Microsoft Accelerates Desktop Virtualization
How awesome is this https://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx
To Sum up ;
Microsoft outlined improvements that make it easier to access desktop virtualization. More information on today’s announcement and Microsoft’s virtualization strategy is available here.
•New VDI promotions available for qualified customers to choose from today. Microsoft and Citrix Systems are offering the “Rescue for VMware VDI” promotion, which allows VMware View customers to trade in up to 500 licenses at no additional cost, and the “VDI Kick Start” promotion, which offers new customers a more than 50 percent discount off the estimated retail price. Eligibility and other details on the two promotions can be found at https://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com.
•Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit.
•New roaming use rights improve flexibility. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks.
•Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology. This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.
•Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1. Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use. Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.
•New technology agreement with Citrix Systems. The companies will work together to enable the high-definition HDX technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Microsoft RemoteFX platform.
Additional Resources:
- For more information about the SP1 release of Windows Server 2008 R2, check out the Windows Server Division Weblog.
- Additional details on the new WS08R2 SP1 Features (Dynamic Memory and Remote FX) are available on Jeff Woolsey and Max Hermann’s blog posts on the Virtualization Team blog.
- Details about the Windows 7 SP1 release and Windows XP Mode can also be found here on the The Windows Blog.
- Edwin Yuen’s take on today’s news is featured on the Because It’s Everybody’s Business expert blog.
- And as always, visit the Infrastructure PressPass site for all related materials from today’s announcement.
Should be great for the future of Virtualization and I am very excited with the RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory additions to SP1