Virtual Bridges, IBM and Canonical have released the newest version of a Linux-server based virtual desktop with the release of Virtual Bridges’ VERDE 2.0 software.
The Open Virtual Client desktop is reportedly a combination of IBM’s Smart Client desktop software, Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux servers and Linux desktop, and Virtual Bridges’ VERDE Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI )offering.
The company claimed that VERDE 2.0 offers users new functionality by providing them software access when users are disconnected from the internet. It accomplishes this by integrating a lightweight, client-side hypervisor based on a new Self-Managing Auto Replicating Technology (SMART) protocol. The SMART protocol synchronises a replicated cache running on the client-side hypervisor with managed image on the server, the same image that is used to populate VDI sessions.
VERDE 2.0 reportedly addresses both private cloud and public cloud requirements, meets both the needs of the connected user and the disconnected user, and manages both Windows and Linux desktop sessions.
The Open Virtual Client desktop is expected to allow users of private or public clouds to deploy a Microsoft-alternative in either the whole organisation or for particular user segments, and this can be done over time.
Bob Sutor, VP of linux and open source at IBM software group, said: With increasing scrutiny on costs in organisations of all sizes, Linux desktops are gaining more ground, and the advent of the netbook computer is accelerating that. The cost advantages of moving even a modest segment of users to Linux are very attractive, and virtualising the desktop delivers even greater cost efficiencies and easier IT management. In today’s economy, it’s smart to investigate Linux on the desktop and Virtual Bridges’ VERDE is a great way to do it.
The IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS) includes open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and more, providing users with productivity application alternatives. IBM’s smart work client software is based on its Lotus Symphony, Lotus Notes and Lotus applications.
