In the VDI model, a hardware virtualization layer is added to the data center server (or servers) in place of a more traditional operating system. This virtualization layer provides numerous virtual machines (VMs), each with an operating system, applications, device configurations, and a unique desktop environment (or graphical user interface [GUI], including customizations such as Windows wallpaper and screen savers) for each user (see Figure 1). Because the VM is a complete instance of a PC, the user session functions just as a locally run version of the operating system would.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Use Cases
 With VDI, a user can run any earlier, off-the-shelf, or custom application without modification. VDI works well for unique desktops or applications that have unusual system requirements; earlier applications that would need to be rewritten or that simply do not run in other server-based computing (SBC) environments can be run as-is with VDI.
VDI can enhance a company’s disaster recovery (DR) plan. In the case of a disaster, be it natural or electronic, secure and continued access to the organization’s desktop environments is critical to reduce disruption. With VDI, hosted desktops in VMs can be easily moved or redeployed to ensure quick recovery and business continuity.
Today’s highly mobile workforce is placing increasing demands for corporate data access from remote locations. VDI enables employees using mobile devices to securely access their desktops, along with their authorized applications and associated data, without the risk of compromising corporate assets if their devices are lost or stolen.
VDI bridges the gap between the users’ desire to have a personalized, isolated desktop experience and the IT administrators’ need to maintain a secure, centrally controlled and managed computing environment. Outsourced or offshore activities (call center operations, order and back-office processing, or software development, for example) can be managed and maintained within the secure confines of the corporate data center, and users still have their own desktop environments. IT administrators can grant users controlled access to confidential information and intellectual property while protecting sensitive information.
The AMD Difference...
The performance of a VDI solution can be enhanced with AMD hardware. Large numbers of VMs mean large memory requirements. The AMD Opteron processor, with its increased memory addressability and high memory bandwidth, can support a large number of concurrent, memory-intensive VMs.
Some key AMD advantages for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environments include:
- More VMs per server
Direct Connect Architecture helps eliminate the bottlenecks because everything is directly connected to the CPU—the processors, integrated memory controller, and I/O connect directly to the CPU and communicate at CPU speeds.
Integrated Memory Controller is designed to improve performance on memory-intensive virtualization environments through high bandwidth, low latency, and scalable access to memory.
HyperTransport™ technology optimizes the movement of data and the sharing of resources among VMs for greater system scalability.
- Better Performance in Virtualized Environments
Rapid Virtualization Indexing, an enhancement to AMD-V technology, is designed to increase the performance of the most demanding virtualized applications through hardware-assisted memory management.
Address space IDs (ASIDs) decrease context switching overheads and increase the performance of VMs.
- Increased Responsiveness in Virtualized Environments
Tagged Translation Look-aside Buffer (TLB) addresses switching times between VMs by mapping to the VMs’ individual memory spaces.
- More Efficient Security
The Device Exclusion Vector (DEV) controls access to VM memory based on permission, isolating VMs for secure operation.
- Smooth Upgrades
The AMD common-core strategy, same-socket infrastructure, and stable, long-term road map makes it possible to perform seamless upgrades of processor technology, helping IT administrators minimize the cost of transitions and maximize past investments in hardware, software, and personnel.
For more information on the AMD server difference click here.
For more information on the AMD client difference click here.
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