Background
In the Fall of 2013, Information Technology Services solidified a plan to introduce Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to the campus community. VDI stores computer images on college servers to provide students, faculty and staff with a full desktop experience from campus computers and to provide faculty and staff remote access while dramatically increasing the efficiency with which ITS can respond to help requests. (Directions for remote access are forthcoming.)
Engagement
ITS selected VMware Professional Services as its partner to support the deployment of VDI to the campus community. First, VMWare provided the college with a comprehensive VDI plan including a comprehensive architectural design for VMware View, the software that is used to deploy each desktop. After gathering solution requirements and defining specific use-cases, the VMware Professional Services team provided ITS with in-depth implementation guidance as well as recommended protocols for installation and configuration tasks, day-to-day operations, design verification and implementation assistance services.
Positive Impacts/Goals
- Agile Environment/User Experience
With VDI, virtual desktops can be built, deployed, patched and managed from one central location rather than requiring services to be completed for each classroom, lab and office location separately. This increases efficiency and flexibility for our end users and the campus community while delivering critical software application updates and fixes within hours instead of days or weeks. In short, VDI allows ITS to maintain the college’s computer infrastructure in a more streamlined manner and increases the efficiency with which ITS can respond to user help requests.
- Computer Replacement Cycles
ITS previously allocated STP funds every three years to replace all ACE computers. As ACE machines were replaced, they were repurposed as office computers for the campus. One goal in deploying VDI is to eliminate the need for the replacement cycle in areas that deploy the “Standard ACE” (Classroom) and “Office” image. The ITS department will continue to replace equipment in areas that require specialty builds (i.e. Technology, Digital Media, Dental Hygiene, CAAT, etc.) and where software requires specialized hardware (e.g. CAD/CAM, etc.). By implementing VDI, the ITS department will help the college realize significant savings on hardware replacement and Windows licensing costs.
- Security of Information
A VDI deployment offers many options for securing virtual desktops.
- End users access their virtual desktops from on- and off-campus, while data and resources remain within the data center. This reduces the risk associated with the loss or theft of mobile devices.
- VDI images can be patched immediately for zero-day security threats.
- VDI is resilient to power and network interruptions preserving your virtual desktop session and its data.
- VDI images are scanned for viruses at the data center and not at the workstation.
Deployment Update
ITS began the deployment of VDI in the Summer of 2014 in strategic service locations to confirm its efficacy, usability, efficiency, and to assess end user satisfactions. With a few modifications to the original implementation plan, ITS is now poised to deploy the next phase of VDI, including faculty and staff offices and a limited rollout in the ACE for Summer 2015. Deployment will continue through the Fall.
Information sessions will be held for the campus community on Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6 in the Center for Effective Teaching to provide faculty and staff an opportunity to experience VDI and ask questions. Session times will be e-mailed to all employees.
Published: Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:07:49 +0000 by s.garrand