Virtualization has moved rapidly beyond the datacenter and now encompasses all aspects of an organization's IT footprint. By leveraging server virtualization, desktop virtualization is proving highly effective in lowering costs and increasing IT efficiency and agility. Over 500 million virtual desktops are installed in corporations worldwide, and there appears to be no end to the amount of consolidation and cost savings that desktop virtualization can bring. VDI, one of the desktop virtualization  delivery models supported by Citrix XenDesktop, is the leading desktop virtualization solution and is being rapidly implemented by organizations of all sizes.

XenDesktop installations running on XenServer establish a  virtual desktop solution that meets all desktop virtualization implementation goals. Maximizing the user experience while increasing virtual machine (VM) density per server and decreasing network and storage volume traffic, XenServer delivers the lowest total cost of ownership with best-in-class performance and capabilities. XenServer is the clear choice for XenDesktop VDI desktop virtualization workloads.

Maximize Density

Using XenServer as the foundation of a XenDesktop VDI implementation delivers best in class VM densities by sharing unused server memory between VMs. This not only reduces costs by enabling a greater number of VMs per server host, but also improves application performance. XenServer includes Dynamic Memory Control to provide controls to set a protocol for the optimal use of host memory.

Streamline Storage Infrastructure

XenServer with IntelliCache reduces storage network requirements by utilizing local storage for boot images and non-persistent data. This translates into lower capital expense for storage infrastructure and lower operational costs, which increases the return on the VDI desktop virtualization investment. XenServer is the first hypervisor to provide local storage caching as a means to accelerate virtual desktop performance and reduce VDI costs.

Manage and Protect

XenServer features Distributed Virtual Switching which allows IT administrators to create a multi-tenant, highly secure and extremely flexible network fabric that allows them to move VMs freely within the network. Administrators can monitor VMs to identify network hogs, configure a XenServer-provided firewall to control network port access, and receive real-time network traffic statistics to maintain security and control of a VDI workload.

Leverage your IT dollar

XenServer is included in every purchase of XenDesktop. Getting these two products together leverages the resources of an entire virtual solution that is conceived, developed, built and supported by a single vendor. Getting XenServer free with XenDesktop further lowers the total cost of ownership.

Download the white paper, Better Virtualization of XenApp and XenDesktop with XenServer