VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a computing architecture in which desktop environments are hosted on centralized servers in data centers or cloud environments and delivered to end-user devices over a network. Users interact with a virtual desktop that runs on a server rather than on a local device. VDI contrasts with traditional PCs and with session-based desktops, where multiple users share a server OS instance.

A typical VDI stack includes hypervisor hosts that run virtual desktop machines, central storage, and a connection broker that authenticates users and assigns desktops. A remote access gateway or published gateway provides secure connectivity from outside the corporate network. User profiles and policies are managed separately, and licensing is handled per user or per device. Desktops can be persistent (each user has a dedicated VM) or non-persistent (desktop reverts to a baseline state after logout).

Deployment models include on-premises VDI, cloud-hosted VDI, or hybrid configurations. Common use cases encompass remote work, regulated industries requiring centralized security, and educational environments with diverse devices.

Benefits and challenges: advantages include centralized management, consistent user experience, easier data protection and disaster recovery, and flexibility for bring-your-own-device policies. Drawbacks can include higher upfront infrastructure costs, potential network latency affecting user experience, complex image management, and licensing complexity.

Notable implementations include VMware Horizon, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop), and Amazon WorkSpaces. These platforms differ in architecture, persistence model, and cloud integration, but share core concepts such as brokering, gateway access, and profile management.

Security and governance: VDI centralizes data and reduces data leakage risk on endpoints, but effectiveness depends on strong network security, multi-factor authentication, and ongoing monitoring. Performance relies on sufficient bandwidth and low latency between endpoints and the data center.