Virtualize the terminal system (also called desktop) of the computer, and access the desktop system through any device, at any place, and at any time through the network, so as to achieve the security and flexibility of desktop use. This is desktop virtualization.
Today, more and more enterprises, governments, schools and other institutions have begun to apply desktop virtualization to improve office efficiency and reduce operating costs. So, when enterprises and institutions deploy desktop virtualization, should they choose the IDV architecture or the VDI architecture?
1. Technology categories in
today's desktop virtualization market There are two main types of desktop virtualization technologies today, one is the traditional mainstream VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) technology, that is, virtual desktop infrastructure; the other is the emerging IDV (IDV) technology in recent years. Intelligent Desktop Virtualization) technology, namely intelligent desktop virtualization.
There is also VOI (Virtual OS Infrastructure) technology, although it is not entirely a virtual desktop related technology, but it satisfies those local area network application scenarios that require management and good experience, and has a relatively high market share.
2. Characteristics of the three technical categories
2.1 VDI technology is characterized by "centralized computing and centralized management", which is highly recognized in the field of cloud desktop technology.
2.2 IDV technology is an innovative framework proposed by Intel Corporation, and its technical feature is "distributed computing, centralized management".
2.3 VOI technology directly realizes data redirection to physical storage media at the I/O layer, so that the virtualized operating system can completely work on the local physical hardware. VOI technology redefines the operating system storage layer and is an improved diskless workstation solution. Its biggest feature is centralized management and good performance experience.
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of VDI technology and IDV technology?
3.1 Advantages of VDI technology:
1) Strong mobility.
Mobile desktop is the strongest advantage of VDI desktop. VDI desktops are not restricted by regions, and desktops can follow people. You use the cloud desktop in the office, you can also use your own cloud desktop when you are away on business, and you can also use it at home. In addition, VDI also supports a variety of terminals, such as tablets, mobile phones, thin terminals, PCs, laptops, etc.
2) Comply with the architecture of modern centralized cloud computing.
The maximum utilization of the server is achieved by virtualizing several virtual desktops on one server, and the scalability of desktop users is realized by clustering multiple servers. All desktop data is stored on servers, which are usually deployed in data centers.
3) Centralized management and control.
One administrator can control thousands of cloud desktops. The complex work such as publishing the desktop is completely done by the machine, and the administrator only needs to issue an instruction; in addition, the administrator can also control the peripheral interface of the desktop user, set the whitelist or blacklist, and even when the network is unblocked, it can be used thousands of miles. In addition, logging into the user's desktop remotely solves the problem.
4) High data security. The client of the VDI cloud desktop is only the receiving end of the desktop image, and all data will be saved on the server, that is, the cloud. VDI cloud computing infrastructure has many data protection measures, such as copy technology, EC technology, etc., which can ensure data security and traceability.
3.2 Disadvantages of VDI technology:
1) High construction cost.
VDI desktops need to rely on powerful CPUs and consume a lot of memory, so the cost of server procurement is high. At the same time, users also need to purchase VDI terminals, which is not a small investment.
2) The transition depends on the network environment.
The network requirements of VDI desktops are mainly reflected in bandwidth and latency. When the desktop uses high-definition video experience and 3D applications, it requires higher network bandwidth; in general, the Internet environment is limited by the network delay of the operator, so the VDI desktop experience is inferior to the local area network. In addition, the VDI desktop will not be available after the network is disconnected.
3) The technology is complicated.
VDI technology originates from cloud platform related technologies. For example, VDI is built on the open source openstack, and the openstack cloud platform is already quite complicated. It is a great challenge for managers to build and maintain the VDI desktop.
4) The user experience is poor and the scene is limited.
VDI relies too much on the network, and at the same time, the centralized architecture will greatly affect the user experience in a large-scale user environment. At present, although 3D virtualization technology can solve VDI desktop 3D software and game support, the cost paid by users is much higher than the cost of PC.
3.3 Advantages of IDV technology
1) Distributed virtual desktop technology, the desktop system can theoretically expand infinitely.
IDV takes a distributed approach to meet operational technology needs while centralizing and simplifying management and deployment functions. IDV stores virtual desktops and user data in the terminal, and realizes the security of stored terminal data through complex encryption technology and auxiliary security technology. Thanks to the popular "edge computing" idea, virtual desktops no longer rely on the computing resources of servers, and make full use of the hardware resources of terminals to achieve virtualization. Each terminal is a virtual desktop node, and the desktop system can theoretically expand infinitely.
2) Support offline.
IDV adopts the terminal virtualization technology, and the data is stored in the terminal, which is not affected by the network and can be accessed even if the network is disconnected.
3) The user experience effect is good.
The IDV desktop experience is comparable to the physical terminal device experience, and is close to the local experience effect.
4) Cost controllable.
The main cost of IDV desktop comes from the cost of desktop terminals. The server only controls and manages, and does not need to host desktops. Compared with VDI technology, the cost is greatly reduced.
3.4 Disadvantages of IDV technology:
1) Mobile office is not supported.
The IDV desktop is highly dependent on the terminal. Users are usually bound to the terminal and cannot access the desktop from any location like the VDI desktop.
2) Data security is relatively low.
IDV stores virtual desktops and user data in the terminal, and its security is relatively fragile. Although Intel has used full-disk data encryption technology, isolated virtual machine technology, read-only operating system and locked applications to strengthen security, the technical implementation is too complicated and even affects the experience.
3) The awkward situation of competing with VOI technology.
The application of IDV technology in these scenarios is in a competitive relationship with VOI technology, and it is difficult to clearly describe the advantages of using IDV virtual desktops to users.
4) Maintenance is relatively inconvenient.
The IDV desktop is dependent on the terminal, and high hardware configuration is required to obtain high performance, which puts forward higher requirements on the quality of terminal hardware, and the stability is also a test. In the event of a failure, administrators need to step in to handle the process of restoring desktops and user data. Terminal maintenance is more difficult if the terminal is in a cross-Internet environment.
4. The main factors for enterprises and institutions to consider when choosing desktop virtualization technology
- budget
- security requirements
- Centralized control needs
- mobility needs
- Light or heavy office
If the user is not short of money, pays attention to mobility, lightweight office, and requires security and management at the same time, the VDI solution can be selected. In fact, the current VDI desktops are mostly used in the education industry and ordinary enterprise office environments, that is, lightweight desktop deployment. However, if the user needs a certain degree of management and security for heavy office work or R&D (such as supporting 3D), and the budget investment is not high, then the IDV solution can be adopted.
In fact, most users are faced with a dilemma in the choice of technology. Their ideal goal is: a system to meet the needs of desktop users at different levels, to achieve "saving money, good experience, and mobile support under authorized conditions" office, while having the strongest data security and the best management and maintenance capabilities”. At present, only VDI or IDV solutions cannot meet this need. Only VDI and IDV can truly integrate and learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses.
In other words, the cloud desktop that integrates VDI and IDV is the cloud desktop that users really need, and it is also the future development trend of cloud desktop.
5. What are the cloud desktop vendors that have realized the integration of the two technologies in the market?
At present, most of the market is still based on VDI technology, some manufacturers can achieve VDI and IDV functions in a system, and even have a system to achieve VDI, VOI and IDV functions. However, most manufacturers only implement these functions, and there are few manufacturers that integrate VDI and IDV technologies according to the highest requirements of users. Nanjing Stander Cloud Technology's 3H cloud desktop is one of the manufacturers that truly integrates cloud desktops.
Stander 3H cloud desktop is a desktop star product for industrial manufacturing enterprises and institutions with data security requirements. It has the following three characteristics:
1) 3D cloud desktop is a high experience cloud desktop (High experience). Through the graphics card penetration technology, the powerful graphics processing capability of the graphics card is reflected in the local virtual machine, and the desktop is perfectly presented, so that various 3D applications, 4K videos and large-scale games can be used smoothly. Support common 3D design software, such as UG/NX, Catia, 3DMAX, ProE, AutoCAD and other large design software.
2) Rest assured cloud desktop is a high security cloud desktop (High security). All user data is stored in the cloud, which provides data copy and automatic backup functions to ensure data security and traceability; cloud terminals do not retain user data, USB storage peripherals are controlled, and administrators can authorize; private and shared cloud disks are provided, After the administrator's authorization, the mobile phone and cloud disk can access each other.
3) The convenient cloud desktop is a high convenience cloud desktop. Through VDI and IDV fusion technology, users can have two desktop experiences with one account, namely mobile mode and fixed mode. The desktop mode is automatically switched according to the user's usage scene. When the user is in the office, the system will adopt the fixed mode with the best experience, that is, support 3D cloud desktop. When the user is on business or at home, the system will automatically adjust the user to the mobile mode to support mobile office.