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Desktop virtualization is the concept of detaching the environment of a personal computer desktop from the physical machine. Hence, instead of using physical machines users operate virtual machines to access their desktops. Desktop virtualization works on the principle of client-server model of computing. The client-server model of computing is a distributed application where the client communicates with the server for exchanging information. In short, this mechanism allows different computers to work together on a single computing task. A perfect example of client-server model of computing is users trying to access banking services from their individual computers.

In today’s business environment, virtual desktop solutions are a must. The ever-increasing cost of desktop management is forcing more and more companies to adopt virtual desktop solutions. The cost of supporting desktops increases due to many factors. Some of these factors are given below:

• Registry bloat

It refers to those unnecessary and unwanted data that bloat the registry. These data serve no purpose other than to slow down the machine, interfere with normal operations, cause malfunctions or make the system crash.

• Improperly uninstalled applications

When applications are uninstalled it is not always necessary that all the components of the application are removed.  This can lead to problems causing the system to crash.

• Driver conflicts

Driver conflicts occur when two devices require the same resource or input/output address to operate.

• Conflicting applications

Certain applications when installed may prevent the successful installation of other applications. The virtual desktop solutions adopted by the IT industry can be categorized into client hosted virtual desktops and server hosted virtual desktops.

• Client Hosted Virtual Desktops

The client hosted virtual desktops require hypervisor to perform. The hypervisors are software systems that are positioned between the operating system and the PC hardware. The hypervisor facilitates the sharing of hardware resources such as CPU, RAM, Disk etc between multiple environments. Since the hypervisor runs locally on the PC’ hardware, the client hosted virtual desktops can be taken offline from the network.

• Server Hosted Virtual Desktops

The server hosted virtual desktops depend on servers in the datacenter to execute the operating system. The virtual environment runs on the server. Unlike the client hosted virtual desktops it requires a network connection to access the virtual desktops. Since no processing occurs on PC, the machine can be anything with minimal resources. Hence, in the case of server hosted virtual desktops the user can work with a thin client to access the virtual desktop.

Though server hosted virtual desktops are found in most companies, client hosted virtual desktops are slowly becoming prevalent. There are several desktop virtualization solution providers that deliver a reliable and scalable centralized desktop management platform and let enterprises swiftly and efficiently create, manage, streamline, and deliver securely the lifecycle of virtual workspaces.