Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization

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[Thursday, January 01, 2009 | 0 comments ]

Client-hosted desktop virtualization creates a separate OS environment on the desktop, allowing non-compatible legacy or line of business applications to operate within their native environment on top of a more current desktop operating system, or enabling two IT environments (for example, personal and corporate) to run concurrently on the same physical device.

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) adds four additional components on top of Virtual PC to enable enterprise deployment of desktop virtualization:

Virtual image repository and delivery: simplifies the process of creating, testing, delivering, and updating virtual images:
- Centralized virtual images repository for image creation and testing
- Auto-install package for deployment via software distribution mechanisms or DVDs
- Efficient image delivery and updates over the network (using TrimTransfer de-duplication technology, based on Microsoft IIS)
- Automate first-time virtual machine setup (for example, network setup, unique computer name, domain join)
Centralized management and monitoring: manages the life-cycle of a virtual machine:
- Centralized management server to control the deployed virtual machines
- Image provisioning based on Microsoft Active Directory users and groups
- User authentication prior to accessing the virtual image (online or offline)
- Centralized database for client activity and events
Usage policy and data transfer control: an endpoint agent enforces usage policies for the virtual machine:
- Set expiration dates for the virtual machine and time limits for offline work
- Data transfer control (for example, copy/paste, file transfer, printing) between the virtual machine and the endpoint
- Administrators can define web sites (e.g. corporate sites that require a previous version of the browser) to automatically launch within the virtual environment.
Seamless end-user experience:
- Published applications—applications that are installed in the virtual machine become available through the user's Start Menu
- Invisible virtual machine—applications that run in Virtual PC are seamlessly integrated into the user desktop and appear side-by-side with native applications

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization is an integral tool in the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, a dynamic solution available to Software Assurance customers that helps reduce application deployment costs, enable delivery of applications as services, and better manage and control enterprise desktop environments.