Virtual Remote Desktop
An informative guide on virtual remote desktop and what it means for your organization
Demand for end-user computing (EUC) technology has significantly increased over the past 24 months. As a result, many businesses have turned to cloud client computing and desktop virtualization to meet their organization's EUC needs as they face new challenges implementing initiatives related to remote or hybrid work, hardware updates, reducing their global carbon footprint, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring cyber resilience.
Using remote desktops or virtual desktops is one of the critical decisions administrators must make when establishing a private cloud. Each strategy has specific benefits and drawbacks.
We will discuss virtual remote desktop solutions in this blog and their pluses and minuses.
So, what exactly is a virtual desktop?
A virtual desktop is a software simulation of a hardware device that operates on a real or virtual system at a distant location and is hosted on-site or in the cloud.
End users can access their particular desktop environments remotely across a network thanks to virtual desktops like Azure Virtual Desktop.
The endpoint devices of their choice can also comprise operating systems and apps that are accessed via the client software or a web browser.
A virtual desktop is generally an image of operating systems and apps that have already been configured but are not connected to the end device that is used to access it. Users can access virtual desktops using endpoint devices like laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
The other meaning of virtual desktop has to do with Microsoft Windows. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have a feature that enables you to build an unlimited number of virtual desktops quickly and effortlessly.
You can establish virtual desktops from the "Task View" pane and adjust their appearance. In addition, one can transfer programs between virtual desktops, close pages on particular virtual desktops, or display windows across all of them.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
The term "virtual desktop infrastructure" (also known as "VDI") refers to the utilization of large clusters of virtual machines that run on top of hypervisors. Remote desktop environments are frequently significantly simpler than VDI systems.
A VDI system's administrators oversee massive collections of virtual machines. Additionally, a connection broker is required to match the two virtual machines in the user sessions. Therefore, the connection broker has the potential to become a vulnerability or a massive performance block if it is not implemented appropriately.
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a variant of the client-server model of desktop virtualization in which desktop operating systems run inside a virtual machine, either on-premises or in the public cloud.
Users use VDI to access individual desktops and the applications that reside on them in a one-to-one mapping. However, the Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session version, which is exclusive to Azure and supports multiple concurrent user connections, is an exception.
Various types of Virtual Desktop
Virtual desktops are classified into three types:
- Persistent Virtual Desktop:
Users can access and use their persistent virtual desktop from any location and device with an internet connection. The main advantage of using a persistent virtual desktop is that users' settings, preferences, and files are always accessible, regardless of where or what device they use.
- Non-Persistent Virtual Desktop:
Unlike persistent virtual desktops, non-persistent virtual desktops are only active while the user is logged in. The virtual desktop is destroyed when the user logs out. Non-persistent virtual desktops are frequently used in educational or public settings where maintaining a consistent environment for all users is critical.
- Hybrid Virtual Desktop:
A hybrid virtual desktop combines the benefits of both persistent and non-persistent virtual desktops. Users have their dedicated virtual desktop, but their settings and files are not permanently stored on the desktop.
This type of virtual desktop is frequently used in businesses where users require access to specific applications or data sets that are too large to store on a non-persistent virtual desktop.
Remote virtual desktops have traditionally been delivered using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) as the underlying technology. Multiple remote users connected via a network share a single operating system instance installed on a server.
Virtual applications and desktops are then displayed on client devices through a unique set of data transfer guidelines specified within a remote display protocol. Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is used with RDS to connect to a shared set of remote servers that are based on a constant virtual machine image within one or more resource pools.
What Is RDS (Remote Desktop Service)?
Remote Desktop Services, formerly Terminal Services, is a Microsoft Windows component that allows multiple users to remotely connect to a single Virtual Machine (VM). As a result, these users will share the same operating system (Windows Server) and applications and will technically work on the same machine simultaneously.
Individual users can connect to the virtual machine remotely from any device and application using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and a local RDS buyer on the gadget.
What are the advantages of virtual desktops in the organization?
Virtual desktops have several advantages over physical desktop computers. Virtual desktops can benefit your business in various ways, including increased productivity and cost savings. Continue reading to learn more about the advantages of virtual desktops in the workplace.
- Increased safety
Virtual desktops can also help businesses improve their security. Companies can help ensure the confidentiality of confidential information by separating business data and applications from employee data and applications. Because the desktop can be easily updated to protect against new threats, a VDI can also help protect businesses from malware and other online threats.
- IT productivity
Administrators can apply software patches and updates, change configurations, and enforce policies for all virtual desktops across the deployment because the VDI environment is centrally managed from a data center or public cloud. This isolated environment also allows developers to test applications without putting them into production.
- Enhanced disaster recovery plan
A virtual desktop infrastructure has numerous advantages for businesses. One of the most significant advantages is that it can aid in improving disaster recovery plans. A company with a VDI can quickly and easily spin up new desktops in a disaster. This can help employees keep working despite a major outage or other disruption.
Another advantage of using VDI for disaster recovery is that it can help businesses reduce their risk of data loss. All data on the local machines will be lost in a disaster. However, storing the data in the cloud will be safe even if a major disaster occurs.
- Savings on expenses
Users interact with applications on a virtual desktop the same way on a physical device. Still, virtual desktops are hosted inside virtual machines running on servers in an on-premise or cloud data center. Because processing power is located in the data center, virtual desktop technology allows organizations to select lower-cost endpoint devices over high-performance desktop clients.
- Business processes have been streamlined.
By allowing employees to access the applications they need from any device, anywhere, virtual desktops can help businesses improve their efficiency and streamline their processes. Businesses can eliminate the need for employees to carry multiple devices or access specific applications from specific devices by providing them with a virtual desktop.
Companies can save time and money by reducing the training required for new employees and allowing employees to be more productive by having access to the applications they require when needed. Furthermore, by consolidating hardware and software requirements, virtual desktops can assist businesses in lowering information technology (IT) costs.
Your next steps
You've read an in-depth explanation of how a remote desktop solution could help make your clients happier, your customers and IT team members more constructive and contented, and your business more agile.
To be successful with virtual desktops in your business, you must have the right mix of technologies, skills, experience, and dedication. In addition, your virtual desktop partner must demonstrate an understanding of your company's unique needs and credible evidence that it has the solutions, expertise, and ecosystem to meet those needs.
VTG would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your remote desktop options. Allow us to demonstrate what we know, what we've accomplished, and what we can do with and for you.