Before discussing different types of VDI, let’s talk about what VDI is.
What Is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?
VDI is short for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, virtualization software that provides users access to virtual desktops. You can think of different types of VDI as on-demand software that grants you immediate access to your desktop and applications, regardless of where you are.
A VDI is hosted on a remote server which can be accessed when users request access over a network. You can access VDI via end-user computing devices, including desktop computers, PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
Organizations use different types of VDI for many reasons, including lower hardware requirements, easier remote access for more mobile devices, faster configuration, and enhanced security management. If you run a company and are wondering whether you need VDI solutions or not, stay with us until the end.
In the upcoming sections, we have a detailed paragraph about different types of VDI that are best suited for businesses. Once you decide which types of VDI are a good fit for your business, keep a look out for our 100% secure solution that can protect your data and eliminate deviation from organizational standards.
How Do Different Types of VDI Work & Who Needs Them?
All types of VDI run on two components: the hypervisor and the connection broker, both stationed in the primary data center. The hypervisor is the medium that connects physical hardware from the OS to multiple virtual desktops. The connection broker is software that builds the connection bridge between an endpoint device and a desktop instance.
Different types of VDI come with dedicated hardware, network, and PoD (Port of Discharge). PoD determines the number of hosts using the data center’s storage devices. This means that VDI solutions and system applications perform at their highest capacity without overloading other parts of the data center.
Different Types of VDI; Main Difference, Pros, & Cons
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Persistent/Personal Desktop
With persistent types of VDI, you can connect to a unique and customizable desktop instance as an admin. You will be able to store your own settings, shortcuts, applications, files, images, etc. These types of VDI have many advantages, but they might cause unforeseen troubles, such as storage costs, management issues, and security and backup problems.
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Nonpersistent/Shared Desktop
By using a nonpersistent VDI, you can connect to several identical desktops created from a single master image. You won’t have admin rights and cannot install applications; you won’t require high storage capacity. Using a shared desktop means easier maintenance and lower costs. Also, the best thing about these types of VDI is their high level of security. Each desktop exists for only one day; after logging off, all data is cleared, and the desktop will be re-created from the updated master image.
Which Types of VDI Are a Good Option for Businesses?
Choosing from different types of VDI comes down to the nature of your business. For example, a nonpersistent VDI is your best option if you run a call center company. In this instance, all of your employees need the same requirements and deal with specific software, so there is no need for customizable desktops.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before browsing through different types of VDI solutions:
- Does your business deal with confidential, classified, or sensitive information?
- Does your business require advanced features like cloud-based applications?
- What kind of IT support do you offer to your clients?
- Do you expect your business to grow in the next 12-24 months?
- Do you use graphics-intensive applications?
- Do you plan on network scaling?
- Do you require any mission-critical applications for disaster recovery?
The more needs your business has, the more customizable your VDI solution needs to be. Some companies may prefer on-premise VDI solutions, but they constantly have to deal with maintenance issues that cost a lot of money. Also, on-premise VDI solutions need to be protected against disasters. Otherwise, you risk losing important data, which can cost you your business or, even worse, cause serious legal problems.
What Is AWS VDI?
AWS is short for Amazon Web Services. AWS VDI is Amazon’s unique and multi-tenant cloud-based VDI, a fully managed Desktop as a Service (DaaS). With Amazon Workspace, you can create Amazon Linux or Microsoft Windows desktops and access them from any endpoint device, regardless of hardware or OS.
Suppose you run a business and need a secure, standardized desktop for remote employees working from a different infrastructure. In that case, Amazon’s VDI solution is the best option for you because it provides fast access to desktops without overloading the OS.
Stay tuned for the VDI solutions comparison table if you want to learn about the best types of VDI.
Advantages of Using the Best Types of VDI
Some of the advantages of different types of VDI are clear now. But let’s go deeper to help you choose your favorite one from the VDI solutions comparison section.
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Eco-friendly Factor
Different types of VDI are like re-shaped old PCs. A virtual desktop infrastructure offers users remote and fast access to a system’s applications without complex computing. So if you want a VDI solution or you are looking to make some extra money, you can make one from your old laptop. If you don’t have the required expertise, reach out to your IT buddy from college and ask for help.
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Ultimate Security
All types of VDI provide users with endpoint access; all data is secure in the data center. So if your company has a security breach or your private computer gets stolen, you won’t have to worry about losing critical information.
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Consistent Workspace
Users appreciate consistency and functionality. VDI solutions provide standardized desktops, which create a sense of comfort for their users. Say your job requires you to move back and forth from the office to different parts of the city or even the country, and you don’t have a mobile device you can take with you. (Not everyone has a Mac or a Microsoft Surface, right?) Using a VDI allows you to get your tasks done without having to familiarize yourself with new desktops. VDI solutions can be your invisible and ever-present assistants.
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No Configuration Scalability
Ready to scale your business and worried about the time-consuming configuring process of every app on your system? The best types of VDI expand with your business’s needs. So as your company expands, your employees can access all the essential apps on a virtual desktop and support your clients’ needs immediately.
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BYOD-Friendly
BYOD is short for Bring Your Own Device. If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on PCs or All-in-One devices, you can use a VDI solution and ask your employees to bring their own devices. The configuration and data processing is done on a centralized server, so your staff can hop on their virtual desktop and get on with their tasks.
VDI Solutions Comparison Table 2023
In this VDI solutions comparison table, we introduce and compare the top 10 VDI software in 2023. By the end of this section, you will be able to find which types of VDI are best suited for your specific needs.
VDI Software | Support | RDP | Multi-tenant | Ransomware Protection | Supported OS | Starting Price |
Thinfinity Remote Workspace | Yes | Yes | No | No | Windows
Mac |
$60/Yr /Per Concurrent User |
TruGrid | 24/7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux Red Hat, Linux, SUSE, Red Hat, CentOS, Solaris, AIX, OSX | $12/month/user |
Flexiscale | 24/7 | Yes | Windows Server 2008,
CentOS Linux 5.4 Debian Linux 5.0 Ubuntu Linux FreeBSD |
$0.012 | ||
Kasm Workspaces | Yes | No | No | Yes | Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Oracle, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS (Debian) | $5/user/month |
V2 Cloud | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Windows, Mac | $40 per month |
Citrix | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows | $12.00 per user per month |
Amazon Workspace | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux, Mac | $7.25/month |
Nerdio | Yes | No | Yes | No | Windows | $100 per month |
Cameyo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows | $12.00/month/user |
Ace Cloud Hosting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac | $34.99 per user per month |
Top 5 Open Source VDI Solution in 2023
Having an open source VDI solution will give your developers the boost of energy they need to be their most productive and creative version. Other benefits that come with choosing an open source VDI solution are:
- Simple business operations
- Easier management
- Secure cloud access
- Enhanced user experience
- Cost-efficient
- Easy implementation of future hypervisors
- Enhanced transparency
If you want the best open source VDI solution, here are our top suggestions:
Open source VDI Solution | Supported OS | Cloud Platforms Support | Virtual Machine Migration | Guest Operating Systems |
Red Hat Virtualization | Windows, Mac, Linus | Yes | Supported | Supported |
Vagrant | Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, Microsoft Windows | No | Supported | Supported |
Xen Project | GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, MINIX, Windows OS | Yes | Supported | Supported |
OpenVZ | Linux | Yes | Supported | Supported |
Oracle VM VirtualBox | Windows, Linux, Mac, Solaris | Yes | Supported | Supported |
If you are looking for a reliable source to gather more information about OpenVZ, make sure to read our blog post about KVM and OpenVZ.
Top 10 Free VDI Solutions in 2023
Free VDI solutions are reliable, but they come with certain limitations. However, if you are looking for reliable free VDI solutions that can support few users with an adequate level of security, these are our top suggestions:
Free VDI Solutions | Deployment | Supported OS | Support | Unique Features |
Microsoft Azure | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows, Linux | Email, Live chat |
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VirtualBox | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows, Linux, Mac | Email, Phone |
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Uranium Backup | Desktop | Windows | Email, chat |
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Iperius Backup | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows, Mac | Email, Phone, chat |
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Awingu | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows | Email, Phone, chat |
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Paperspace | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows, Mac | Email, Phone |
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Google Cloud Compute Engine | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows | Email, Phone, chat |
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EuVantage | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows | Email, Phone |
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Hive Fabric | Desktop | Windows | Email, Phone |
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VirtEngine | IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS | Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, CoreOS, Windows | Email, Phone, chat |
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Ace Cloud Hosting | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based | Windows, Linux, Mac | Email, Phone, chat |
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Here are examples of different businesses that can start with free VDI solutions:
Startups
If you’re starting a new business, you’re all about reducing unnecessary costs. You should invest your capital in developing your products or improving your services while using free VDI solutions to speed up your growth.
Financial Entities
Financial and equity firms are all about scaling, fast growth, and fast transitions. Free VDI solutions provide them with standardized desktop environments so they can make the company’s custom software accessible to all new hires.
Seasonal Businesses
The last thing seasonal companies need is dealing with the IT department when they need to add or remove virtual desktops. Free VDi solutions may be limited in providing some features, but they are the best option for project-based businesses.
Suppose your business falls into one of these categories. In that case, you can start with free VDI solutions and switch to premium ones after amortizing your startup costs.
Reliable, high-performance RDP servers with 99.95 uptime. Take your desktop on the go to all the major cities in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Enjoy a Fully Encrypted VDI Solution with Cloudzy RDP VPS
RDP is short for Remote Desktop Protocol, a Microsoft protocol that monitors and secures applications and data transfer. If you use Cloudzy RDP VPS with the best types of VDI, you will have an impenetrable and 100% secure desktop that no hacker can infiltrate. Imagine having several security walls on your virtual desktop, each more guarded than the next; that’s what an RDP VPS will do.
We offer one of our best RDP packages at a competitive price; this is your chance to protect your business against every possible cyber threat. We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase, and that’s why we offer a 7-day money-back guarantee on all our cloud VPS services.
FAQ
Are all types of VDI reliable?
Most types of VDI solutions are reliable, but if you care about that extra level of security, it’s best to use RDP while running your VDI to eliminate security threats, such as ransomware, malware, and network sniffing.
Is an open source VDI solution safe?
Yes. An open source VDI solution might sound like a vulnerable virtual environment ready to be attacked by hackers, but the VDI solutions mentioned in the “Top 5 Open Source VDI Solution in 2023” section, provide great levels of security.
Are on-premise VDI solutions expensive?
Yes. On premise VDI solutions require ongoing maintenance; you will need top-level IT experts and a big budget to cover hardware, server, or data center failures.
Do free VDI solutions have limitations?
Yes. Free VDI solutions have great features that can cope with the demands of a new and small business. Still, to experience the best VDI experience, you need to look for other types of VDI that don’t cause a backup glitch, security issues, or downtime.
Do I need VPS for using different types of VDI?
No, you don’t need a VPS to use VDI solutions. However, if you use free VDI solutions, VPS is a great and cost-effective security tool you can use to eliminate security problems and data leakage.
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