VMware View - 26

VMware is pleased to announce  that the new version of VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, including VMware Virtual Desktop Manager, is currently in the “Release Candidate�? status . Beta applications are still being accepted on a limited basis, depending on availability and the partner or customer feedback needed.  To register please visit this link. As attendee of VMworld Europe 2008 you have the opportunity to not just visit a great selection of break-out sessions, but also get ‘your hands dirty’ with the hands-on labs. The “VMware VDI - Explore the Benefits of Centralized Desktop Management “ lab will help you to understand how to centralize desktop IT, using VMware VDI. You will get the opportunity to configure a VMware VDI environment based on VMware VI3, VDM 2 and VirtualCenter. This lab is self-paced allowing participants to spend as much time as required to explore and test the different configuration options of the VMware VDM 2 connection broker. Vmware’s team of experts will be on-hand, if required, to help guide you through the configurations and associated use cases of VMware VDI. This lab will allow you to experience firsthand what is possible with the VMware VDI solution.

I was a bit curious about the Net2Display release date because there is a great change that VMware will drop RDP in favour of the new Net2Display standard for its upcoming Virtual Desktop Manager 2 product. I contacted a Net2Display Chair member. Dr. Kenneth Ocheltree over at IBM Research told me that they are making progress in the standard but still have a number of areas to complete before the standard is ready for the VESA approval process. He is targeting to have the standard completed in the first half of 2008. As Net2Display is a VESA standard, it is available only to VESA member companies during the development process and will be generally available when it is an approved standard.

I was one of the speakers at the Dutch VMUG event, my presentation covers the introduction to the installation and administration of VMware Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM). VDM is a connection broker for VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). It connects users to virtual desktops running on VMware Virtual Infrastructure (VI), and plays a critical role in security, access control, and overall desktop management. VMware VDM integrates with Active Directory and VirtualCenter to manage and deploy desktops to end users. VDM also provides a client that enables users to connect to virtual desktops using either a Windows PC or thin client. VDM provides a secure environment for deploying and accessing virtual desktops and leverages existing Active Directory functionality for authentication and login. You need the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 to open my presentation.

  Photo taken by Viktor van den Berg

I’m running on Red Bull the past few days. My VMUG presentation is nearly ready, the image shows a glimpse of it. I’m going to talk about Virtual Desktop infrastructure, in particular my presentation will take a close look at VMware VDM2, the Virtual Desktop Manager that will be launched by VMware next year. Besides the presentation I created a video leader that will be used for the video footage I’m going to collect during this event. Some numbers, the Dutch VMware User Group Event 2007 has 400 attendees, 14 sessions, 11 sponsors and two parallel labs. Be aware of someone who wants an interview with you ;-) See you next Friday.

WP over at the Virtual Desktop Blog was so slammed at VMworld over the last week that he haven’t had the time to let everyone know the Beta 1 for VDM 2.0 is now available. VDM 2.0 is a sesion broker for VDI deployments offered by VMware and is built from the Propero technology they acquired back in April of this year.

Silverstone is going to be the name of the new VMware VDI solution. If you want to join the private beta program, the only thing you have to do is applying by scanning your VMworld badge at the following product booth. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (Product: Silverstone) Product booths are located in the Solutions Exchange and will be open: Tuesday, Sept. 11th 10:30am-4pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm Wednesday, Sept 12th 9:30am-5pm Thursday, Sept 13th 9:30am-2pm