Numerous business and technical drivers are compelling IT organization to consider server-hosted desktop virtualization (SHVD). Globalization and mobilization are leading companies to explore a steady transition to a dynamic service-oriented desktop virtualization ecosystem.
Corporate Objectives
- The ability to support increased numbers of contractors, outsources, and external business partner desktops
- Improved desktop and data security
- Enhanced workforce mobility
- More-efficient disaster recovery
Infrastructure Objectives
- Lower overall server footprint by achieving higher virtual density
- Lower server capital expenditure compared to the current offering (software and hardware)
- Defined backend infrastructure support levels based on desktop role (production, development, kiosk, training)
- The ability to ensure isolated environments between the server virtual instances and desktop virtual instances
- Reduce desktop hardware maintenance costs
- Lengthen desktop hardware refresh cycles
- Greater flexibility for application deployments
- Simplifies desktop operational management
- Provide a portfolio of desktop solutions based on the requirements (Dedicated Physical, Dedicated Virtual, Shared Virtual, Installed Application, and Streamed Application)
Key Challenges
- Vendor solution immaturity
- Graphic and performance support
- Infrastructure costs
Infrastructure Cost Estimates
The below pricing estimate is based on 100 users per server.
Individual Cost Estimates
Physical Server Cost (IBM xSeries 3850 X5): $45,000.00
VMware Standard License (4 processor server): $3,775.00
VMware Enterprise Pro License (4 processor server): $10,000.00
ESX Functional License Cost: $500.00
Citrix XenServer Advanced: Free
VMware View Enterprise
Citrix XenDesktop Enterprise
Storage Unit Cost (Tier 2): $6.00 per gigabyte
Physical Workstation (full configuration): $900.00
Physical Laptop (full configuration): $1,450.00
VMware View/ESX Host Solution for 100 Users
Physical Server Cost: $45,000.00
3 Terabyte of Tier 4 Storage ($6.00 per GB): $18,432.00
ESX Functional License Cost: $500.00
VMware View Enterprise Licenses Cost ($150 per user): $7,500.00
Total Cost: $71,432.00
Per user cost not including access device (fat client/thin client): $714.32
Citrix XenDesktop/ESX Host (Standard) Solution for 100 Users
Physical Server Cost: $45,000.00
3 Terabyte of Tier 4 Storage ($6.00 per GB): $18,432.00
VMware Enterprise Pro License Cost: $3,775.00
Citrix XenDesktop Enterprise Licenses Cost ($225 per user): $11,250.00
Total Cost: $78,457.00
Per user cost not including access device (fat client/thin client): $784.57
Citrix XenDesktop/ESX (Enterprise Pro) Host Solution for 100 Users
Physical Server Cost: $45,000.00
3 Terabyte of Tier 4 Storage ($6.00 per GB): $18,432.00
VMware Enterprise Pro License Cost: $10,000.00
Citrix XenDesktop Enterprise Licenses Cost ($225 per user): $11,250.00
Total Cost: $84,682.00
Per user cost not including access device (fat client/thin client): $846.82
Citrix Xendesktop/Citrix XenServer Solution for 100 Users
Physical Server Cost: $45,000.00
3 Terabyte of Tier 4 Storage ($6.00 per GB): $18,432.00
Citrix XenServer Advanced License Cost: Free
Citrix XenDesktop Enterprise Licenses Cost ($225 per user): $11,250.00
Total Cost: $74,682.00
Per user cost not including access device (fat client/thin client): $746.82
Physical Desktop Solution for 100 Users
Physical Workstation Cost ($900.00): $90,000.00
Total cost: $90,000.00
Per user cost: $900.00
*In addition to these costs there is an annual maintenance costs that is typically 20% of the total costs. The Windows 7 licensing costs per user is $331.00 with $136 annual maintenance.
*As of June 1, 2010 a Microsoft customer with an SA agreement doesn’t need to purchase an additional Windows 7 license for a virtual machine if they are already licensed under the physical workstation client.
Current VDI Market Share
Below is the estimate of VDI market share according to online resources.
Citrix XenDesktop: 48%
VMware View: 48%
Microsoft Desktop Virtualization: 2%
Recommendation
A wholesale virtual desktop ecosystem will not be adopted until a mature solution has evolved and it becomes more cost effective. The price estimate above illustrates that density is the primary driver for making a cost effective SHVD solution. However, the estimate doesn’t account for additional hosts for business continuity and optional flash storage for optimal performance. Desktop virtualization does meet certain immediate business needs tied to globalization and mobility, and will start to be a more cost effective solution to the traditional desktop deployment in the next few years.
It is easy to see that as technology advances (infrastructure and software) the value of a virtual desktop environment will be a cost-effective solution for most corporate environments.
