Server, desktop virtualisation, networking, software-as-a-service and cloud computing technologies provider Citrix has released its VDI-in-a-Box 5.1 which is designed to deliver a complete VDI application with personalised end-user experiences.
The new release delivers complete end-user personalisation with personal vDisk technology that allows end-user applications and data to be preserved while enabling IT to manage only a single instance of the master image, reducing cost and time.
VDI-in-a-Box 5.1 design eliminates multiple moving parts that blows up the cost and complexity of VDI and the all-in-one grid architecture runs on inexpensive servers.
The new release eliminates the need to create separate static desktops to carry forward end-user customisation by coupling single-instance management with the ability to have individual user workspaces for their applications and data.
It also helps IT to maintain one master copy of desktop images while preserving the personalisation of user applications and data, reducing maintenance efforts and cuts datacentre storage costs up to 90%, the company said.
VDI-in-a-Box extends the Citrix vision of enabling Windows-as-a-Service and adds a VDI option based on VDI-in-a-Box to the Citrix Service Provider (CSP) portfolio of hosted-shared desktops with Citrix XenApp, and enterprise-class desktop virtualisation with XenDesktop.
The new release includes Active Directory failover to increase robustness, dual data stores to provide an option for faster tiers of storage, a grid-wide virtual IP to provide another layer of built-in load balancing and optimisations for Google Earth to enable user run the popular application.
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VDI-in-a-Box 5.1 manages Windows 2008 R2, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8-based virtual desktops. It also features a new touchless desktop agent that automatically propagates upgrades across all the images in a VDI-in-a-Box grid, support for multiple virtual CPUs and partitioning of user and computer domains to increase compliance and flexibility.
By combining VDI-in-a-Box with Citrix GoToAssist, IT can now monitor all VDI deployments, set up and securely access, over the internet, all VDI-in-a-Box servers from a PC, Mac or iPad using remote support.
Citrix VDI-in-a-Box Products vice president Kumar Goswami said: "With VDI-in-a-Box 5.1, we offer customers a simple and affordable approach to delivering personalized virtual desktops, helping businesses of all sizes leverage the power of desktop virtualization to deliver employee mobility and flexibility."
