Loading ...I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about server virtualization – and rightfully so. The benefits are undeniable. But, client virtualization is something that I’m also passionate about. In fact, I’ve blogged about how I, along with other industry experts, am predicting a bright future for this market. Well, I’ve got exciting news for you: the future is now.
To me, today’s launch of Windows 7 represents a turning point. The benefits for client virtualization have been clear in the enterprise for a while: you can remotely manage a fleet of PCs, empowering your staff with greater flexibility when accessing information and you can potentially save costs on individual hardware for hundreds, or thousands of employees, depending of course on the size of your organization. For SMBs, the cost savings and direct impact was less clear, and for consumers it just hasn’t been something that’s ever truly broken into the mainstream.
But now, with Windows 7, every user can – and should – benefit from client virtualization. Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company with offices around the world, a small start up with 5 employees, or simply a consumer looking to get more out of your PC – there’s something for everyone here.
Let me explain.
SMBs around the world that rely on Windows are undoubtedly considering the upgrade to Windows 7. However, an upgrade process can be costly, time-intensive and complicated when you’re trying to make certain all of your business-critical applications will migrate. With Windows 7, SMBs can rely on XP Mode enabled via AMD-VTM virtualization technology to ensure their Windows XP applications can be used as part of their new Windows 7 OS.
Consumers can also benefit from XP Mode for the same compatibility reasons, but also for added security and customization, as XP allows them the freedom to operate a completely separate OS. This can assist with balancing work information and documents with home information and documents, or can allow you to deploy a separate OS (say, for children) to ensure your critical files are safe.
Consumers and business users alike want access to documents saved on their PC while they’re on the go. That’s where solutions like Citrix XenDesktop4 become so crucial with Windows 7. As Aimee Catalano wrote on our blog earlier this week, “This enables complete workplace flexibility, business continuity and user mobility.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. At AMD, we’re very focused on addressing today’s PC lifestyle, which includes both what users do on their PC, and how they access their applications and information.
It’s an exciting time to be in this industry. Multi-core hardware is more advanced than ever, the software keeps getting better and better and virtualization is at the core of how these new solutions allow dynamic user experiences. I’m predicting very big things for the client virtualization market not only in the coming years – but starting right now.
Margaret Lewis (@margaretjlewis) is a Product Marketing Director at AMD. Her postings are her own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
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#1 by Collin C. MacMillan - October 22nd, 2009 at 11:54
Margaret:
Microsoft’s use of Virtual PC to enable “XP Mode” – as a “built-in” feature in the Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate versions of Windows 7 – will introduce virtualization to a new class of user. For the most part, XP Mode will make the use of these applications transparent to the user – “virtually” masking the use of the virtualization technology completely.
As your article suggests, this “silent adoption” should go a long way to bringing desktop virtualization methods into the realm of the familiar for its users. We may all look back and credit Microsoft – with its application of an 8-year old technology – as the Pied Piper of Virtualization. While it took nearly a decade for server virtualization to become accepted in corporate IT, XP Mode’s viral distribution may finally bring virtualization from “fear word” to “savior” in the vox populi.
If the XP Mode user experience is “positive” then significant social barriers to desktop virtualization could fall “overnight.” While not strictly required, end-user buy-in for desktop virtualization can significantly reduce implementation time-lines and drastically reduce IT support loads. This usher’s in new opportunities for VDI solutions like Citrix XenDesktop4 or VMware’s upcoming View 4.0 in the enterprise.
The “hidden gotcha” in XP Mode is CPU compatibility. For AMD-based laptops and workstations, this is almost a non-issue since only the low-end Sempron has models missing the critical AMD-V technology to make XP Mode work. However, that’s only 25% of the market – the other 75% will need to consult a feature list to determine if Intel-VT – and hence XP Mode – is supported on their platform. With the exception of the i-series processors, all of Intel’s Core (and older) series have a significant number of models without the needed VT component.
Suffice to say, AMD processors are much more of a “batteries included” platform for Windows 7 users relying on XP Mode’s promise – especially where present Vista and XP users are concerned. I’d hate to look back at Q4/2009 and say “that’s the time end-users got a bad taste for virtualization due to rampant – and short sighted – CPU incompatibility.” Instead I am hopeful that we are ushering in the “Dawn of the Age of Client Virtualization” as you suggest.
Stay passionate!
Collin C. MacMillan
Solution Oriented LLC
http://blog.solori.net
#2 by Nathan Darling - October 27th, 2009 at 15:54
Client virtualization is untapped largely because it is not really understood by the majority of computer users. I have tried to dumb it down in my blog, but eventually everyone will catch on. For now, its still mainly for IT consultants, and its getting to the point where the job can’t be done without a VMWare Certified Professional VCP-310 Certification.
#3 by themadpeacock - November 9th, 2009 at 10:15
Security is a big issue for many companies and industries but I have found that as SaaS and cloud computing in general become more widespread it often creeps into the company unnoticed.
I was at a company reluctant to move its email server into the cloud “for security reasons”. A quick audit of the systems in use revealed that the sales and accounting teams were already using SaaS solutions; all the company’s financial transactions and all its client interactions/contracts/support were already virtual.
Getting over the security fear of externalizing the email server was easy at that point.
Look around your organization, perhaps someone has fought and won the cloud computing battle already so you don’t have to.