Tips

Tips

• Taking advantage of VM snapshots in a virtual desktop environment

  With VM snapshots, you can make one desktop VM into many. Just watch out for performance when snapshotting in a virtual desktop environment.  Continue Reading

• Making Citrix XenDesktop play nice with a VMware hypervisor

  You can run XenDesktop on a VMware hypervisor, but what does that entail? Learn how clustering and vCenter Server work in a mixed VDI environment.  Continue Reading

• Using passthrough disks for desktop VM storage? Keep 5 tips in mind

  Connecting desktop VMs to passthrough disks can enhance performance, but it does add complexity. Watch out for these five hang-ups.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for allocating resources to virtual desktops

  It's important to do a good job allocating resources to virtual desktops. Make sure you understand your VM system and allocate based on your users.  Continue Reading

• VMware View components: What you need and how they work

  To use VMware View for VDI, you need a few different View components, including the View Agent, vCenter Server and View Connection Server.  Continue Reading

• Zero client vs. thin client computing: Why zero clients are better

  Zero clients and thin clients both offer virtual desktop access, but they aren't the same when it comes to performance and scalability.  Continue Reading

• Breaking down five desktop delivery methods

  There are a lot of ways to accomplish desktop delivery these days, and they all come in shorthand: VDI, SBC, DaaS and more.  Continue Reading

• Four desktop virtualization use cases

  Knowing why you're deploying virtual desktops is the first step to success -- whether it's for better security, simplified management or BYOD support.  Continue Reading

• Creating a golden image for VDI: 13 things to consider

  When you build a golden image for virtual desktops, make sure that virtual disk image has the proper security settings and pre-installed apps.  Continue Reading

• User profile backup methods for virtual desktops

  First you need to decide whether it's worth backing up user data. If you decide yes, check out these user profile backup techniques.  Continue Reading

• Choosing thin client devices: What to look for

  On the lookout for thin client devices? Don't forget to consider application compatibility, protocol support, features and cost.  Continue Reading

• Four virtual disk formats every VDI admin needs to know

  VDI admins need to understand the underlying disk image files that store data in their environments. Learn about the four most common formats.  Continue Reading

• User profile management tools: 16 options to consider

  There are tons of user profile management tools out there. Check out these options to learn what they offer -- and which ones are free.  Continue Reading

• How to install Microsoft RDS in Windows Server 2012

  When you're ready to install Microsoft RDS, keep an eye on each component. Some are mandatory in Windows Server 2012 and others aren't.  Continue Reading

• How to ensure VDI network connectivity, security

  A virtual desktop isn't worth a nickel if a user can't connect to it. Keep your VDI network strong with traffic prioritization and security policies.  Continue Reading

• GPU vs. CPU: Three ways to run graphics-heavy apps on virtual desktops

  It's a pain trying to accommodate graphics-intensive applications on a virtual desktop, but don't despair. There are ways to deliver these apps fast.  Continue Reading

• Eliminating VDI network bottlenecks and latency issues

  On a VDI network, you want lots of bandwidth and low latency levels. To hit that target, learn what policies you need to put in place.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Remote Desktop Services roles for high availability

  Although Windows Server 2012 RDS comes with new high availability capabilities, configuring Remote Desktop Services HA is no simple task.  Continue Reading

• Application virtualization Q&A: Streaming and remote app delivery

  Application virtualization can simplify upgrading and management. Just remember, streaming and remote apps are two different things.  Continue Reading

• Using Portable-VirtualBox to run any OS from a USB device

  Portable-VirtualBox allows you to run OSes from a USB drive, which helps you test them for use in server and desktop virtualization environments.  Continue Reading

• Turn to Microsoft RemoteApp Programs when VDI and RDS just won't do

  VDI and RDS aren't always the best fit for remote app delivery. For a lightweight approach, try Microsoft RemoteApp Programs in Windows Server 2012.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Using Windows PowerShell commands to manage virtual desktops

  Windows PowerShell commands aren't just for traditional desktops. Learn how to use PowerCLI, XenApp cmdlets and more to make VDI management a snap.  Continue Reading

• VDI backup strategies: Copying, storing and securing virtual desktops

  If you’re not backing up your virtual desktops, here are a few VDI backup strategies that might make you re-think that decision.  Continue Reading

• VirtualBox VM recovery: Two ways to salvage your data

  If you have to recover a VirtualBox VM, you're in for a grand old time. Keep these tricks in mind to help get your data back.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft RemoteFX requirements in Windows Server 2012

  There are new hardware requirements for using RemoteFX in Windows Server 2012, but it's hard to find where to configure certain settings.  Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization comparison: VDI vs. Remote Desktop Services

  For desktop virtualization, you have a choice between the paths of VDI and Remote Desktop Services. Robert Frost took the road less travelled, but you don't have to choose just one.  Continue Reading

• How to stagger your VDI project rollout: Start with a VDI POC

  Slow and steady wins the race. After analyzing a VDI POC, stagger your VDI project rollout so resources aren't overwhelmed and users can get used to the new technology.  Continue Reading

• Five reasons a VDI project stalls: What's the holdup?

  Here's one way to send a VDI project down the tubes: Ignore the end user experience. See four more factors that can hit the brakes on your implementation.  Continue Reading

• Reverse seamless windows: The secret to local apps on remote desktops

  Some apps just run better as local applications. Reverse seamless windows technology allows you to run apps locally while presenting them on remote desktops.  Continue Reading

• How do you stop a VDI deployment in its tracks? Scale up!

  When a VDI deployment doesn't get past the pilot stage, scalability is often the culprit. A small VDI project is a completely different animal than a large one.  Continue Reading

• How a virtualization stack provides simplicity, scalability for VDI

  VDI products can run on integrated virtualization platforms, bringing simplicity and deliverability to VDI deployments. But converged infrastructure may not be suitable for all.  Continue Reading

• Using the iPad as a VDI client: Does it work and who needs it?

  If your users are always on the go and sick of lugging their laptops around, they may want to use the iPad as a VDI client instead. But they shouldn't expect a full PC experience.  Continue Reading

• Preparing your network for VDI: What affects VDI network performance

  Implementing VDI can throw your network into a state of shock. By monitoring traffic peaks and understanding the performance impact, you can make sure the network is prepared.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft RemoteFX USB redirection: Four key considerations

  With Microsoft RemoteFX USB redirection, you can have full native USB support for virtual desktops, despite some device limitations.  Continue Reading

• Tips for running PowerShell against remote Windows 7 desktops

  Setting up PowerShell to manage remote Windows 7 desktops can be tricky. These tips help you properly configure PowerShell and use it for remote desktop troubleshooting.  Continue Reading

• Five helpful commands for managing Remote Desktop Services

  In Windows Server 8, server management will be command-line oriented. Prepare for the shift by learning some commands for managing Remote Desktop Services.  Continue Reading

• Solutions to common remote desktop printing problems

  Microsoft Easy Print improved remote desktop printing in Windows Server 2008 R2, but network admins still struggle with printer redirection. Use these tips to fix common problems.  Continue Reading

• Why using a bare metal client hypervisor on a Mac makes no sense

  Apple supports running Mac OS X 10.7 Lion in a client hypervisor VM on Mac hardware, but is there any value in virtualizing the Mac OS with Type-1 products such as XenClient?  Continue Reading

• More tools for converting PCs to thin clients

  You don't need to replace all your PCs to move to virtual desktops. Here are six non-Windows tools to help you convert old hardware to thin clients for desktop virtualization.  Continue Reading

• Google Chrome OS vs. Chromium OS: Understanding the difference

  Before buying Google Chromebooks, learn the difference between Chrome and Chromium -- the free HTML5 browsers and OSes you can use to check out desktop virtualization clients.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of using storage virtualization for virtual desktops

  Thinking of virtualizing storage to improve virtual desktop performance? Here are the pros and cons of storage virtualization for VDI.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of using hosted apps in the enterprise

  Hosted applications can reduce IT management burdens, but they can leave you at the mercy of service providers. Here are the pros and cons to weigh before moving to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Using AppLocker to lock down Remote Desktop Services apps

  The time it takes to get AppLocker fully functional negates its benefits, but with Remote Desktop Services, the Windows 7 application security tool is a no-brainer.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting virtual desktop connectivity issues

  Users occasionally have trouble connecting to their virtual desktops. These steps in the process of elimination can help troubleshoot network problems as quickly as possible.  Continue Reading

• The first hurdle of deploying a VDI environment: The user persona

  Ensure the quality of the user experience by properly managing the user persona. These five techniques can help with virtual desktop infrastructure deployment.  Continue Reading

• How to make user profiles delete themselves in any VDI environment

  Do you need to keep Windows profiles but delete virtual desktops from shared machines? Nonpersistent desktops and these Active Directory tricks can help.  Continue Reading

• Deploying Remote Desktop Web Access

  With Remote Desktop Web Access, users can connect to a remote desktop or an application through a Web browser. Follow these steps to start using the feature.  Continue Reading

• Deploying a Remote Desktop Session Host

  The Remote Desktop Session Host in Windows Vista and Windows 7 performs the role of a terminal server. Deploying a session host isn't difficult -- if you plan ahead.  Continue Reading

• Setting up virtual hard disk storage

  VMware and Hyper-V can easily connect virtual machines to storage, but it crucial to pick the right method for your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Assessing your IT infrastructure for desktop virtualization

  Enterprises are increasingly using desktop virtualization for centralized application management. Make sure to remember performance and storage requirements when making VDI plans.  Continue Reading

• How to build a native-boot VHD for Windows 7 in a few simple steps

  Booting natively to a VHD in Windows 7 can be a complicated. This step-by-step guide breaks down and simplifies the process.  Continue Reading

• Unlocking the possibilities of native-boot VHD in Windows 7

  Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 7 include native support for virtual hard disks, making it easier for administrators to use VHDs. Learn how to configure a native boot from those OSes.  Continue Reading

• Which form of app virtualization is best: streaming or localized?

  Follow these steps to determine which method of application virtualization is best for your IT shop: streaming mode or localized mode. Know your IT environment to find the way.  Continue Reading

• Deploying Terminal Services Web Access

  Need to facilitate a remote Terminal Services session? The easiest method to use -- and set up -- is Terminal Services Web Access, a feature of Windows Server 2008.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Active Directory GPOs in a VDI environment

  For an easy transition to virtual desktops, focus on configuring Group Policy Objects for VDI OS images.  Continue Reading

• Understanding application virtualization as a software hosting strategy

  Application virtualization is a software hosting strategy that can increase system protection and eliminate incompatibilities with configuration data by using APIs to emulate middleware and OS interfaces.  Continue Reading

• How to determine your virtual machine per-core ratio

  Discover industry standards, real-world examples and a sample equation to help you determine how many virtual machines can fit onto a core server.  Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot Terminal Services connection problems

  Having a problem with your Terminal Services connection resource limits? Find out how a registry key can help troubleshoot the issue.  Continue Reading