davidbieneman
Contributor
Contributor

Hello @esnmb.

When answering your question “Using Persistent vs. ProfileUnity”, I first ask/answer the question Why use Stateless Desktops and a Shared Image Strategy vs. Persistent desktops?  Then answer, why use ProfileUnity to extend VMware View Profile Manager / RTO.  I separated out the questions so you can see the value Stateless provides by itself and how ProfileUnity supports this strategy so you can make the best decision on how to virtualize your desktops per your needs.

Why implement a stateless shared image non-persistent desktop via VMware View Composer vs. a persistent VM?

There are cases where a persistent VDI desktop is a must.  However the question on why use a stateless desktop is usually centered around lowering initial cost, ongoing maintenance and delivering a consistent user experience.   Using stateless virtual desktops you can more easily implement desktop DR as you said, avoid desktop malware/spyware/corruption, lower storage footprint, lower storage costs (enabling you to buy faster performing storage) and provide a consistent, reliable, secure user workspace / virtual desktop.

At the same time you should strongly consider leveraging VMware Thinapp when designing your stateless shared image strategy.  With this method, you deploy the most basic image (example C:\Windows only image) and deliver departmental applications via Thinapp.  Additionally, a shared image strategy using Thinapp avoids 1:1 image maintenance and can minimize user disruption when upgrading applications.

In your question you also asked why use ProfileUnity vs. Persistent VM’s?

ProfileUnity extends the VMware View profile manager / RTO and allows migration to View and between physical and virtual dekstops, Manages Thinapps across physical, virtual and terminal server sessions, manages user persona with a flexible context aware filter mechanism and at VMworld 2011 we will demo capturing and deploying User Installed Applications to View and physical desktops and terminal server sessions.  You can easily turn ProfileUnity on or off in the View environment.

Here is a list of basics on how ProfileUnity migrates to and extends VMware View Profile Manager / RTO.

Migration

  • Supports both V1 to V2 (XP/7) operating system environments seamlessly
  • Bridges user settings across VMware, Terminal Services and physical PCs
  • Background migrates of legacy profiles and data to Windows 7 environments without interrupting / visiting each user
  • Automates Data Migration - harvest data from user authored areas then automatically invoke folder redirections for those areas

Thinapp Management

  • Offers VMware ThinApp entitlement and management
  • Allows VMware ThinApp caching for offline application use
  • Manages ThinApp Sandboxes among any Windows session – virtual or physical

Persona Management

  • Delivers users profile across VMware View, physical and terminal server desktops
  • Supports VMware View Profile Manager / RTO streaming
  • Enables the administrator to tune the profile and eliminate profile bloat
  • Provides location aware mapping of drives, printers, ThinApp applications, and more
  • Replaces the use of login scripts for mapped drives, printers, desktop shortcuts, etc.
  • Enables administrators to easily provision new user settings (Outlook MAPI, IE Proxy, Shortcuts, Registry Entries, etc.)
  • Includes software and hardware inventory, often used as a quick troubleshooting mechanism for help desks
  • Enables user / desktop DR; ProfileUnity profiles can be easily restored to an earlier or replicated version
  • No backend SQL or IIS servers; Small Linux VA
  • Web management interface keeping your desktop administrators out of AD/GPO’s; Consolidates management

UIA - Showing demo at VMworld 2011

  • Capture and deliver user installed applications within a stateless virtual desktop using view composer

I hope this completely answers your question and if you have further questions on how Liquidware Labs ProfileUnity supports VMware View, please contact support@liquidwarelabs.com or visit, www.liquidwarelabs.com.

Message was edited by: davidbieneman (grammer)

Message was edited by: davidbieneman yikes! --> (grammar)

David M. Bieneman Liquidware Labs http://www.liquidwarelabs.com/ http://www.vdi.com
Reply
0 Kudos