Are You Planning a New or Upgraded VDI Infrastructure?

August 5, 2021

When embarking on new IT infrastructure deployments or upgrades, the multitude of decisions to make can be overwhelming. From choosing the right Windows version (10 or 11) to deciding between Citrix, VMware, or Microsoft, and even selecting hardware or cloud suppliers, the choices seem endless. Moreover, ensuring that all your applications work seamlessly in the final setup adds another layer of complexity to the process.

The Challenge:

According to TechTarget, unexpected complexity, poor performance, and unanticipated costs are the three of the most common culprits for a derailed VDI project. What further complicates matters is that every IT environment is unique. What works for one organization may not necessarily work for another. Historically, organizations would only discover the true performance and scalability of IT infrastructure after it was in production. Unfortunately, by that point, end-users and senior management might have already experienced the frustration of poorly performing applications and slow logons.

Key Considerations of Rolling Out New VDI

Planning a new or upgraded Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a complex task that requires careful consideration of various factors. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Business Objectives: Start by defining the business objectives for implementing or upgrading VDI. Understand the specific goals, such as improving remote work capabilities, reducing hardware costs, enhancing security, or ensuring better application performance.
2. User Requirements: Identify the needs and preferences of end-users. Consider factors like the type of applications they use, their device preferences (desktop, laptop, mobile), and their location (office, remote, field).
3. Infrastructure Assessment: Evaluate your existing IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, and data center capacity. Determine whether your current infrastructure can support VDI or if upgrades are necessary.
4. VDI Platform Selection: Choose the right VDI platform for your needs. Options include Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, VMware Horizon, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, and open-source solutions like VirtualBox. Select a platform that aligns with your business objectives and budget.
5. Licensing and Costs: Understand the licensing models associated with your chosen VDI platform. Calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) to ensure it fits within your budget. Consider costs related to software, hardware, maintenance, and ongoing support.
6. Performance and Scalability: Assess the expected workload and scalability requirements. Ensure that your VDI solution can handle peak loads and grow as your organization expands.
7. Security: Prioritize security measures, including data encryption, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. Implement security best practices to protect sensitive data in the virtual environment.
8. Network Infrastructure: Evaluate your network infrastructure’s capacity and reliability. High-speed and low-latency connections are crucial for a smooth VDI experience.
9. Storage: Determine your storage requirements, considering factors like storage type (HDD vs. SSD), capacity, and redundancy. VDI environments often require high-performance storage to deliver responsive desktops.
10. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Develop a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan to ensure data availability and minimize downtime in case of system failures.
11. User Experience: Focus on delivering a seamless user experience. Optimize configurations for desktop responsiveness, reduce latency, and provide adequate resources for multimedia applications.
12. Testing and Pilot Deployment: Conduct thorough testing of the VDI environment before rolling it out company-wide. Implement a pilot deployment with a small group of users to identify and resolve any issues.
13. Management and Monitoring: Choose VDI management tools that allow for efficient administration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the virtual desktops. Proactive monitoring can help identify performance bottlenecks and address them promptly.
14. Compliance and Regulations: Ensure that your VDI infrastructure complies with industry-specific regulations and data privacy requirements, especially if handling sensitive data.
15. User Training: Provide training and support for end-users to help them adapt to the new or upgraded VDI environment.
16. Future-Proofing: Consider future technology trends and scalability requirements. Plan for updates and enhancements to the VDI infrastructure as your organization evolves.
17. Vendor and Support Selection: Choose reliable vendors and support partners for your VDI solution. Assess their track record, responsiveness, and expertise in VDI technology.
18. Documentation and Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of configurations, policies, and procedures to aid in troubleshooting and future reference.

Planning a new or upgraded VDI infrastructure requires a holistic approach, involving IT, business, and end-users. Wouldn’t it be ideal if you could guarantee that your applications would function flawlessly, providing an optimal user experience even before going live, all while carefully managing costs and performance?

Ensure a Swift and Seamless VDI Rollout

Login Enterprise offers a robust platform that has assisted numerous organizations in shaping thousands of VDI environments. It ensures optimal user density and high-performing applications under all peak and stress conditions. Here are some more key advantages:

Cost Savings: Avoid unnecessary hardware and software investments.
Risk Mitigation: Lower the risk of deploying a solution that can’t handle the load.
Informed Decision-Making: Accelerate executive decision-making based on the confidence in a vetted solution.

With this platform, you can compare different technology stacks side by side, enabling you to select the best-suited technology stack for your specific workload characteristics and demands. Understand the potential impact during login storms, guaranteeing optimal application availability and user experience in your production environment.

Ready to learn more about Login Enterprise? Get your expert-led demo today!