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Computers & Peripherals |
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A Look at Virtualization May 5, 2008 Virtualization enables the fundamental separation of an operating system (or its various components) from its associated hardware platform. From this basic proposition comes many different applications, and a new frontier is that of the desktop. From an enterprise perspective, virtualization holds the promise of reduced IT desktop management costs through remote desktop management, improved control over backup and disaster recovery, common IT management and security methods/applications, and reduced power consumption. How to achieve these benefits can be done in a number of ways: Data centers can create virtual desktops on central servers where end users access the desktop at the server, or the virtual desktop streamed to the end user. A similar approach can be applied in a granular fashion of varying degrees, such as providing users specific virtualized applications through streaming or software as a service, for example. Virtualization may extend to consumers, enabling different household members their own set of operating system, applications, and environment. One member, or instance, may be business focused, while another may be optimized for gaming. Add to the mix that service providers may be able to perform remote management, diagnosis, and repair. At the same time, there are several challenges to desktop virtualization adoption. The basic one is virtualization knowledge and experience of IT staff and users. Successful application not only involves technical optimization of computing resources, but also understanding of the user base. More computing, memory, I/O and other resources may be required at the central servers, and the balanced use of those resources will need to be optimized. At the same time, a lack of user base understanding can yield a common desktop too restrictive, or even inappropriate. Nonetheless, virtualization on the desktop looks promising. Domestic vendors Lenovo, Founder and Great Wall have introduced virtualization into their desktop products. Vendors will use virtualization as another differentiator in an already competitive desktop segment. At the same time, vendors will need to make sure there is adequate user understanding to match the potential of virtualization. For more information Please contact us for these and other China-related data, information and products. Unless otherwise specified, all information provided is sourced from CCID Consulting. |
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