Enterprise-class desktop

virtualization with NComputing

Clear the hurdles that block you from getting ahead
Whitepaper
Introduction
Enterprise IT departments are realizing virtualization is not just for servers. Delivering more
inexpensive desktop computing solutions through virtualization also drives down operational
expenses. Corporations worldwide are turning to NComputing for virtualization solutions that
are optimized for large scale use. NComputing delivers the secure virtual desktop infrastructure
that simplifies PC support while reducing costs up to 90% per user. This whitepaper outlines the
pragmatic deployment architectures for successful deployment. NComputing, the global leader
in virtual desktop computing, transforms corporate IT to redefine the economics of desktop
computing.

The consolidation challenge

Virtual server management
Over the past few years, enterprises have invested in making their datacenters more efficient
through server consolidation. IT departments quickly realized that using 5% capacity of a server
costs the same to maintain as a server operating at 85% utilization. This lack of efficiency needed
to be addressed or risk straining the IT department’s ability to meet the needs of their business
owners—to deliver enterprise-class applications and services within an aggressive timeframe—
without unnecessarily driving up operational expenses with new hardware and datacenter costs. In
short, enterprises realized that they suffered from server sprawl and needed an antidote, which IT
vendors provided—virtualization server management (VSM).
As enterprises raced to implement server consolidation solutions, they heavily invested in Enterprise
License Agreements (ELAs) with major virtualization server management (VSM) vendors including
VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft. More often than not, an enterprise signed ELAs with not only one
VSM vendor, but rather multiple VSM vendors to meet the needs of a heterogenous datacenter
environment. In fact, the market demand for virtualization infrastructure has become so great that
IDC says the market for virtual server management software will grow more than 21 percent—to
$2.3 billion—by 2013.1

Virtual desktop infrastructure

As enterprises begin to achieve mature VSM solutions, they have expanded the organizational
focus to include desktop PCs. Much like the problem of server sprawl, Enterprises are overwhelmed
by the number of desktop PCs they must maintain and recognize that end-users typically only
utilize 5% of the capacity of a typical desktop PC. Like server consolidation, IT departments
immediately see an opportunity to better address business owner needs—to deliver inexpensive
PC compute power to more employees than ever, while simultaneously driving down typical IT
department operational expenses such as desktop PC hardware, maintenance and support costs.
However, as enterprises explore virtual desktop infrastructure solutions (VDI) they are realizing that
virtual machines, hypervisors, and virtual machine management infrastructure are not enough.
There are other technologies required to implement a successful VDI solution.
What other critical components are required for a complete, end-to-end VDI implementation?
NComputing has the answer.

1 http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Virtualization/Virtualization-Management-Software-Market-to-Grow-IDC-Says-519252/

Whitepaper — Enterprise-class desktop virtualization with NComputing 1

NComputing solution—the Last Mile of VDI
NComputing addresses growing enterprise complexity with simplification. The NComputing
solution separates a desktop PC environment from a physical machine to a client/server computing
model. That is, a user’s desktop is hosted remotely and accessed via a thin client device over the
network. A user no longer has a physical PC. To achieve the last mile of success when implementing
VDI, NComputing extends traditional VDI solutions to also include 1) access devices and 2) virtual
desktop management software.
NComputing immediately augments the value of an enterprise’s VDI investment by easily
integrating with ALL traditional VDI vendor solutions including VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft. In
fact, NComputing not only leverages all of the existing benefits of the VDI technology, but also
enhances the value by changing the typical virtual desktop structure from one user, one operating
system (OS), and one virtual machine to thirty users, one operating system, and one virtual
machine. This has a direct, positive impact on operational expenses and immediately lowers
overall desktop PC expenses such as support, maintenance, and desktop replacement.

Figure 1: 300,000 managed operating systems and devices can be reduced to 10,000 operating systems and
devices using vSpace

10,000 vSpace
300,000 traditional operating systems to maintain operating systems to maintain

The following is a detailed overview of NComputing’s vSpace management software and access
devices.

NComputing vSpace management software

With vSpace, enterprises can optimize virtual desktop deployments by providing multiple end
users simultaneous access to a single operating system instance of either Windows or Linux. vSpace
divides the computer’s resources into independent virtual workspaces that give each user their
own rich PC experience. vSpace handles the desktop display and remote activities from the user’s
keyboard and mouse (through the access device).

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 Figure 2: vSpace server groups provide load balancing and hot spare back-ups for disaster recovery

In short, vSpace augments a traditional VDI deployment by providing the following additional
benefits:
• Centralized end-user management – The vSpace management console allows an IT administrator
to set up, configure, and manage shared computers and access devices. The administration
console allows an administrator to remotely monitor and, if necessary, control a user’s session.
Access device settings can be configured centrally from the administrator console, including the
ability to lock out connection of USB devices. The vSpace console also lets administrators assign
host computer USB ports to individual users. The vSpace console is easy to use and requires no
special training.
• Optimized bandwidth – Since typical processor utilization for productivity applications (e.g.,
Microsoft Office) is only about 1-10% of the processor’s bandwidth, each individual OS powered
by vSpace can support up to 30 users performing typical office tasks such as typing reports,
entering spreadsheet data, or preparing presentations.
• Broad multimedia support – NComputing developed its unique User eXtension Protocol (UXP) for
continuous use by end users demanding a full PC experience. As a result, multimedia applications
including streaming video, Flash, and 3D graphics can be supported.
• Broad peripheral support – Unlike traditional thin-client solutions, the vSpace software can
manage a wide range of peripherals from speakers and microphones to USB storage devices and
printers. By leveraging the native device drivers loaded onto the host system, NComputing virtual
desktops never require specialized management to extend peripheral functionality out to each
user.

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NComputing access device
The NComputing access devices do not use PC-based processors or chipsets and do not run a local
operating system. All of the primary functionality is integrated into a single chip that has an
optimal set of resources for working with the NComputing virtualization software and extension
protocol. This System-on-Chip (SoC) contains patented technologies for delivering unmatched
performance from a very low-power device. The device also contains DRAM used to perform local
screen display.

Figure 3: The NComputing L300 access device

provides broad peripheral support

The SoC in the access device executes several processes including boot management, initialization,
network connection, protocol decoding, bitmap cache acceleration, and administration. This
approach results in access devices with very low power requirements (less than 5 watts). This
enables significant power savings when compared to individual PCs that draw over 100 watts each.
In short, vSpace augments a traditional VDI deployment by providing the following additional
benefits:
• Increased security – Since the NComputing is a stateless device, that is all user, application,
platform and storage data is stored remotely, the loss or theft of the access device poses little risk
to an enterprise.
• Simplified support & maintenance – Virtual desktops are much easier to access, patch update and
maintain than a traditional desktop PC. IT administrators have 24 x 7 access to the virtual desktop
environment and can easily and quickly monitor, back up, recover, patch, or upgrade a virtual
desktop environment. In addition, since the vSpace software optimizes an individual operating
system so that it can be shared by up to thirty users, the IT administrator now can reduce the
number of operating systems to maintain by up to 97%.
• Reduced hardware costs – Each access device can be purchased for under $100. Also, since the
devices don’t have any moving parts, their expected lifetime is typically twice as long as desktops
PC (6 years versus 3 years).
• Reduced utility costs – The energy usage per device is much lower than that of a desktop PC,
leading to reduced utility bills. Since each device draws less than 5 watts, enterprises can reduce
their energy footprints by as much as 90% per user. In fact, access devices have such a small
energy footprint that enterprises get the additional benefit of leveraging electrical utility rebates
to save money.

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The remainder of this white paper focuses on how to best leverage the combined power of
traditional VDI technologies with NComputing’s cutting-edge access device and vSpace software
technologies. The solutions outlined below describe repeatable, scalable, and affordable VDI
infrastructure options for the enterprise. Each solution deployment emphasizes simplicity over
complexity and ensures you don’t deploy more than you need.

Common VDI deployment architectures

Express Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Description: Express Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) deployments focus on PC replacement
and distributed virtual desktop environments in regional datacenters and server rooms. This allows
enterprises to ensure that desktop virtualization is an appropriate solution for end users without
requiring expensive VDI management infrastructure investments, network bandwidth upgrades,
and Storage Area Network (SAN) upgrades.
Use case: small regional deployments / proof of concept / evaluation
VDI Express deployments are the perfect starting point for exploring desktop virtualization.
This deployment model does not require hypervisors, virtual machines, or VDI infrastructure
management tools. It simply requires the NComputing vSpace software and access devices. Since
this type of deployment does rely on centralized VDI management infrastructure, it is best suited
for small regional or local deployments that are locally managed. This model is also a useful
starting point for proof-of-concept or enterprise evaluations. It allows an enterprise to explore
virtual desktops as good options for end users with minimal investment.

Figure 4A: The NComputing Express VDI

deployment architecture

NComputing
vSpace desktop
access devices
management

Switched
network

Core value:
The core value of a VDI Express deployment is that it is simple, fast and affordable. There is very
little overhead for an enterprise IT department to implement a VDI Express solution, and key
benefits, such as lowering IT department operational expenses, can be realized very quickly. This
solution also allows an enterprise to experiment with virtual desktops without taking on significant
investment/project risk.

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 Figure 4B: Simplicity is the core
value of the NComputing Session Management:
vSpace allows for simultaneous
Express VDI deployment user sessions.
architecture

vSpace Desktop Management:

Set up, configure, and manage
shared computers and access
devices.

Operating System:
vSpace allows 30 users to share OS.
Supports Windows or Linux.

Enhanced virtual desktop infrastructure deployment

Description: Enhanced virtual desktop infrastructure deployments unleash the power of a complete
end-to-end VDI solution. It provides an enterprise with all the technology components needed
for successful VDI including a hypervisor, virtual machine (VM), VM infrastructure management
software, operating system desktop virtualization management software, and access devices. This
deployment scenario is the most flexible and allows an organization to centralize the management
of their VM infrastructure, while deploying powerful solutions to a broad array of enterprise end-
users.
Use case: medium & large scale VDI deployments
Enhanced VDI deployments target medium and large desktop virtualization deployments.
The enterprise implementing this type of scenario typically has virtualization management
infrastructure from a virtualization server management vendor such as VMware, Citrix, or
Microsoft. This scenario focuses on the enterprise that wants to deploy virtual desktops to a
large number of users, but also wants the centralized management infrastructure needed to
automatically provision, manage, and monitor virtual machine environments.

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 Figure 5A: The Enhanced VDI Deployment Architecture NComputing
integrates with all VDI infrastructure access devices

vSpace desktop
management

Virtual machine
& hypervisor Switched
network

Core value:
The core value of this scenario is the ability to deploy an end-to-end centralized desktop
virtualization solution. Using NComputing’s vSpace software, enterprises can optimize virtual
desktop deployments by providing multiple end users with simultaneous access to a single
operating system instance of either Windows or Linux. In addition, this deployment architecture is
heterogeneous and runs on Windows and Linux platforms. Finally, this deployment model provides
the best price-to-performance ratio by significantly lowering traditional IT operational expenses
associated with desktop PCs.

Figure 5B: The Enhanced VDI Deployment Architecture

creates a one to many operating vSpace Desktop Management:
Set up, configure, and manage
system to user ratio
shared computers and access
devices.

Virtual Machine:
vSpace works with any
virtual machine including
VMware, Citrix, and
Microsoft.

Operating System:
vSpace allows 30 users to
share OS. Supports Windows
or Linux.

Hypervisor:
Allows multiple operating
systems to run concurrently
on a host computer.

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NComputing integration with VMware View
Description: Many organizations are using VMware infrastructure to deliver desktops as a managed
service. This allows enterprises to deliver virtual desktops through a centralized management
console for rapid provisioning of virtual desktops across the datacenter. This deployment
architecture outlines how to
implement NComputing’s access devices with VMware View for one-to-one desktop virtualization.
Use case:
This deployment approach targets enterprises that have licensed VMWare View and are using it,
along with VMware’s vManage, to auto-provision virtual machines on the fly.
Core value:
The core value of this scenario is the ability to leverage View as an abstraction layer between
NComputing’s access device and the VMware and NComputing infrastructure. With the help of
View, NComputing’s vSpace software can find each end user’s virtual desktop, regardless of where
it is running the datacenter. In short, an enterprise that wants the combined power of NComputing
hardware with VMWare infrastructure has a nicely integrated offering. It is important to note,
however, that this scenario provides one-to-one desktop virtualization ratio rather than one-to-
many desktop virtualization ratio (as shown in the Enhanced VDI deployment architecture). That is,
this deployment architectures requires that each individual user has a standalone virtual desktop,
operating system, and virtual machine.

Figure 6A: Integrate VMware View with

NComputing vSpace desktop
management and
access devices

VMware View:
Acts as abstraction layer between
access device and infrastructure.
Allows client to find end-user
virtual desktop as it is
reprovisioned / relocated.

Citrix server farm with NComputing deployment

Description: Many organizations have Citrix server farms deployed across their datacenter. These
solutions are complex, costly, and are particularly burdensome when it comes to desktop PC
maintenance, due to the fact that each desktop PC requires locally managed client software to
access the Citrix-enabled applications. This deployment focuses on addressing this challenge by
providing access devices for Citrix-enabled applications.
Use case:
This deployment approach targets enterprises that want to reduce operational expenses associated
with Citrix server farms and eliminate maintenance time and costs associated with deploying Citrix
client applications to every desktop PC.

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 Figure 7A: Integrate Citirix server farms
with NComputing vSpace desktop
management and access devices vSpace desktop
management +
Citrix receiver
NComputing
Citrix server farm access devices

Switched network

Core value:
The core value of this scenario is the ability to replace end-user desktop PCs with inexpensive
access devices to access Citrix-enabled applications. The performance demands required to access
Citrix-enabled applications often leads to enterprises having to invest in high-end, expensive thin
clients for a successful solution. However, running the Citrix receiver on a remotely managed server
appliance with NComputing’s vSpace software maximizes performance and enables each user to
have a desktop PC experience on an access device. In short, this solution eliminates the need to
deploy local Citrix client applications on each desktop, avoids having to invest in high-end thin
client devices, and delivers a high performance end user experience via a device.

Figure 7B: NComputing eliminates

Session Management:
the need to deploy Citrix clients to vSpace allows for simultaneous
every desktop user sessions.

vSpace Desktop Management:

Set up, configure, and manage
shared computers and
access devices.

Citrix Receiver:
vSpace eliminates need to deploy
Citrix Receiver on every desktop.

Operating System:
vSpace allows 30 users to share OS.
Supports Windows or Linux.

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Conclusion
As enterprise IT departments shift their focus from server consolidation to desktop
virtualization, they can rest assured that end-to-end virtual desktop infrastructure solutions
have matured. Corporations worldwide are turning to NComputing for proven virtualization
solutions that are optimized for large scale use. NComputing, the global leader in virtual
desktop computing, transforms corporate IT to redefine the economics of desktop computing.

Talk to us today
Learn more about enterprise-class virtual desktop infrastructure solutions from NComputing.
Go to ncomputing.com or call for more information.

About NComputing
NComputing, Inc. is the fastest growing desktop virtualization company in the world with over
20 million daily users in 140 countries. The company’s award-winning, patented technology
lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both energy
consumption and e-waste. It is the perfect solution for leveraging the power and potential
of PCs and cloud computing.
The NComputing solution takes advantage of the fact that today’s PCs are so powerful that
the vast majority of users only need a small fraction of the computing capacity. NComputing
taps this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneously shared by many users. Each user’s
monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected to a small and highly reliable NComputing
thin-client device, which is then connected to the shared PC. NComputing’s award-winning
vSpace desktop virtualization software provides each user with a rich multimedia computing
experience and their own computing session.

©Copyright 2003-2010. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trademarks and trade
names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to change without notice. Performance may vary, depending on
the configuration of the shared computer.

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WHITEPAPER enterprise VDI REV1