Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Virtual desktop tools and technology

• Can IT use VMware Horizon View without vCenter?

  Running VMware Horizon View without vCenter is possible but impractical. Understand why an organization would want to use this setup and what the implications are.  Continue Reading

• What features should IT look for in VDI monitoring tools?

  VDI monitoring tools can help IT get visibility into a complex environment. Here are five features every IT admin should look for in a VDI monitoring tool.  Continue Reading

• When should IT use thin clients for VDI?

  Thin clients are less expensive than PCs, but they also come with limitations. Find out if thin clients will work well within your organization.  Continue Reading

• What should IT consider when choosing VDI antivirus software?

  Virtual desktops are just as susceptible to cyberattacks as any physical desktop. Here's what IT administrators need to know about choosing the right VDI antivirus software.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of on-premises hosting for virtual desktops?

  IT shouldn't overlook the benefits of on-premises desktop hosting, such as more choices for virtualization software. Cloud-hosted desktops also fall short in areas such as infrastructure control.  Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft RemoteApp server-based virtualization work?

  With RemoteApp, users can access virtual apps that reside in a data center or in a cloud-based VM rather than locally on their devices. The app still behaves as though it's local.  Continue Reading

• How should IT assess zero client vs. thin client devices?

  Zero clients and thin clients can simplify the endpoints users work with in VDI deployments. The makeup of each option affects the benefits it delivers.  Continue Reading

• How does a client-based application with Microsoft App-V work?

  The app virtualization world is confusing. Get some clarity on how client-based app deployment works by taking a closer look at Microsoft App-V.  Continue Reading

• Can IT add digital watermarks to its virtual desktops?

  As part of a larger security strategy, watermarking virtual desktops can help IT discourage data leakage by adding user-specific text to each desktop.  Continue Reading

• Does deploying VDI affect other systems?

  VDI can affect areas of a company network, such as internet bandwidth. IT can mitigate the effects of VDI users by allocating resources and monitoring system performance.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between TCP and UDP?

  When it comes to using TCP or UDP for sending packets of data through a network across devices, IT must know the differences and when each option is a good fit.  Continue Reading

• What root cause analysis software exists for virtual desktops?

  When trying to get to the bottom of virtual desktop problems, IT should turn to root cause analysis tools from vendors such as ControlUp and Lakeside Software.  Continue Reading

• What Citrix VDI monitoring tools are built in?

  XenApp and XenDesktop shops should use any of Citrix's four VDI monitoring tools to get better control over their deployments, user sessions and administrative changes.  Continue Reading

• How does a remote display protocol actually work?

  IT should know how remote display protocols, which transmit the desktop image from the data center to the end user, work because of the critical role they play in VDI.  Continue Reading

• What are the open source remote display protocol options?

  Fluctuating VDI costs can catch any organization by surprise. Consider open source remote display protocols to keep the price tag low and user experience high.  Continue Reading

• When to use published apps vs. streaming apps

  Don't get lost in application delivery. Compare application publishing and streaming to find the best option for an organization's unique setup and needs.  Continue Reading

• Edge computing technology holds VDI potential

  Edge computing is finding its place in the enterprise to handle data growth. IT may use that same advantage to help address problems in a VDI deployment.  Continue Reading

• Three user profile management tools for nonpersistent VDI

  IT can have trouble managing user profiles that are separate from the desktop images in nonpersistent VDI, but they can make things easier with user profile management tools.  Continue Reading

• How does app layering work with nonpersistent desktops?

  One of the big drawbacks of nonpersistent VDI is that users get no personalization. App layering can change that by keeping the apps separate from the OS itself.  Continue Reading

• How will cloud computing and analytics affect Citrix shops?

  Citrix's focus on monitoring, cloud computing and analytics will let IT do its job in new ways. Admins should embrace the change, consultant Theresa Miller says.  Continue Reading

• How does Office 365 licensing work in VDI deployments?

  Licensing Office 365 for VDI deployments is not simple. The requirements change depending on the deployment type. Microsoft RDS, for example, completely alters how it works.  Continue Reading

• How does VMware Horizon View licensing work?

  Licensing is a critical component of VDI. VMware offers two main licensing options with Horizon View; a per user model and a per concurrent connection model.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix XenDesktop licensing work?

  Licensing is a key component to virtual desktop infrastructure. Citrix XenDesktop provides businesses with the option of user or device specific models.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix SmartAccess boost XenDesktop security?

  Citrix shops looking to enable secure remote access can employ the SmartAccess feature in XenApp and XenDesktop to require endpoint analysis using the company's NetScaler Gateway delivery controller.  Continue Reading

• Which organizations don't need to deliver virtual workspaces?

  Virtual workspace products make employees' desktops, applications and data available to them in the office or remotely. But not every company is well-suited to reap benefits from workspace products.  Continue Reading

• What custom services do DaaS vendors offer?

  It takes a lot of work to learn how to secure and manage cloud-hosted desktops. But, if it's an option financially, organizations could consider some of the upgraded services DaaS vendors offer to make IT's job easier.  Continue Reading

• What's new in VMware App Volumes 3.0?

  App Volumes was a big addition to VMware's application virtualization portfolio. Learn how new features in version 3.0, such as AppToggle, could fix some of its deficiencies.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix HDX 3D Pro support GPU virtualization?

  IT administrators can use Citrix HDX to deliver graphics-intensive applications in XenDesktop and XenApp, but they'll need HDX 3D Pro to optimize the application performance even more and limit bandwidth consumption.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix StoreFront work with XenApp and XenDesktop?

  Citrix's enterprise app store can help VDI shops transition to a mobile-friendly virtual desktop and application strategy by broadening remote access and providing a simpler user interface for employees.  Continue Reading

• How can the Citrix X1 Mouse benefit virtual desktop users?

  Citrix isn't known for hardware, but the X1 Mouse ties in well with its XenApp and XenDesktop products by making it easier to use virtual desktops and apps on iOS devices.  Continue Reading

• Differences between EVO:RAIL, Virtual SAN Ready Nodes and Rapid Desktop Appliance

  VMware offers three converged and hyper-converged products that may appeal to VDI shops, but each one works a little bit differently.  Continue Reading

• What VMware certification program changes affect VDI admins?

  VMware certificate holders should get ready to do their homework. Nearly all VMware certification programs include new, more strenuous requirements.  Continue Reading

• Do I really need Citrix NetScaler?

  NetScaler or not, you need an application delivery controller. But XenApp and XenDesktop shops that use a non-Citrix gateway run the risk of losing Citrix's support.  Continue Reading

• How do I upgrade to the latest version of Citrix Receiver?

  Citrix Receiver lets users connect from almost any device to their virtual applications and desktops. It's important that they have the most recent version of the client so they can take reap the benefits of new features.  Continue Reading

• Should my organization consider Microsoft RemoteFX?

  Microsoft RemoteFX is a feature in Windows Server that can help a virtual desktop behave more like a physical one.  Continue Reading

• What are some of the best features of VDI-in-a-Box?

  Citrix VDI-in-a-Box is easy to set up and scale, it has a simple architecture, and it uses automatic load balancing.  Continue Reading

• Should I pursue a VMware certification?

  There are a lot of VMware certifications you could get, but whether you need one depends on what your job entails and how far you want to go in your career.  Continue Reading

• How does VMware Soft 3D work?

  VMware's Soft 3D makes CPU emulate a GPU so workers who have minimal graphics needs on their virtual desktops can still get the performance they want and need.  Continue Reading

• How do I use VMware vDGA?

  VMware vDGA lets you link a whole GPU to a virtual desktop, but you can only support eight VMs per ESXi host that way.  Continue Reading

• What is VMware vSGA?

  You don't have to choose between bad performance and dropping major coin on dedicated GPUs for each VM. VMware's vSGA lets VMs share GPUs so you can improve graphics without breaking the bank.  Continue Reading

• How does VDI software work?

  Virtual desktop infrastructure can seem complex because there are so many options and possible configurations. But when it comes down to it, VDI software works via two easy-to-understand components.  Continue Reading

• What does the Nvidia, VMware and Google partnership mean for VDI?

  Nvidia, VMware and Google have teamed up to deliver quality graphics on low-cost Chromebooks. Though the devices' enterprise readiness has been questioned in the past, this collaboration could garner a double take.  Continue Reading

• VMware's Project Fargo gives users desktops on the fly

  VMware's Project Fargo lets you copy an already-running virtual machine and deliver it to users, giving them fast access to nonpersistent desktops without taking up much disk space.  Continue Reading

• Tips for negotiating a contract with VDI vendors

  How do you arrange the ideal VDI contract? Shop around and pit vendors against each other; never pay full price; and if all else fails, convince the vendor to throw in products or services for free.  Continue Reading

• Can I use XenClient to change a PC to thin client?

  With Citrix XenClient, you can easily turn a PC into a thin client. If you have XenDesktop Enterprise or Platinum licenses already, you can do it for free.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting XenApp and HDX connectivity

  If you're having problems with HDX on XenApp servers, check TCP port 1494 first. If that doesn't work, consider turning off Session Reliability temporarily.  Continue Reading

• RDSH vs. VDI comparison proves use case is everything

  In a RDSH vs. VDI comparison, it's not a matter of which is better. The most important thing is which one best fits your use case. VDI is good if users need multiple applications, but RDSH is a more lightweight model.  Continue Reading

• Why you need VDI training and how to go about it

  VDI requires new hardware and software, so make sure you get some VDI training and certifications under your belt before you deploy virtual desktops.  Continue Reading

• How virtualized GPU technology renders complex graphics

  Virtualized GPU technology is still new, so it's a good time to get in on the ground floor and learn how it renders graphics for remote users.  Continue Reading

• What are IOPS, and how do they affect virtual desktop performance?

  This week, our experts explain why input/output operations per second, or IOPS, matter when measuring virtual desktop performance.  Continue Reading

• What exactly is included in the Microsoft VDA license cost?

  The Virtual Desktop Access license lets users remotely access Windows from more types of devices, but it costs more than Software Assurance.  Continue Reading

• Terminal Services rejecting sessions on a server

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• Application metering for Windows Terminal Services

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• Can you run a remote Terminal Services session on Win98 or WinXP?

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• What can I do to reduce the heavy load on my Terminal Server?

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• Why can't clients connect to our new Terminal Server?

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• Connecting a TS client to a different port

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• Does VPN connection improve Terminal Services security?

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• Connecting to terminal server domain with one domain controller

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• Are thin clients prone to slow response times and dropped connections?

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• How do I disable the shutdown option in Terminal Server?

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• Controlling Terminal Services licensing

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• Is there a better way to use Excel in terminal server?

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• Cannot connect to terminal server with a terminal services client

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• Can I have one machine act as a DC and a terminal server?

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