What is VDI?
The interest in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is growing each year, as IT managers continually look for ways to decrease IT administrative complexity and lower hardware costs. While momentum for VDI grows, many IT administrators are just beginning to seriously consider evaluations and implementation.
In a discusion of VDI, it's understood that the desktop operating system, applications and sensitive data are hosted on a server in the data center - which can reduce complexity. But is this always true? Take the example of the desktop or laptop thin client, a device with a very small capacity hard drive and minimal local memory. In fact, thin clients retain some kind of OS, such as Windows Embedded™ or a customized Linus OS.
Thin clients will be easier to administer and can be lower in cost than traditional PCs. By retaining a small OS, however, they may remain more vulnerable to security exploitation.
VDI, Security & Zero Clients
Enter the next phase of VDI innovation, the zero client.
A zero client has no local OS. The operating system does in fact reside in the data center. Therefore, there is no persistent user data, no patches, updates or antivirus software needed. As mentioned, with an embedded OS on a thin client, there remains an attack surface to invite potential mischief.
The biggest innovation in the zero client space is mobility. Until now, zero clients were restricted to desktop implementations. If you needed to take your work down the hall or across the country, you couldn’t conveniently take your zero client computer with you.
Zero Client Mobility - In a Laptop Form Factor
NCS Technologies now offers the industry’s first mobile zero client laptop PC, the Cirrus LT. Key advantages are:
- Fully mobile and secure
- NSA Suite B security
- AES-256 encryption
- No hard drive
- No OS
- No local storage
- No persistent user data
- No antivirus needed
Find our Cirrus LT infographic. Learn about the NCS end-to-end VDI solution.
