What Is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?

VDI is short for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, virtualization software that provides users with access to virtual desktops. You can think of VDI as on-demand software that gives you instant access to your desktop and applications, no matter where you are.

A VDI is hosted on a remote server that can be accessed when users request access over a network. You can access VDI through end-user devices including desktop computers, PCs, tablets, and smartphones.

Various types of VDI are used for a number of reasons, including lower hardware requirements, easier remote access for more mobile devices, faster configuration, and improved security management.

If you run a company and are wondering if you need a VDI solution, stay with us. In the upcoming section, we have a detailed context on the different types of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure best suited for businesses. Once you have decided which type of VDI is right for your business, look to our 100% secure solutions that can protect your data and eliminate deviations from organizational standards.

How do the different types of VDI work and who needs them?

All types of VDI run on two components: the hypervisor and the connection broker, both of which are located in the primary data center. A hypervisor is a medium that connects physical hardware to multiple virtual desktops from the OS. A connection broker is software that bridges the connection between an endpoint device and a desktop instance.

Different types of VDI come with dedicated hardware, networks and PoDs (ports of discharge). PoD determines the number of hosts using storage devices in the data center. This means that virtual desktop infrastructure solutions and system applications operate at their maximum capacity without overloading other parts of the data center.

Different types of VDI; Main differences, advantages, and disadvantages

Persistent/Personal Desktop

With the persistent type of VDI, you can connect as an admin to a unique and customizable desktop instance. You will be able to save your own settings, shortcuts, applications, files, images, etc. These types of VDI have many benefits, but they can cause unexpected problems, such as storage costs, management problems, and security and backup issues.

Persistent/Shared Desktop

By using a non-persistent VDI, you can connect to several identical desktops created from a single master image. You will not have administrator rights and will not be able to install applications; You don’t need high storage capacity.

Using a shared desktop means easier maintenance and reduced costs. Also, the best thing about this type of VDI is its high level of security. Each desktop only exists for one day; After logging off, all data is cleared, and the desktop will be recreated from the updated master image.

Which type of VDI is a good option for businesses?

Choosing from different types of VDI depends on the nature of your business. For example, if you run a call center company, a static VDI is your best option. In this instance, all your employees need to deal with the same requirements and specific software, so customizable desktops are not needed. Before browsing through the different types of VDI solutions, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

Does your business deal with confidential, classified or sensitive data?
Does your business need advanced features like cloud-based applications?
What kind of IT support do you offer your clients?
Do you expect to grow your business in the next 12-24 months?
Do you use graphics-intensive applications?
Are you planning to scale the network?
Do you need a mission-critical application for disaster recovery?

The more your business needs, the more customized your VDI solution needs to be. Some companies may prefer an on-premise Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
solution, but they will have to deal with constant maintenance issues that cost a fortune.

In addition, on-premise VDI solutions must be protected against disasters. Otherwise, you risk losing important data, which could cost your business or worse, lead to serious legal issues.

What Is AWS VDI?

AWS is short for Amazon Web Services. AWS VDI is Amazon’s unique and several-tenant cloud-based VDI, fully managed desktop as a service (DaaS). With Amazon Workspace, you can create Microsoft Windows desktops or Amazon Linux to access them from any endpoint device, regardless of hardware or OS.

Suppose you run a business & require a secure, standardized desktop for remote workers working from a separate infrastructure, Amazon’s VDI solution is a good option for you as it provides fast access to the desktop without overloading the OS. If you want to know about the best type of VDI, stay with the VDI solution comparison table.

Benefits of using best-in-class VDI

Some of the benefits of different types of VDI are now clear. But let’s go deeper to help you select your favorite from the VDI solution comparison section.

Eco-friendly Factor

Different types of VDI are resized like old PCs. A virtual desktop infrastructure provides users with remote and rapid access to a system’s applications without complex computing. So if you want a VDI solution or you want to make some extra money, you can make one out of your old laptop. If you don’t have the necessary skills, contact your IT friend from college and ask for help.

Ultimate Security

Provides endpoint access to all types of VDI users; All data is secured in the data center. So if your company’s security is breached or your personal computer is stolen, you don’t have to worry about losing important information.

Compatible workplace

Users appreciate consistency and functionality. VDI solutions provide standardized desktops, creating a sense of comfort for their users. Say your job requires you to move from the office to different parts of the city or even to different parts of the country and you don’t have a mobile device that you can take with you. (Not everyone has a Mac or a Microsoft Surface, right?) Using a VDI lets you get things done without having to familiarize yourself with a new desktop. VDI solutions can be your invisible and always present assistant.

No Configuration Scalability

Ready to scale your business and worried about the time-consuming configuring process of each app on your system? The best type of VDI expands with your business needs. So as your company expands, your employees can access all the necessary apps on virtual desktops and immediately support your clients’ needs.

BYOD-Friendly

BYOD is short for bringing your own device. If you do not want to spend thousands of dollars on PCs or all-in-one devices, you can use a VDI solution and have your employees bring their own devices. Configuration and data processing is done on a centralized server, so your employees can go to their virtual desktop and get on with their work.

VDI Solutions Comparison Table 2023

In this VDI solution comparison table, we introduce and compare the 10 best VDI software of 2023. By the end of this section, you should be able to find which type of VDI is best suited to your specific requirements.

VDI Software	Support	RDP	Multi-tenant	Ransomware Protection	Supported OS	Starting Price
Thinfinity Remote Workspace	Yes	Yes	No	No	WindowsMac	$60/Yr /Per Concurrent User
TruGrid	24/7	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows, Linux Red Hat, Linux, SUSE, Red Hat, CentOS, Solaris, AIX, OSX	$12/month/user
Flexiscale	24/7			Yes	Windows Server 2008,CentOS Linux 5.4 Debian Linux 5.0 Ubuntu Linux FreeBSD	$0.012
Kasm Work Spaces	Yes	No	No	Yes	Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Oracle, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS (Debian)	$5/user/month
V2 Cloud	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Windows, Mac	$40 per month
Citrix	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows	$12.00 per user per month
Amazon Workspace	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows, Linux, Mac	$7.25/month
Nerdio	Yes	No	Yes	No	Windows	$100 per month
Cameyo	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows	$12.00/month/user
Ace Cloud Hosting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows, Mac	$34.99 per user per month

10 Best Free VDI Solutions in 2023

Free VDI solutions are reliable, but they come with specific limitations. However, if you are looking for a reliable free VDI solution that can support a small number of users with an adequate level of security, these are our top recommendations:

Free VDI Solutions	Deployment	Supported OS	Support	Unique Features
Microsoft Azure	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows, Linux	Email, Live chat	DaaS API Lifecycle Management Data Migration
VirtualBox	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows, Linux, Mac	Email, Phone	DaaS Remote Access/Control VDI
Uranium Backup	Desktop	Windows	Email, chat	Disaster Recovery Cloud Backup Remote Server Options
Iperius Backup	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows, Mac	Email, Phone, chat	Bare-Metal Restore Secure Data Storage Virtual Machine Encryption
Awingu	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows	Email, Phone, chat	Two-Factor Authentication Virtual Machine Monitoring Disaster Recovery
Paperspace	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows, Mac	Email, Phone	Real-Time Monitoring Two-Factor Authentication Third-Party Integrations
Google Cloud Compute Engine	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows	Email, Phone, chat	Configuration Management Data Migration Virtual Machine Monitoring
EuVantage	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows	Email, Phone	Issue Auditing Maintenance Scheduling Self Service Portal
Hive Fabric	Desktop	Windows	Email, Phone	Remote Access/Control VDI Version Control
VirtEngine	IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS	Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, CoreOS, Windows	Email, Phone, chat	Credential Management Multi-Cloud Management Disaster Recovery
Ace Cloud Hosting	Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based	Windows, Linux, Mac	Email, Phone, chat	Multi-Device Support Configuration Management Cloud Encryption

Here are examples of different businesses that can get started with free VDI solutions:

Startups

If you’re starting a new business, you want to cut unnecessary expenses. You should invest your capital in developing your products or improving your services while using a free VDI solution to accelerate your growth.

Financial entity

Financial and equity firms are all about scaling, rapid growth, and rapid transformation. Free VDI solutions provide them with a standardized desktop environment to make the company’s custom software accessible to all new hires.

Seasonal business

The last thing seasonal organizations need to deal with is the IT department when virtual desktops need to be added or removed. Free VDI solutions may be limited in offering certain features, but they are the best option for project-based businesses.

Let’s say your business falls into one of these categories In that case, you can start with a free VDI solution and switch to a premium solution after you’ve cleared your startup costs.

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David Jonson