Last month we explored the five ways dynamic desktops outperform traditional PCs. By breaking the tight coupling between hardware, OS and applications, dynamic desktops separate where the desktop is used from where it runs.

In other words, with Citrix Desktop Server, users have the experience of a complete desktop—including interacting with the local computer and using attached peripherals—while their entire environment lives on a server in the data center.

This issue, we look at the three types of desktop users, and how to choose the right delivery option for each.

What’s In The Stack
We’re using the term “dynamic desktop” a lot, so let’s define it.  Dynamic desktops are simply virtual desktops with all the functionality of traditional PC desktops. In the familiar hardware/OS/app stack, you’ll find the PC at the bottom, with the OS sitting on the PC and applications installed on the PC’s operating system. They are tightly coupled, which means higher costs and greatly reduced flexibility.

The dynamic desktop stack is different—it has the same components, but since everything is uncoupled, you can dynamically match users with the right combination of hardware, OS and applications. It looks a little something like this:

Uncoupling components in the stack means more options—but with flexibility comes trade-offs.

Dynamic Desktop Choices—And Trade-Offs
When deciding to centralize their desktop environments, most organizations find that their users don’t all fit into a single profile. Typically, they have a blend of three types of users: workers who perform routine tasks using a limited range of applications; workers who require a flexible desktop that can be personalized; and workers who perform compute-intensive work and switch among many applications. Only Citrix provides a single desktop virtualization solution that enables delivery of three types of desktops, enabling IT to deliver the right desktop to the right user at the right cost.

To determine the best desktop for each user, it helps to understand the three types: server-based desktops, virtual machine-based desktops, and blade-based desktops. Differences among them include data center platform (server machine, virtual machine, blade) and operating system (Windows Server OS, XP, Vista).

Desktop Server supports all three delivery models, but there are key differences across the three solutions. Consider the following factors when planning the right mix for your organization:

Server-based Desktops (Simple)
Typically shared by hundreds of users, the Terminal Services–published desktop is hosted on a Windows Server, running the Server version of the Windows operating system. It’s ideal for a large group of call-center, clerical, branch-office or retail employees who all share a similar desktop environment with a limited number of applications and need a cost-effective, easy-to-use desktop solution. Terminal Services requires specialized software infrastructure and associated competencies. However, because there are many users connecting to one server, this model offers the best savings—up to 40 percent of traditionally deployed desktops—and provides the best scalability.
Server-based desktops are optimized for TCO.

VM-based Desktops (Personal)
Typically shared by several users, virtual machine desktops are ideal for marketing, financial and other office-based or offshore workers who use a wide variety of applications and want a highly personal desktop that can be easily customized. This type of desktop is based on the standard desktop version of the Windows operating system running within a virtual machine and many of these virtual machines run simultaneously on any given server. Though VM management requires specialized software infrastructure and the associated competencies, virtual machine desktops offer a reasonable amount of isolation and scalability. There are savings over traditional desktops, but the primary benefits are the improved management of centrally delivered desktops.
Virtual machine-based desktops are optimized for personalization by the end user.

Blade Desktops (Powerful)
Blade-based desktops are always dedicated, and each user has a hosted Windows XP or Vista environment running on a standalone PC blade. Ideal for engineers and designers, who use compute-intensive applications and require desktops with maximum performance, blade desktops are close to traditional PCs and companies can leverage their existing IT staffs with minor changes. Blade PCs provide the best isolation and performance.
Blade-based desktops are optimized for power.

Thinking About Dynamic Desktops? Consider This.
Citrix has long provided remote access to virtual desktops—Citrix Presentation Server is already used to publish server-based desktops. A purpose-built desktop virtualization solution is a natural extension of Citrix’s market-leading business, and a key component in the overall Citrix application delivery infrastructure. Citrix has launched a Dynamic Desktop Initiative to make it easy for businesses to accelerate the adoption of dynamic desktops. IBM, HP, and VMware—among others—have already joined the collaboration, and new partners continue to sign up as dynamic desktops build momentum.

Learn more about Desktop Server and Citrix’s leadership in virtualization technologies and the Dynamic Desktop Initiative.


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