VDI Deployment Solution – 9 Best Practices for Successful Infrastructure

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a technology enabling firms to access corporate apps and data remotely by hosting it on a central server. VDI drives businesses to function remotely and keep their operations running. The COVID-19 pandemic was the perfect example of the same when businesses could access their virtual desktops remotely. As a result, many companies survived the wrath of COVID-19 during the initial months of 2020.   

But, implementing VDI is no child’s play. The applied practice can be a make or break point while implementing new technology. Hence, you should keep yourself updated with modern methods and follow them to optimize your end-user VDI experience.  

Best Practices For Successful VDI Deployment

1. Understanding Your End-User

Before you deploy a VDI solution, it is essential to understand the requirements of your end users. Each business has unique requirements, which should be carefully assessed before VDI deployment. For example, a graphic designer needs heavy editing applications with high-performance computing servers, whereas a bookkeeper might need to access only basic accounting applications and mail. Such processes require configurational requirements. Hence, you can deploy a VDI solution to cater to their needs by assessing their computational needs. 

If you need a personalized VDI experience, get a custom quote. 

2. Manage Your Network Load

Each system is based on its computational resources for storage, memory, and performance in traditional desktop environments. VDI is based on a centralized database network for deploying Virtual Machines (VMs) or virtual desktops. It depends on regulatory protocols like Regulatory Data Protection (RDP), PC over IP (PCoIP), etc., for monitoring and regulating the data flow between the end-user and the data center.  

Your VDI deployment must have well-regulated network load management to handle all I/O tasks successfully. Any lapse can directly impact your user experience and undermine your VDI success.  

3. Maximize System Availability

A VDI solution holds a significant edge over the conventional desktop setup regarding resource allocation. Once the system goes down in a traditional desktop environment, so do its computational resources. Either you have to fix that particular desktop or manually transfer those resources to another system.  

However, in a VDI setup, each VM is based on virtualized resource allocation from a shared pool. So, even if a VM goes down, you can replicate it and create duplicate instances. Hence, for successful VDI deployment, it is advised to maintain abundant host machines. This ensures continuous system availability if any VM stops working or malfunctions.  

4. Use Case Personalization

VDI is of two types: persistent and non-persistent.   

• In persistent VDI, the data, applications, and configurational changes are saved after the user logs out.   
• In non-persistent VDI, the VM reverts to its original state after the user logs out. It is like accessing a new VM every time the user logs in.   

So, before you deploy a VDI solution, understand what type of VDI your organization needs. BPOs will be content with non-persistent VDI. In contrast, accounting firms require persistent VDI to keep their personalization intact.  

5. Secondary Data Center

Suppose you walk into your office one day only to see your data center damaged. Quite devastating, right? What would you do if you have a geographically isolated data center and it gets damaged? Thus, it is best to maintain a secondary data center as well.  

This way, you can access it even if your primary setup gets damaged. Another alternative is to go for cloud VDI from a reputed VDI provider. Reputed providers take care of all the IT and data backup hassles. They have numerous data centers and store multiple copies of your data for easy retrieval. 

6. Workforce Training and Communication

VDI helps you overcome multiple traditional desktop barriers and enjoy various benefits. But what if your employees are not able to use it correctly? Virtual desktops and their advanced functionalities can overwhelm your workforce and hamper their productivity. So, before you deploy a VDI solution, it is always better to communicate with them to comprehend users’ needs.  

Teach them about the fundamentals of VDI. What they should expect from it, and how it will replace traditional desktops. It is suggested to enroll an expert and answer all the Q&A to optimize the end-user experience.  

7. Thin Client Deployment

VDI helps you replace a traditional desktop environment with a thin client device for accessing your virtual desktops. It is a computer installed with a stripped-down OS. It is also comparatively cheaper than the VMs and works on less internal hardware.  

It would help if you managed all your thin client devices. Else, you wouldn’t be able to use your VDI resources to the fullest. For this, you can either set up your network of thin client devices or implement BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).

8. Continuous IT Support

Having a round-the-clock IT team helps you maximize the effectiveness of your VDI deployment. Instead of leaving your employees waiting, the responsiveness of round-the-clock IT support enables you to mitigate any issue. Their experience can play an instrumental role in training your employees. They also help in answering queries, educating your employees, and enforcing corporate policy. 

Furthermore, they can collect real-time metrics from your VDI setup. This helps further identify areas for a better end-user experience. Thus, it is advised to choose a VDI provider with continuous IT support that is easily accessible via phone, chat, and email.  

9. Consider Deployment Options

The success of your VDI solution dramatically depends upon the type of technology deployed. You can use Citrix, VMware, etc., for deploying and running a VDI setup. They have unique characteristics which may or may not meet your business needs. 

So, analyze your organizational needs before you opt for a deployment option. You can either take a demo or deploy it on a pilot basis. This way, you can monitor their impact on your business and act accordingly.  

VDI Deployment: Help Your Business Grow

VDI is a great solution that makes business processes smoother. A faultlessly deployed VDI solution enhances productivity and end-user experience. You should consider the points mentioned above before deploying your VDI solution.  

Ace Cloud Hosting offers a managed VDI solution for high-growth economies powering small to enterprise-level firms with flexibility, agility, security, and cost efficiency.  

Get in touch with our Solutions Consultant at 855-910-6927 now and know how you can get an enhanced VDI performance.