Justification for New Hardware for Windows 8,1 - Research Proposal Example

Desktop Migration Proposal Justification for New Hardware for Windows 8 According to Microsoft, new hardware will be required in order to run Windows 8.1. Unlike previous Windows operating systems that required minimal hardware updates, running Windows 8.1 will require a 1 GHz or a faster processor. The processor should be able to support Physical Address Extension (PAE), Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2) and NX processor bit (NX). PAE allows 32-bit processors to use physical memory of 4 GB or more only on versions of Windows that are capable. This is also a prerequisite for supporting NX. NX guards the PC from any security threats such as malicious attacks by malware. SSE2 is mostly used by drivers and apps developed by third parties and comprises of standard instructions that are set on a processor. A PC that has no support for NX, PAE and SSE2 cannot install and run Windows 8.1. Microsoft allows users know whether their PCs can support Windows 8.1 or not immediately after downloading it or asking for an update from their store (Moeller 57). The PC must also have a RAM of 1 gigabyte for 32-bit or 2 gigabyte for a 64-bit computer. This allows the PC executes programs faster without the need to swap in between programs. It supports third party programs such as the 3D functionalities and high definition games. Disk volume required is 20 GB for 64-bit and 16 GB for 32-bit system. The graphics card requirement for Windows 8.1 is the Microsoft DirectX 9 device that has WDDM driver. This is important for the system to run optimally and support some programs and games (Moeller 55). Additional requirements are mandatory for the operating system’s certain features to work. To use touch functionality supported by Windows 8.1, a monitor or a tablet that can support multi-touch is necessary. Windows 8.1 requires high responsiveness, unlike its predecessors. Therefore, a device designed for this operating system will work and provide a better working environment and the hardware must be certified for Windows 8.1. The device also required to have a screen resolution not less than 1024 x 768 and an internet connection that is active in order to access and download applications from the store (Pogue 844). To record and playback TV in Windows Media Centre, a TV tuner is required. Running Miracast requires a display adapter and should support Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.3. A Wi-Fi adapter supporting Wi-Fi Direct is also required to run the program. To install the 64-bit operating system on the 64-bit PC, the processor should support PrefetchW, CMPXCHG16b, and LAHF/SAHF 1 (Moeller 47). Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 8.1 Microsoft already having terminated its support for Microsoft XP OS; urgency is growing to migrate from the operating system to Windows 8.1. Three factors are contributing to the growing risk associated with continued use of Microsoft XP OS. These are compliance, security and rising level of complexity. The plan to migrate from Windows XP to Windows 8.1 OS has taken into consideration three factors in determining the most appropriate route to follow (Pogue 857). The most effective means of upgrading OS for a company is through first: analysing the current state and compatibility, plan by conducting tests and also develop user technical abilities, deliver by deploying in the stages and optimizing the project throughout all the phases as in the diagram below. Diagram 1. Showing stages to be followed in upgrading the company’s OS With Microsoft ending support for the operating system, security updates previously disseminated to users will cease. This means that PCs will be left susceptible to zero day threats. An organisations online support system or even intellectual property can be compromised within a day. Company auditors will also call for compliance with new PC security measures that are supported. Failure to comply with the new guidelines may result in future business loss. Also, the end of support for Microsoft XP will also trigger numerous downstream problems rather than compliance and security. This shall trigger in many third parties deals that will eventually result in a fall out of the OS compatibility (Moeller 49). The current desktops used by the company and running on Microsoft OS are incompatible with Microsoft 8.1 OS. Hence, the most cost effective means to upgrade the operating system is through desktop virtualization. The current PCs will be converted and used as VM desktops. Afterwards, data on the end user point PCs will be captured manually and will include company and individual data. The company employees using these PCs will be profiled in order to segment them. Segmentation will be based on their habits and requirements as guest workers; task workers WAN-based office workers and LAN-based office workers. Each of the segments will be aligned to the most appropriate virtual modalities so as to meet their specific needs (Moeller 57). The endpoints will also be assessed to assess if the PCs can be used after migration. Current application used by the employees will also be profiled in order to determine the best way to have them integrated into Windows 8.1. The workload of every employee will also be determined so as to allocate adequate memory, processor and graphic requirements. Users need to customise their sessions will also be taken into account and user installed applications will not be allowed. A static IP address will be given to individual end points. Redundant applications on the endpoints will be eliminated taking care not to remove any essential software needed by the employees and the business owners. Application compatibility will be addressed by first migrating of application that will work on the desktop virtualization. In a parallel session, all the incompatible applications will be addressed using AppDNA and flagged for replacement (Pogue 854). Plan for Migration from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 Computers are currently running on Windows seven meet the minimum requirements to run on Window 8.1. Most of the software already installed and running in these computers will most likely run on Windows 8.1. The first step will involve establishing all the software being used by the employees. If the software is not standardized for all the employees, the survey will be carried out on all users so as to determine what programs are being used. Their Compatibility will be checked by running Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant or checking the Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 Compatibility Centre. Any programs that run on Windows XP will have to be upgraded as they are incompatible with Windows 8.1 (Moeller 49). Upgrading the 300 computers currently running on Window 7 to run on Windows 8.1, desktop virtualization is a preferable transformation mode than an upgrade over an internet connection. Virtualization will enable the company saves on upgrade fee and minimise productivity loss. Also, the corporate standards will be maintained and at the same time have productive end users. Time spent by the IT department to fix bugs and security breaches on the employee computers will be minimised since it will not be possible for them to download unapproved plug-ins and other programs. Implementation of converting the computers into end point VM desktops will start with prioritizing the business initiatives (Moeller 53). Employees unique needs will be identified as well as the tasks they perform. Individual and company data stored in these computers will be captured manually. The environment under which the employees work will be analysed and the users segmented as being task workers, remote workers or guest workers. Each of the identified groups will be aligned to the most appropriate desktop for them. Every user’s workload will be determined in order to assign them with enough space and programs to use. All the applications not used by the business will be removed, and AppDNA installed in order to run all incompatible programs (Pogue 851). How to Minimise the Downtime for End Users Training of the company employees will be done for three days after upgrading to Windows 8.1. The training will focus on the basics such as connecting the VM desktop to file shares, how to find the start up button, how to move around the desktop icons and how to start up applications. All queries and concerns from the employees will be answered, and improvements made so as to suite every employee experience (Pogue 850). Time loss also results from the inability of the employees to transfer their captured data, file and settings from the end points to the server. Some also fail to trace locations where they have saved data from their previous assignments on the computer. A pilot study involving the IT department is most appropriate as it will equip them will skills to support the other company employees. It will also help in managing unforeseen issues such as malfunctioning of the systems (Moeller 53). Efficient Method for Migration to Windows 8.1 Most efficient method for a company to migrate to Windows 8.1 is through desktop virtualisation. It is faster and cheaper than upgrading from a disk. This is because this method need only one server to be upgraded to Windows 8.1 and the VM end points will run on an image generated by the server. Enterprise mobility will also be addressed through desktop virtualisation. Applications and desktops will be made available to the end user through FlexCast technology and Citrix XenDesktop (Moeller 51). Users will also access any application from the server, and this includes even application that ran on Windows XP only. Applications that need replacement or remediation can be identified by AppDNA that can be dealt with in accordance with the company’s priorities. The chance to deliver the application to the end user at anytime and anywhere depending on the demand makes this method appropriate. More so, this process minimises the possibility of security and integrity of the computer systems to be compromised, and this makes desktop virtualisation most appropriate method of migration to Windows 8.1(Moeller 50). Appropriate Tablet That End Users Can Use Several factors will determine the choice for the most appropriate tablet for the company’s employees. These are the boot time of the device, lux (display brightness), heating at the bottom, audio test; files transfer speed and the longevity of the battery. Based on these factors, the Microsoft Pro two retailing at $999.99 is the most appropriate device for the employees. It features a black, elegant magnesium alloy build that has rounded corners. Screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 with vivid colours and the touch screen responds to gestures like edge swiping, pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling. The icons have also been increased as compared to its predecessor and the brightness is at 389 lux as compared to other competitive tablets such as Sony VAIO Tap at 359 lux (Newman 1). Table 1. Showing Microsoft Pro 2 full specifications as compared to other competitive brands Works Cited Newman, Jarred. Times Magazine. Compared: Microsoft’s New Surface Tablets vs. Apple’s iPad. 23 Sep. 2013. Available at http://techland.time.com/2013/09/23/microsofts-new-surface-tablets-vs-apples-ipad-specs-apps-and-price/ Pogue, David. Windows 8.1: The Missing Manual. New York: OReilly Media, Inc, 2013. Moeller, Jonathan. Windows 8.1: 101 Tips & Tricks. Mankato: Azure Flame Media, LLC, 2014. Read More