Virtualize Desktop Infrastructure in the Work Environment - Literature review Example

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is the technology where a virtual machine is used to run a desktop operating system. It separates the physical existence of the desktop components and its respective applications as well as users. The software in conjunction with the window based operating systems for a better desktop environment management system. The system enables several users (desktop) to be hosted using remote servers connected to certain networks through a specific protocol. This means that a certain user can access data in the server despite his/her location. This work would focus on the viability of this technology, in terms of the likely group to benefit from it among other important issues. The technology is available since it is offered by several companies in major parts of the world. Virtualization vendors like VMware and Citrix have taken a healthy lead in providing the technology to their regional and international clients. Vendors like Pano Logic as well as Quest Software have a reputable profile as far as the VDI Technology is concerned (Gilam,219). The companies not only do the actual connections but also provide consultancies regarding purchase of large computer storage devices to run on virtual systems (desktops). Furthermore, they partner with mobile devices companies like Nokia, Samsung, LG and Techno among others on how users (tablets and Smartphones) can use such devices to access data stored on a certain desktop. Computer firms like HP, Toshiba, Compaq and Acer also uses this strategies to attract and maintain more customers. Pano Logics came up with ‘a zero client’ processor with no drive but is connected with a mouse, keyboard as well as screen/monitor. The system software like operating system is be installed in a certain server then accessed through a defined network. The company laments that the system is cheap since it requires no memory or storage drive, which essentially is the most expensive part in a computer system. Some companies special computer networks to enable users access the data in the virtual servers. Fujitsu is a technological firm that provides bundles called Fujitsu VDI Bundles. This enables workers switch work places with ease. The network covers a wider region depending on the protocol used. The company has a attractive profile since majority of reputable companies depend on its bundles network for the server virtualization. The company has also partnered with VDI offering companies like Citrix among others. VDI technology is applicable in several companies with a chain of departments and workers. Some of the famous companies or organizations that have already adapted the technology include Microsoft, Caterpillar, Toshiba, Compass group companies, Nike and Nokia among others. The companies share some basic features in common, for instance, they have more departments and employees. Furthermore, they have regional establishes or offices that depend on common server based in the head offices. Some world class learning institutions like Universities and colleges have also adopted technology. But precaution measures must be taken in such cases. Students may use the technology to access some vital confidential information like exams or other related assessments from the main server. There for, learning institutions may have two or more servers where one server to be solely for academic staff or school administration and not be accessed by the students. The technology is also applied in national or state security department. One may be arrested in a different street or state but his/her previous criminal records accessed from the main national server, via the technology. There are a group of individuals who are likely to benefit from the technology. Learning institutions may connect their library system with virtual centric servers then accessed by students and academic staff from their mobile devices like Smartphones, tablets, laptops, personal digital assistances (PDA) and iPhone among others. The students can access academic materials like books, notes, practical manuals and speeches in electronic form. The technology can also enhance distance learning; here the students simply access lecture notes or assignments among other important academic materials. VDI can also blend with other internet tools like Skype and Google hangout for an effective virtual learning process in such institutions. Doctors, nurses, dentist and other medical professional in a certain health care facility can easily access their patients’ records through the technology. Here the facility may have a common centric server where all important data are kept. The medical practitioners may also access past information like the facility’s history, records of chronic patients with ease. Medical information should remain confidential according to the Health Act of the United States; hence the technology would ensure patient records are kept off the public. The technology may ease communication between the medical practitioners, for instance, a dentist may not have to acquire some information with regards to a certain patient from a fellow medical professional. All he/she needs is to access such information from the main server. However, the technology could have some disadvantages when it comes to its application in the health care sector (Rittinghouse, 109). First, some information may have errors as they are entered in the main computer server within the facility. Such errors are likely to compromise the treatment process of the patient in question. Hence it would better if each medical practitioner keeps his her own data, so that should any alteration be experienced, he or she takes full responsibility. Banks’ employees among other financial institutions can also benefit from the VDI. The technology would help accouters retrieve any relevant banking information upon request by their clients, without necessarily leaving their desks to seek such information. They can also pick changes in the exchange stock rates among other rates in a single setting. The technology ensures vital banking information remains secret among top institution leaders or managers. It would be dangerous if every worker is able to carry around vital banking data. Some of the advantages associated with the technology are that it is cost friendly. A company should acquire a single desktop computer with a good operating system and serving several others on a defined network. The system is easy to operate since most of the mobile devices connected to the main server have good user interface through touch screen among other technologies. The technology also offers a better security since the vital company information is stored in a central server. This is really ideal with companies with many departments or sectors where some workers can be paid off to leak certain important company information to its competitors. In this case, the central server is managed by a trusted company worker or employee who decides on sharable information among other departments or employees (Dongmin, 117). The central server also acts like a backup whenever loses such information. The system provide users with pocket friendly and easy ways to deal with malware software like viruses, worms and Trojans among others since the operating system is only installed in a single central server. Furthermore, software maintenance is easy and cheap with the application of the technology. The technology also enhances mobility. On can access data stored in the centric server without necessarily commuting to the main office. This is ideal for out door or field work activities where the employees need to interact with clients in different avenues other than the main office. However, there are some disadvantages with regard to the application of the technology. First, installing the network so that users can access main centric server is costly. Currently there are few companies who offer the networking services. This indicates that the connection is still expensive. The technology may require technological skills that may not be common among workers who are older adults. This might create some sense of technological biases with a certain organization or company, hence compromised work place diversity. The central server needs special maintenance so that other servers can access vital data from it. This means that the entire system would fail should the main centric server be down. In such a scenario, the company or organization is likely to make losses, or if it is in a health care facility, patients might be provided with wrong diagnosis to compromise their treatment process (Zhang, 193). The company may suffer a great deal should its main IT employee responsible for the maintenance and operation of the main server decide to quit a job, be sick or fail to report to work for any kind of reason. The whole system would be lame. Due to this, some reputable companies like Microsoft have spare drives or systems to act like a backup should the main server fail. Furthermore, the companies ensure it got more than one IT specialist to manage and maintain the main centric server. To conclude, the technology implies the use of a single central server with relevant operating system to act as a back up to other systems through a defined network or protocol. The technology is provided by several companies like VMware and Citrix among others. There are other IT firms offering consultancies with regard to the connection, management and application of the technology. The feasibility of the technology is supported by its numerous advantages and wide range of application in the modern society. It is cheap to install and manage, it more convenient due to its flexible nature among other positive attributes. A large pool of people is likely to benefit from the VDI technology. Students would access academic material from a common central server; medical professionals would share health care information from a single server. The VDI technology would also play a great role in the security departments among others areas of application. However, the company has got some disadvantages which might limit its applications, it is expensive to run, and special IT knowledge or experience is required for its application. VDI is currently facing stiff competitions from Daas, NComputing, and Space technology among other cloud based technologies. This indicates that in the near future, digital community will majorly rely in virtual computing technologies in their daily routines. Works Cited Dongmin, K. Virtual Computing. New York: Springer, 2001.Print. Gilam, L. Cloud Computing. New York: Springer, 2010.Print. Rittinghouse, J. Cloud Computing: Management and Implementation. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2009.Print. Zhang, H. Portable virtual computing library. New York: ProQuest, 2008.Print. Read More