By Rory Clements, Solution Architect, End User Computing, VMware
Following the launch of the VMware Rapid Desktop Program at VMworld in San Francisco, the global VMware and IBM teams committed to not only delivering a validated solution based on the Branch Office Desktop, but also creating and certifying an IBM Rapid Desktop appliance based on the IBM System x and IBM Flex Systems hardware families.
Now-just 6 weeks later, the IBM and VMware EUC teams have completed work on a fully validated Branch Office Desktop solution hosted at the IBM labs in Greenock, UK. This same team in Greenock developed the recently announced IBM SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure reference architecture as foundation for validated vertical use cases.
Optimized to deliver consistent and scalable desktops as a managed service for remote and branch office workers across the WAN—this architecture…helps IT organizations maximize uptime, streamline desktop management and drive down operational costs.
This solution also brings VMware Mirage and VMware View together to support the many different requirements of the branch including disaster recovery, central image management and LAN-like performance for end-users.
The IBM Branch Office Desktop blueprint is hosted exclusively on IBM System x and Flex Systems compute nodes, IBM storage and IBM System networking components, and, unique to IBM, the branch infrastructure has been hosted on their prototype Rapid Desktop Appliance which will be available to customers and partners later this year.
The IBM solution also includes 3rd party technology from joint partners F5 Networks. and Trend Micro, and will be launched complete with validated design and how-to guides, which will assist customers and partners to successfully deploy the Branch Office Desktop Solution on IBM system x and Flex Systems infrastructure. IBM will continue to integrate IBM software and hardware components in order to provide further unique management aspects and performance optimization.
To find out more about the new VMware Branch Office Desktop:
Be sure to also check back for the IBM and VMware Branch Office Design Guide in the coming weeks.
