Dell and Microsoft continue to work together by introducing a flexible, cost effective, end-to-end desktop and application virtualization solution targeting mid-market

Customers considering implementing desktop virtualization solutions may have a preferred software vendor in mind and, in many cases, value open and flexible solutions that allow the freedom of choice. One of the core differentiators of Dell Cloud Client Computing is the ability to adapt to customers’ preferences. Consistent with this core value, Dell is pleased to announce one more member of the Desktop Virtualization Solution (DVS) family, enhancing the current portfolio of solutions.

Dell DVS Enterprise for Windows Server 2012 fully takes advantage of the new VDI functionalities brought by Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (WS2012) Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Windows Server Hyper-V, Microsoft Application Virtualization and RemoteFX.

The solution is aimed at SMB organizations with an IT team familiar with Microsoft products and tools and existing Microsoft volume licensing such as Software Assurance. This solution is also well suited for customers in the education and government sectors, as well as for branch offices of larger corporations.

DVS Enterprise for Windows Server 2012 is ideal for customers who want to take advantage of application virtualization, enabled for Microsoft RemoteApp, using Remote Desktop Session Hosting (RDSH, formerly known as Terminal Services), as well as pooled or personal virtual machines (VMs). Windows Server 2012 provides a centralized management platform to deliver any type of hosted desktop, making it simple to deploy and easy to manage. The Windows Server 2012 Server Manager provides a scenario-focused wizard that simplifies the task of setting up a complete RDS deployment through a “single pane of glass”. This wizard sets up all the roles needed for a RDS deployment, configures each server role correctly to communicate with the other roles, and walks you through creating your first virtual desktop or terminal session, making the wizard ideal for POC development or first-time VDI users.

This solution initially targets projects with up to about 600 VDI seats (pooled VMs/RDVH) or 1040 remote desktop sessions (Terminal Servers sessions/RDSH); in the future it will be extended to several thousand seats.

DVS Enterprise for Windows Server 2012 is pretested and preconfigured to run on Dell datacenter hardware, namely PowerEdge 12G R720 rack servers, Dell EqualLogic storage arrays and a Dell Force10 top-of-rack (ToR) networking switch. It comes with Windows Server 2012 software pre-installed in the Dell factory and includes server licensing and services. The power of this new solution is that customers have a choice of deployment in a mixed environment with Terminal Services and VDI (personal or pooled VMs) or App-V, all of this from a single and fully integrated management console. With the integration of application virtualization to the solution, customers who only want to deliver a few applications virtually can now do this at a very reasonable cost, without the need to implement a fully-featured VDI environment.

The solution is also tested to work with a range of Dell Wyse thin and mobile clients, including the R10L, D90D7, Z90D7 and X90m7. These are certified RemoteFX enabled, ensuring a rich end user experience.

The whole solution comes along with Dell Services. Dell ProSupport Services provides a 3-year support agreement on both hardware and software. Other optional services will include DVS consulting, deployment and training, bringing the peace of mind that the solution will be implemented correctly.

Dell has put together a complete end-to-end solution, so customers don’t need to buy the components individually. This greatly simplifies the configuration and ordering process, also eliminating the guess work and speeding up implementation time. With ProSupport, they only have one phone number to call for support.

Dell DVS Enterprise for Windows Server 2012 is available for sale today in selected countries in North America and in Europe for Dell direct customers as well as channel partners.

Because Windows Server 2012 is truly changing the way application and desktop virtualization can be set up and managed, Dell is looking forward to future collaborative work with Microsoft on server-based virtualization including VDI, Terminal Services and other technologies.

Learn more about Dell’s portfolio of Desktop Virtualization Solutions at www.dell.com/desktopvirtualization .

About the Author: Nicolas Cuendet