Skating on Solid ICE Desktop Virtualization (
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Qumranet's Solid ICE aims to bring low-cost, hosted desktop virtualization to businesses via the KVM standard.One of the most popular IT topics of late is virtualization. After all,
virtual machines can help reduce the footprint of the data center and leverage
processing power that would otherwise go unused. But the topic of virtualization
has been rather one-sided, with everyone focusing on what the technology means
to the server and the data center.
Qumranet is aiming to shift the conversation from the needs of the network
to the needs of the user (and desktop administrator) with Solid ICE V4.1, a
virtualization product based upon the KVM (Kernel-based Virtualization Machine)
standard, which aims to virtualize desktop sessions.
In the simplest terms, Solid ICE offers remote PCs access to virtual desktops
via a Web browser. The product is installed on a dedicated server running a
Linux OS and then an administrator creates virtual PCs using the desktop
operating systems and applications of his or her choice. Users then access
those sessions via a compatible browser and have complete access to a virtual
PC.
The advantages to that approach are many. Administrators have complete
control of the desktop configuration and can easily "clone"
configurations, deliver sessions on demand and back up user desktops much more
easily than ever before.
With virtualized PCs, administrators no longer have to worry about
maintaining the hardware and software of the actual client PC, as all the
client PC needs is access to the network and a compatible browser. The benefits
of the technology go on and on and should make both the bean counters and IT
support staff happy campers.
There are some down sides, though. First off, the server has to be a hearty
and powerful machine, with plenty of processing power and RAM,
along with ample storage. That can make the server a very expensive piece of
equipment (for our low-cost alternative, see "How to Build an Affordable Virtualization Server"). Secondly,
users must have a persistent connection to the server to access their desktops.
That limits use by remote or traveling users. Lastly, there is a significant
performance penalty when running a virtual PC: While most lines of business
applications and office suites will run fine, those looking to edit video or
run CAD applications will want to avoid the virtual PC route.
