It is difficult to fully deploy VDI. The current alternative solution is recommended.

If you still want to solve desktop maintenance costs and problems through virtual desktop (VDI), you may have to wait for a long time, because VDI is expensive and cannot meet local desktop performance standards. Of course, we believe that centralized Desktop Management will bring many benefits, but the actual deployment cost is indeed too high. Before the maturity of VDI technology, five alternative solutions can be considered.

　1. Wanova

The Wanova solution may surprise you with its simplicity. With it, you can set a golden background image for your desktop OS, and any other desktop device can use this image, including a desktop or laptop, regardless of brand or model. To collect drivers from various computers, you only need to install the Wanova desktop proxy software on one machine.

For desktop background and traditional computer backup, if you do not like cloud storage, you can also choose to use your own data center. Cloud storage is not necessary. The Wanova software can use a proxy to delete all duplicate files connected to the system. You only need to store Windows and Microsoft Office with a single copy, any software with a single copy, and any shared files with a single copy. The cost saved by storage alone is enough to pay for this solution, and you will save the trouble of deploying a VDI environment.

A single copy of Windows means that only one copy of Windows needs to be patched, upgraded, and deployed. This is also true for any software. For example, if you want to deploy a new version of Visio and upgrade this single copy, the copies in the workstation will be automatically synchronized without the intervention of administrators or users. Once you have experienced the Wanova solution, you will understand why it is called Wanova, because Wanova is magic in the swash language.

2. Remote Desktop Service (Windows Terminal Service)

When you tap into the alternative VDI solution, Windows introduces a built-in solution: Remote Desktop service. It depends on Microsoft's license agreement. In comparison, this solution should be the cheapest of all. It only requires the RDS client license and the access permission of the Connected Server Client. RDS,

Even between $ and $ per client, it is significantly lower than the price of VDI solutions of the same level. The desktop service solution enables efficient and high availability in performance, IT, and management by centrally managing data storage, software, and backup.

The magic of this solution is that users can enjoy a real local desktop experience without connecting to RDS, while VDI only provides a connection solution.

3. Containers

Container virtualization is a new concept for many IT experts and executives. This type of virtualization creates several virtual machines similar to independent computers in the operating system. For Container virtualization, restarting a Container, installing software on a Container, or assigning Container to a user does not affect the running of the host system.

Traditionally, UNIX and Linux systems use Container, also known as grids or zones, to isolate each other in hosts. Parallels has promoted this technology on Windows. The Container version of Parallels is called a Virtual Private Service (VPS), which is similar to the Container version in UNIX and Linux.

Because the system density of each host is very high, Container virtualization is a very cost-effective method. The host considers every Container as a separate process. When you purchase VPS from your ISP, you may use a Parallels Container. In terms of price, you will find that this is a very economical technology.

4. Citrix XenApp

With XenApp, you can set a universal desktop for each user and use Citrix's application virtualization solution to meet different user needs. If the user's desktop hardware fails, or the operating system is paralyzed by viruses, malware, or other software attacks, the desktop maintenance personnel can quickly recover or reconstruct the user. The user experience no longer depends on the operating system, but on the application she uses.

In addition, Citrix provides XenApp client software for almost all computing platforms, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, desktops, servers, and a variety of operating systems. In terms of user experience, XenApp is not only in the traditional PC mode, but also any device that the user can handle.

5.2X Computing

2X Computing is a cheaper solution than Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop desktop applications. 2X supports various client operating systems, platforms, and devices, including thin clients.