VMware adds virtual desktop manager

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Virtualisation firm VMware has further cemented its move into desktop management, today introducing its Virtual Desktop Manager 2 (VDM2).

The VDM2 works with the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution, letting IT administrators more easily connect virtual desktops to the data centre, the firm said.

Virtualised desktops mean that instead of having a PC at every seat, a dummy client is hooked up to the servers, where users can access their virtual computer. VDM lets the server associate virtual machines with a specific user.

Tommy Armstrong, senior product marketing manager for desktops at VMware, said: "The VDM is an access layer, a data centre product that makes it very easy for the end user to connect." He added the manager helps cut administration costs by some 40 per cent by simplifying connections and letting administrators more easily manage updates, applications and antivirus. It also allows for automatic provisioning of new virtual desktops - if more users sign onto the system than there are machines, it can automatically create one.

Such a management system has been in demand from VMware customers, who have been using a VDI for some time, Armstrong said. "Customers kind of invented VDI - they wanted it and have been doing it," he said.

The product has been in Beta testing since the beginning of September last year. One tester has been the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), who expanded their virtualised desktop setup. After rolling out a virtualised desktop system onto just admin desks a year ago, the ATL wanted to expand the setup to their 450 end users.

Management of the extended system looked overwhelming, so the ATL opted to trial the VDM2 beta. "It's worked very well," said Ian Mellor, network infrastructure and applications consultant for the ATL. "It's done its job."

The system has been especially useful for the ATL because many of their representatives work out of the office. "We're a trade union, and so a lot of our field reps are not in the London office," Mellor explained.

"We used to dish out laptops to everyone, but it was hard to manage updates, antivirus, and data loss," he said. "Now we just give them a connection so that they can just use their home PC."

Initially, users found it hard to give up their laptops. "We had to explain that it's easier for ust to support them... they came around to it," said Mellor.

Armstrong said the new release is the first time a boxed virtualised desktop solution has been available from VMware. "Instead of buying a server virtualisation solution, can now by VDI boxed product including this access layer piece," he said.

Armstrong said the announcement is a sign the firm is taking the desktop market seriously. "We've traditionally been in the server virtualisation space, that's where we made our name," he said. "This is VMware taking the desktop seriously."

VMware VDI will cost $150 per concurrent user, on top of a base price of $1,500 for the VDI starter edition, which allows 10 virtual desktops, or $15,000 for the VDI Bundle 100 Pack, which allows 100.

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