Desktop virtualization

In computing, Desktop Virtualization involves separating the physical location where the PC desktop resides from where the user is accessing the PC from, typically remotesly. The remotely accessed PC is typically either located at home, at the office or in a data center.

There are four (4) distinct methods of desktop virtualization today:

 1) Single Remote Desktop - in this model, a single desktop PC is accessed remotely across a network connection using remote PC access software, such as GoToMyPC, WebEx, PCAnywhere, Windows Remote Desktop, VNC and other similar methods.

 2) Shared Desktops - in this model, a multi-user server PC environment like Citrix and Terminal Services are used to host many users who all "share" a common PC desktop environment together.  In this case, it's generally possible to host up to a few hundred desktop sessions on powerful server hardware.

 3) Virtual Machine Desktops - in this model, virtual machine technology is used to host multiple instances of a standard, single-user desktop PC operating system (e.g., Windows XP).  In this case, it's generally possibly to host a few dozen desktop sessions on powerful server hardware.

 4) Physical PC blade Desktops - in this model, "client blade" PC's are used host multiple independent user sessions, each one running on its own physical PC blade.  In this case, it's possible to host as many client PC blades as you have rack space, power and data center space to accomodate.

Each of these virtualized desktop models have their specific advantages and limitations. The most common case is simply needing to access a single PC machine's desktop remotely over a network. When many user desktops need to be hosted and managed centrally, that's where the Shared, VM and Physical Desktop models come into play.

Desktop Virtualization is a growing marketplace, driven by many different factors, including people's needs to work remotely for various reasons (e.g., tele-working, mobile sales, outsourcing), and companies needs to maintain control over their computing assets and intellectual property that's running on business desktops.