VMware View Proof Of Concept (POC)

“By the end of 2010, all new PC deployments will be virtualized.”Brian Gammage and George Shiffler III, August 8, 2007

‘Regaining control’Desktop computers are the ICT resources that are the least efficiently utilized and the most difficult to manage. Traditionally, the manage-ment of the desktop computer is always a huge challenge. Drivers, software, patches and secu-rity are just some of the issues that can make the work of the IT management department particu-larly difficult.

Too much diversity and dependency on operating systems The current desktop landscape has a wide range of operating systems, each of which often having its own individual characteristics. This large-scale diversity in desktop layouts exists because new applications demand new operating sys-tems or because the introduction of new functio-nalities requires a different system. Consequent-ly, outdated hardware is often incompatible with the most recent system and there are insufficient resources available to cater for the migration of all workstations.

VMware View VMware and RES Software offer a ready-to-use Proof of Concept (POC) that allows you to experience the added value of Desktop Virtualization for your organization in a fast, modular and accessible manner!

Seeing is believing: A Virtual Desktop POC Because the centralization of desktops represents an entirely new approach for many com-

panies, VMware and RES Software recommend a POC setup. This pilot project can be fully arranged through a number of certified VMware partners. It is designed to evaluate whether the functional and technical aspects of VMware View match the wishes and expectations of your organization.

By utilizing the POC, you can study both the technical and organizational potential offered by a virtual desktop within your own environment. Since there are various options for building a virtual desktop environment, you can seek out the optimal configuration together with one of our consultants. After the pilot project, it will become clear which desktops and users are good candidates for a VMware Desktop Environment and (if applicable) which hardware can be deployed in the process.

NOTE: The ‘pilot project’ provides a complete layout, which will be applied to the definitive implementation within your organization. The ‘test phase’, which is the same as the setup in other projects, is largely complete. This means that the implementation time will be

considerable shorter.

How do we proceed? The POC consists of a number of phases, some of which are optional depending on the cur-

rent situation or the desired POC components.

Phase 1 Site check Phase 2 VMware vSphere (optional) implementation Phase 3 VMware View Manager and virtual desktop implementation and configuration Phase 4 Application virtualization with ThinApp (optional) Phase 5 User Workspace Management (optional) Phase 6 End-user test Phase 7 Report

Management is time-consuming and labor-intensive Management expenses account for almost seventy percent of the Total Cost of Owner-ship (TCO) of an average desktop. Worksta-tion hardware and software maintenance are particularly time-consuming for the average IT department. Consequently, other tasks are pushed aside and additional personnel some-times have to be recruited. A significant volume of the work involved in managing a desktop en-vironment seems to consist mainly of migration projects. In a traditional desktop environment, applications are distributed to the decentrali-zed desktops. This is often done by means of automatic rollout techniques, but sometimes it is also done manually. Each workstation has to be individually visited, migrated and tested.

No security guaranteeThe security of local data is also a matter of great concern. The decentralized nature of the traditional client/server architecture leaves en-terprises vulnerable to security risks. Whatever the level of desktop security, sensitive company information leaks out with great regularity.

Phase 1: Site checkObjective The current functionality of the desktops is used as the point of departure. This serves as a

basis for the desired VMware View functionality. A good inventory of the current hardware and software and how this is going to be applied is essential for getting the VMware View POC off to a good start. Which applications or wishes for which the VM server environment is to be deployed will also be examined. We take your budget and company risk profile into ac-count at all times.

Description of the activities • Drawing up an inventory of the current and desired functionality by a consultant • Basic infrastructure check for the VMware View POC

Result After the site check has been performed, you will receive a transparent and definitive step-by-

step plan for implementing the VMware View POC. A well-organized checklist will enable you to see whether the existing situation is adequate for the VMware View POC. Any modifications required for the successful implementation of the VMware View POC will be specified.

Desktop capacity is not utilized Modern workstations have an enormous com-puting capacity. However, because the user only performs one or two tasks simultaneously, only ten percent of this computing capacity might be exploited. All of these problems re-quire a revised desktop strategy and a smar-ter, more efficient and more secure way of distributing applications to the users. This can be achieved by setting up a ‘Virtual Desktop Infrastructure’.

How does it work?The VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure View gives users access to desktops with the aid of virtualization techniques. Virtualization facilitates the hosting of desktop computers on servers. By using virtualization on the server, it is possible to offer a large number of desk-tops on the hardware in the computer room. The available capacity is thus optimal and if necessary, additional capacity can be activated quickly and easily. Another important benefit is that this creates better security and control. Desktop virtualization can convert the entire desktop into a server farm hosted environment. The desktop is thus always accessible, dyna-mically scalable and it can be monitored and controlled from a central location.

Phase 2: VMware vSphere (optional) implementationObjective In this phase, the basic VMware infrastructure will be installed. The VMware View solution

uses VMware vSphere. If the vSphere infrastructure is already present, then this phase can be skipped. Any modifications are implemented in consultation (if necessary, from the site check information). If the client does not yet have a VMware vSphere infrastructure, this will be in-stalled in the form of a server with the corresponding virtual machines.

Description of the activities • Existing vSphere infrastructure modification • VMware ESX Host installation • VMware virtual centre console installation

Result After this phase, the VMware View POC is modified or installed. A VMware ESX server is incor-

porated into the network and the VMware management console, vCenter, is configured and operational. The infrastructure is modified and complies with the requirements for the next phase: the installation of the VMware View and the virtual desktops.

Setting up a virtual desktop envi-ronment will enable you to:• Allocate, roll out and recover complete desk-

tops which will considerably increase acces-sibility to the desktop environment.

• Offer users a complete desktop environment even from a remote location

• Keep your sensitive business information secure in the central computer room

• Set up a standard and centrally-controlled desktop environment which complies with internal and external compliance regulations

• Distinguish the user type and tailor the desk-top requirements accordingly

Advantages of desktop virtualization:• Savings on expenditure by reducing the TCO

of the workspace • More efficient use of the existing capacity

and therefore less energy consumption • Automatic, proactive control • Increased accessibility and fast processing

time • Better service in the event of a calamity

Phase 3: VMware View Manager and virtual desktop implementation and configurationObjective This phase involves the implementation of the VMware View Manager and a couple of desk-

tops, which are going to serve as a representative basis for the View POC. Which desktop types should be deployed for the organization will be examined during the site check in phase 1. VMware View will be incorporated into the domain and arranged together with the client’s system manager. Devices for the POC test users will be set up and activated.

Description of the activities • VMware View virtual machine installation and activation • Windows XP virtual machine installation and activation • Windows Vista virtual machine installation and activation • Basic configuration agents, protocols, printers, etc. • VMware View manager; User access, Desktops, Printers, Active directory configuration • Establish a number of clients (PC or Thin Client) for the POC • Examination of the VMware View Manager possibilities together with the systems management • Documentation

Result After this phase, the basic VMware View infrastructure is implemented. VMware View is instal-

led on the (existing) vSphere infrastructure. The virtual desktops are installed and configured for use from VMware View. The systems management is familiar with the VMware View pos-sibilities and has discussed the possibilities of the VMware View Manager configuration with the partner’s System Engineer (SE). The basic configuration is tested and documented. The configuration is ready and tested for further arrangement.

What does VMware View consist of?VMware vSphere:VMware View is based on the VMware vSphere infrastructure. The integration of desk-top infrastructure with VMware vSphere offers a number of benefits: • Centralized desktop management • Reliability and continuity • Centralized back-up for virtual desktops • Dynamic load-balancing for desktop compu-

ters

VMware View ManagerView Manager, an essential component of VMware View, is an enterprise class desktop management solution. VMware View manager streamlines the management, provisioning and implementation of virtual desktops. Users are given secure and easy access to virtual desk-tops hosted on VMware vSphere, Terminal Ser-vers, Blade PC or even remote physical PCs via View Manager. Virtual desktops are upgraded and patched centrally from a single console enabling you to efficiently manage hundreds or even thousands of desktops. This saves time and resources.

Phase 4: Application virtualization with ThinApp (optional)Objective VMware ThinApp is a solution for virtualizing applications that allow customers to run prac-

tically all possible applications on any version of Microsoft Windows without any conflicts. In this phase, five business critical applications will be virtualized.

Description of the activities • Packaging of five applications (more applications in consultation) • Application deployment • Integration with VMware View • Application testing • Documentation

Result After this phase, the client’s most important applications are packaged and made available to

the test users. Technical testing is performed on the applications. The systems management is familiar with the packaging possibilities and has packaged a number of applications indepen-dently using ThinApp. The documentation has been updated.

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Phase 5: User Workspace Management (optional)Objective ‘User workspace management’ ensures that a standard desktop is offered in a personalized,

secure and stable manner. In combination with VMware View, which makes the standard desk-top accessible everywhere, RES PowerFuse offers the work environment content (consisting of applications, access to data, printers and personal settings) personally and securely based on the end-user context (who he/she is, where he/she is located, at what time, with what type of PC). Many companies will consider ‘user workspace management’ a value added contribu-tion to the VMware View concept. Since VMware does not offer a solution like this itself, RES PowerFuse from RES Software will be applied in this phase.

Description of the activities A machine for RES Software is added to the ESX environment on the machines in the POC. Af-

ter this machine has been started, RES PowerFuse can be installed. The management console and the workspace manager will be installed by means of the MSI. After the console has been started, RES PowerFuse calls for the database to be created. When this has been done, you can import the corresponding Building Block where the settings for Office 2007 and Adobe Reader are located.

Once the workspace manager has been installed on the virtual desktop, a personal and con-trolled workspace can be provided. Furthermore, this machine can also be used for installing RES Wisdom; both the console and the agent act as the dispatcher. Once the agent has been installed on the virtual machine and the integration between RES Wisdom and RES Power-Fuse has been configured, ThinApp applications can be distributed at the user’s request. RES Wisdom can also install the workspace manager on the virtual desktops.

Result After this phase, a virtual, dynamic, secure and personal workspace is available to the end-

user. System managers are familiar with the possibilities offered by automated workspace delivery. The POC is technically ready and tested by the system managers. The entire infra-structure is ready for testing together with end-users.

VMware ThinAppThinApp is an agentless application virtualiza-tion solution. This enables you to ‘package’, dis-tribute and start almost any Windows applicati-on as a single EXE file on a (virtual) PC without having to install and/or modify the local system (file system/register). Unlike other solutions, ThinApp does not require any pre-installed software on the system. Thin-installed appli-cations run from PCs, LAN, WAN, USB drive or memory card using the existing infrastructure. ThinApp applications fully run in user mode on ‘locked down’ systems without driver installa-tion. This enables system managers to maintain a secure, clean and stable system.

RES Software RES Software is the leading provider of User Workspace Management software. Since 1999 we have enabled our more than 2,500 custo-mers worldwide to compose and manage per-sonalized and secure workspaces for their end users. Our Workspace Management products bridge the gap between traditional desktop management, thin clients, and virtual desktops. The business benefits our customers have reali-zed by using our products include a lower TCO, broader security and an increased productivity.

Phase 6: End user testObjective In this phase, an arrangement will be made for a number of end-users connected to the new

server to commence testing in a ‘live’ network. Evaluations will be frequently made with the end-users. Any substantive fine-tuning or modifications can be implemented in consultation. It is also possible to devote extra attention to explaining the concept and the chosen layout.

Description of the activities • POC instruction for end-users • Fine-tuning assistance for the systems management • Documentation

Result The desired functionality of VMware View, possibly in combination with Application virtualiza-

tion and user workspace management is tested by end-users. Any defects are corrected. The systems management is familiar with the possibilities that VMware View offers and can form an impression of the new approach to desktop management.

Phase 7: ReportObjective To provide a clear picture in order to make the right choices by means of a report.

Description of the activities • POC report and documentation • Specifications • Recommendation and options • Presentation upon consultation

Result The entire POC is described in the report. The report also includes details on the feasibility of

the desired situation and what requirements are necessary to make the functionality available to the users. Any bottlenecks will be outlined. The feasibility of the project and the possible implementation will also be defined.

More information about VMware View:www.vmware.com/products/view/Download and evaluate the solutionwww.vmware.com/download/view/Use the VMware View TCO calculator:vmware.com/go/view_calculator

VMware Professional Service offers• Jumpstart workshops are given on the site proof-of-concept and examples of VMware View• Custom made service as result of planning,

design and implementation of VMware View applications

RES Software United KingdomReal Enterprise Synergy Ltd.Quatro House Frimley Road

Camberley GU16 7ERUnited Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)845 838 5558Fax: +44 (0)845 838 5559

www.vmware.comwww.ressoftware.com

VMware & RES Software RES Software is the leading provider of User Workspace Management software. Since

1999 we have enabled our more than 2,500 customers worldwide to compose and ma-nage personalized and secure workspaces for their end users. Our Workspace Manage-ment products bridge the gap between traditional desktop management, thin clients, and virtual desktops. The business benefits our customers have realized by using our products include a lower TCO, broader security and an increased productivity. RES Software has offices in eight European countries and in the US. RES Software products are only distributed through a network of certified partners