the app types they are dealing with, determine their security needs and more.  Continue Reading

• Does deploying VDI affect other systems?

  VDI can affect areas of a company network, such as internet bandwidth. IT can mitigate the effects of VDI users by allocating resources and monitoring system performance.  Continue Reading

• How can IT combat rogue RDP access?

  Hackers can gain remote access to users' desktops through RDP hijacking. As a result, IT pros must know what they can do to prevent such an attack.  Continue Reading

• How does user location affect VDI capacity planning?

  When coming up with a VDI capacity plan, IT must account for exactly where users are located and possibly consider an SD-WAN or edge computing.  Continue Reading

• The evolution of the application performance management tool

  As apps evolve, the tools IT uses to manage them have to as well. App virtualization in particular has altered management needs by requiring that IT be able to see into the entire app stack.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between TCP and UDP?

  When it comes to using TCP or UDP for sending packets of data through a network across devices, IT must know the differences and when each option is a good fit.  Continue Reading

• What root cause analysis software exists for virtual desktops?

  When trying to get to the bottom of virtual desktop problems, IT should turn to root cause analysis tools from vendors such as ControlUp and Lakeside Software.  Continue Reading

• What Citrix VDI monitoring tools are built in?

  XenApp and XenDesktop shops should use any of Citrix's four VDI monitoring tools to get better control over their deployments, user sessions and administrative changes.  Continue Reading

• What are the open source remote display protocol options?

  Fluctuating VDI costs can catch any organization by surprise. Consider open source remote display protocols to keep the price tag low and user experience high.  Continue Reading

• How does Office 365 VDI licensing work in nonpersistent deployments?

  Setting up Office 365 generally involves multiple devices. With nonpersistent VDI, the rules of the game change for IT admins.  Continue Reading

• How does Office 365 licensing work in VDI deployments?

  Licensing Office 365 for VDI deployments is not simple. The requirements change depending on the deployment type. Microsoft RDS, for example, completely alters how it works.  Continue Reading

• How does VMware Horizon View licensing work?

  Licensing is a critical component of VDI. VMware offers two main licensing options with Horizon View; a per user model and a per concurrent connection model.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix StoreFront work with XenApp and XenDesktop?

  Citrix's enterprise app store can help VDI shops transition to a mobile-friendly virtual desktop and application strategy by broadening remote access and providing a simpler user interface for employees.  Continue Reading

• How do physical and virtual desktop patch deployment differ?

  Patching virtual desktops and PCs isn't exactly the same. VDI puts more strain on your storage system, and read-only virtual desktop images often erase patches at the end of a user's session.  Continue Reading

• Should businesses use HTML5 remote desktop clients?

  HTML5 clients can serve as a widely accessible, mobile friendly way for users to access virtual desktops, but there are still a few security kinks to work out.  Continue Reading

• How does virtual desktop performance compare to PCs?

  Virtual desktops need to perform similar to physical desktops, or else users become frustrated. Most companies now have enough back-end resources to support speedy VDI connections.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a VM clone and a template?

  Creating virtual machine templates and clones are quick-and-easy ways to deploy multiple VMs, but for your VDI environment to thrive, you should know the best use cases for each method.  Continue Reading

• Do I really need Citrix NetScaler?

  NetScaler or not, you need an application delivery controller. But XenApp and XenDesktop shops that use a non-Citrix gateway run the risk of losing Citrix's support.  Continue Reading

• Can I use a tablet for VDI?

  Technology-wise, it's possible to access a virtual desktop from a tablet, but the user experience may not be ideal. On the other hand, if you have a mouse and keyboard hooked up to the tablet, it can be a great way to access VDI.  Continue Reading

• Do I need antivirus for VDI deployments?

  Virtual desktop environments aren't immune to viruses and malware, so it's important to have an antivirus tool and strategy in place before your deployment gets infected.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VDI vs. Terminal Services?

  The VDI vs. Terminal Services (or RDS) debate is based on the differences between the two methods for delivering remote desktops. One uses sessions and the other connects users to full client OS desktops.  Continue Reading

• ThinApp vs. XenApp: What's the difference?

  ThinApp and XenApp are both application virtualization tools. They do basically the same thing, they just come from different vendors.  Continue Reading

• What does the Nvidia, VMware and Google partnership mean for VDI?

  Nvidia, VMware and Google have teamed up to deliver quality graphics on low-cost Chromebooks. Though the devices' enterprise readiness has been questioned in the past, this collaboration could garner a double take.  Continue Reading

• How can I implement cloud desktops?

  There are four different ways to do desktop as a service in your organization. Each option, however, has its pros and cons.  Continue Reading

• RDSH vs. VDI comparison proves use case is everything

  In a RDSH vs. VDI comparison, it's not a matter of which is better. The most important thing is which one best fits your use case. VDI is good if users need multiple applications, but RDSH is a more lightweight model.  Continue Reading

• Why you need VDI training and how to go about it

  VDI requires new hardware and software, so make sure you get some VDI training and certifications under your belt before you deploy virtual desktops.  Continue Reading

• What exactly is included in the Microsoft VDA license cost?

  The Virtual Desktop Access license lets users remotely access Windows from more types of devices, but it costs more than Software Assurance.  Continue Reading