RDS

Behind the curtain

Leigh Haynes , , ,

For those that are interested in the technology behind the Cloud Desktop, here is a high level diagram of the Remote Desktop Services Architecture that makes the magic possible.

Cloud Desktop High Level Architecture
Cloud Desktop High Level Architecture

The servers that power the solution are the latest Gen8 model from HP. Each server blade has dual 8-core multithreaded processors (giving a total of 32 CPUs presented), 64GB of RAM and dual solid state drives for high I/O. Each blade has been specified to host up to 180 user sessions. The solution can be easily scaled-out by simply adding another blade.

Library go live

Leigh Haynes , , , , ,

The new University of Lincoln Cloud Desktop is now live and available to all from the Cloud Desktop Terminals on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors in the GCW Library. In total, 265 PCs have been replaced with silent running, highly energy and space efficient thin client devices.

As soon as we released the terminals for use, students started logging on and using the new desktop. We have prepared a brief one-sheet Getting Started guide for the Cloud Desktop which has been distributed throughout the Library. However most students seemed to be happily working away without needing to consult the guide at all.

GCW Cloud Desktop Terminal

Cloud Desktop

Leigh Haynes , , , , , ,

As we approached go live, we realised that we needed a name for this new desktop service. It didn’t seem right just to call it “The Windows 7 Desktop”, as the anytime, anywhere, centralised approach we have taken offers so much more than the traditional name implies. Also, although the technical solution currently provides a Windows 7 experience with Office 2010, it has the flexibility to move to newer versions much easier than a traditional desktop. New versions of both Windows and Office are always on the horizon and so we want a name which also has the same flexibility as the underlying solution. The obvious choices would be things like Remote Desktop and Virtual Desktop but these terms may not be known by everyone. Then there are the technical acronyms; VDI and RDS, which are just horrible.

In the end we decided to go for, University of Lincoln Cloud Desktop, as we felt if both captured the features of the service and our aspirations for the future. Also, the cloud concept is one that many people already understand and can easily relate to. To go with the name we wanted a fresh, clean brand which embodies our new modern, streamlined desktop. I hope you like it.Cloud Desktop

Why VDI?

Leigh Haynes , , , ,

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is an alternative method for delivering desktops to end users. A virtual desktop looks and acts like a traditional PC but, instead of residing locally, all software and data are housed in the University’s central data centres and offered as an “internal cloud” service. The Windows 7 Project will use server hosted desktop technology which offers numerous advantages in terms of cost savings, security, resilience, flexibility and reduced management.

For a comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of traditional PCs vs VDI check out; Why VDI?

ITT Issued

Leigh Haynes , , , , ,

Although the blog has been a little quiet, much work has been continuing in the background and procurement cogs have been turning. Today we issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) seeking a Solution Provider with the appropriate product range, experience and competitive pricing who will act as a partner in delivering the new centralised desktop. The selected Solution Provider will be required to supply hardware, software and associated professional services; consultancy, architecture design, project management, knowledge transfer and training. The tender is being issued under the SUPC National Server and Storage Agreement framework.