Does Hypervisor in DV Address Customer Requirements, or Is It Just Hype?
A hypervisor is a virtualization platform that runs multiple operating systems on a host computer. It is also called a Virtual Machine Monitor, or VMM, and monitors the functioning of guest operating systems. The hypervisor is installed on server hardware that is utilized only for running guest operating systems. The virtual hardware resources are used by multiple operating systems at the same time, and the hypervisor acts as a barrier between the host OS and the virtual machines. This prevents the excessive usage of resources lying in the host OS by each program running on each virtual machine.
The Truth Behind Desktop Virtualization – Is It Hype?
The introduction of desktop virtualization has created a frenzy with its high return value and mobile-centric services and features. Virtual desktop infrastructure, or VDI, is the main component that fulfills the virtualization desktop criteria to make virtual workspace available to users. As each customer has his own unique business requirements, management of virtualized desktop environments is varied. The setting in a small business setup will be quite different from that of a multi-national or a medical facility, depending on the nature of the business.
VDI is suited for those who work in shifts or for contractors. For the regular office employee though, it has been found to be more costly than a traditional PC environment.
- VDI does reduce the cost of hardware but raises the cost of software applications added to the data center.
- VDI aids in the reduction of helpdesk costs because troubleshooting efforts are down-sized. On the other hand, it increases the cost for the expertise and virtualization resources acquired for managing the virtualization environment. Thus it is on par with the IT operations cost.
- Users who migrated from the PC to the VDI were not provided with a completely satisfying experience.
The Hypervisor Conundrum
VDI has not displayed remarkable results for all clients because the user experience and the performance of the applications are dependent on network connectivity. In a typical workspace virtualization setting the user is able to execute the virtual desktop, which is running on a central server and not on his personal desktop device. Consequently when the user disconnects, all the work comes to a standstill, and there is no provision for working offline. This is very inconvenient.
The user can alternatively carry a streamed down version of the virtual machine on a hard disk for mobility, but needs a client hypervisor to run the virtual machine on a client device. This is really not an ideal virtual desktop solution. A client hypervisor requires hardware with virtualization capabilities in the CPU and BIOS, especially upgraded RAM. Besides this, it is installed beneath the OS and the distribution systems implemented by the standard software do not support it. So there could be deployment issues, and additional expertise may also be required in the updating process.
Recommended Solution
Desktop virtualization can provide an ideal end-user experience only in flexible and isolated environments where the user can run his personal workspace and manage his applications anywhere anytime. To replace the traditional virtualization procedure, a new desktop virtualization product has been introduced that provides Dynamic Virtual Desktops, or DVDs. It is a client-hosted virtualization platform that delivers optimum virtual desktop solutions anywhere anytime, whether online or offline, providing a true user experience and cost saving benefits.
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