Delivering Cost Efficient Virtual Desktops solution with VMware Horizon and NetApp All-Flash FAS storage
Over the last few years desktop virtualization deployments have been ramping up across various industry verticals from few 100 users to several 1000 users. To help you ensure risk free deployments with best in class user experience & achieve faster ROI, VMware & NetApp have been partnering for the last 7 years to enable our customers with joint solutions around VMware Horizon and more recently with Horizon Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Our joint solutions have been deployed globally by thousands of organizations.
Providing equal or better end user experience compared to physical desktops is critical to achieving successful adoption for virtual desktops among end users. This is even more relevant since last couple of years due to the evolving personal computing landscape with mobility first mindset of most users. With VMware Horizon, customers can meet varying requirements of their user base – from providing 1:1 virtual desktops to a shared desktop and RDSH based application virtualization environment for task workers. NetApp FAS storage has been proven to provide optimal storage options for all of the Horizon deployment models. Specifically for achieving great performance at scale, storage is one of the critical elements of any desktop virtualization solution and can make or break a deployment. Low storage cost per desktop, high performance, storage efficiency, high availability, scalability, and intelligent backup and DR policies are top of mind for customers.
Flash enabled Low Storage Cost per Horizon based virtual desktops
Based on customer feedback for the last several years, we are continuing to enhance our solutions to make your deployments successful. The latest example is our new VMware Horizon View on NetApp All-Flash FAS solution targeted towards non-persistent desktops. This solution offers very compelling price, performance (at consistent ~1ms latency), and advanced data management for real world desktop deployment; with the storage cost per desktop as low as $55/desktop. This compelling storage $/desktop number includes cost of NetApp hardware, software, 3yr 24/7 premium support with 4 hour parts replacement.
With this new solution, organizations can continue to accelerate the VDI end-user experience by using NetApp All-Flash FAS storage for Horizon & still ensure low cost per desktop. NetApp All-Flash FAS storage, powered by the FAS8000 family of storage arrays, is the optimal platform for using high-performing solid-state disks (SSDs) without adding any risk to desktop virtualization initiatives.
Advanced Data Management
When a storage failure prevents users from working, that inactivity translates into lost revenue and productivity. That is why what used to be considered a tier 3 and 4 application is now critical to business operations. Having a storage system with a robust set of data management and availability features is key to keeping the users working and lessens the risk to the business. NetApp clustered Data ONTAP has multiple built-in features to help improve availability, such as active-active high availability (HA) and non-disruptive operations to seamlessly move data in the storage cluster without user impact. Built-in, simple, storage efficient, instant snapshots and replication/vaulting capabilities ensure low RPO and RTO for mission critical VDI workload.
Validation Proof points
Here is the high level architecture of this new solution. It has been fully vetted in our solutions lab with very detailed performance testing & exceptional results for boot storm, login & steady state with LoginVSI 4.1, Refresh, and Recompose operations to simulate a real world deployment. In addition, detailed testing has been conducted with the worst case scenario of only one storage controller (of the two in an HA pair) being active at a time and still achieving exception results.
Similar Reference Architectures focused on persistent desktops use case is being finished and should be available in a few weeks!!!
VMware and NetApp are committed to make your desktop virtualization journey successful. For details on the solution architecture, performance validation, or any questions, we would highly encourage you to review the Reference Architecture here, engage with your NetApp account team or one of our channel partners, or stop by the NetApp booth #1205 at VMworld in San Francisco, or catch us at VMworld Barcelona.
Bhumik Patel – Partner Architect, VMware @bhumikp
Abhinav Joshi – Sr. Product Manager – Desktop Virtualization NetApp @abhinav_josh
