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Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a desktop virtualization usually provided by a Cloud Service Provider (CSP). The back-end or image of a desktop PC is hosted from a data center or server, rather than from a local desktop computer. Users can access the virtual desktops remotely from multiple devices.

From the server end, they are hosted on a Virtual Machine controlled by a centralized management software. From the user’s end, it can be accessed remotely from any location through a VDI client software. The Virtual machines which manage the client are in turn monitored by a Hypervisor.

Virtual desktop infrastructure is a virtualization approach for desktop systems in a data center that runs and operates a desktop operating system, typically Microsoft Windows. The desktop image is distributed over a network to a remote computer, allowing the client to communicate with the OS and its programs as if they were locally functioning. The end user can be desktop PC, mobile device or even a thin client device.

VDI is different from Cloud Desktop as a Service Model (DaaS), in which the back-end of a VDI is managed by a Cloud Service Provider. If we assess the main features of both, these services turn out to be the same. The main difference underlying between them is that the DaaS is deployed off-premise while the VDI is installed in-house or on premise.

At times, a VDI is preferred even over a DaaS infrastructure due to the following major reasons:-

Advanced Security of the Data through top-tiered and secured infrastructure
Offers mobility and accessibility through any featured available device.
Option of data storage scalability and back up in case of natural disasters.
When the requisite infrastructure has been procured, the entity can use the infrastructure free of charge as all the infrastructure is owned.

How does VDI work?

Virtual Desktops are allocated within Virtual Machines monitored by Hypervisors
Within each Virtual Desktop, an Operating System is installed.
The VMs are host-based, meaning multiple instances of them can be housed on the same server within the data center
End clients must be constantly connected to the centrally managed server in order to maintain access to the virtualized desktops it’s hosting
Upon successful access of the VDI environment, the connection broker finds a virtual desktop within the resource pool for each client to connect to
Meanwhile, a hypervisor creates, runs and manages the various host machine VMs that encapsulate the individual virtual desktop environments.

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