Modernize your network with VDI or RDS
Migrating to a virtualized network solution is a smart move for any company looking to update the way they operate, but how do you decide which method is right for you? When choosing between a Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or Remote Desktop Service (RDS), you need to gather as much information as possible to determine which service aligns the closest with what you’re trying to accomplish. Desktop virtualization can offer several benefits, including resource optimization, comprehensive mobile device management, and increasing performance standards. We’ve outlined what makes both VDI and RDS unique, and what sets them apart for scalability, user experience, security, and more.
VDI: What You Need to Know
VDI runs user desktops inside virtual machines that are hosted by data center servers as opposed to a localized server. Although the interaction feels the same (it has the same look and feel of a physical server, for the most part), a virtual desktop can seamlessly link several machines without having to rely on a local server. Each user is allotted a dedicated virtual machine that runs a unique operating system, providing an isolated, secure environment for the user. Benefits of VDI include:
- Install or uninstall applications with full or partial administration rights within the virtual machine
- Purposefully manage critical and confidential data
- Adequately support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives and improve workforce mobility
- Improve support and troubleshooting for end users
- Centralize management, redundant backups, and improve disaster recovery
- Reduce data security threats by relying on data centers and remote servers
- Optimal virus isolation and detection
- Seamless risk mitigation
- Consolidation and security of valuable assets without limiting access for authorized users
RDS: What You Need to Know
RDS allows users to connect remotely to a network with a user-friendly graphic interface. After an RDS is installed for the user, server software is installed on the server, establishing a remote connection with one or more users. Users access the same OS and applications during their desktop sessions. Advantages of RDS include:
- Effective disaster recovery: documents and files are all backed up and stored in a secure data center
- Optimal remote access
- Cost-effective solutions, with minimal add-ons required for an effective solution
- Can achieve 100%-200% higher user numbers with the same hardware, reducing deployment costs by a significant margin
- Simple, effective multi-user integration options
Which one offers a better user experience for your network?
Choosing the right virtualized platform is a critical step for any company. It comes down to one, overarching idea: which one offers the most value for your company and fits the best given what you want to accomplish? An RDS makes sense if you’re catering to a large number of users using the same application; VDI offers better options for companies looking to coordinate different users across several different applications. While they both provide advantages for great user experience, one of them is bound to align more closely with your technology strategy. For more information on how virtualization can help your network, reach out to Hi-Tek today.
