You can use VMware player (free) to play virtual machines created and locked down by you and proximity readers with USB connections to allow access to the machine. Depending on the level of configuration VMware workstation might be better for you or some sort of VDI solution where servers host your desktop
-----Original Message----- From: Nick Symiakakis [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 9:29 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Desktop virtualization Hi all, i am trying to gather some information on Desktop Virtualization, and am hoping some of you can share some of your experiences. I work at a hospital, and we recently moved to strong passwords, and we need to get rid of generic logins. for example, our ICU unit logs in as ICU. So I have been looking at better and faster way's for our staff to be able to authenticate, and come into a desktop environment that is consistant throughout all the nursing areas. I have looked at a product called Altiris, and a little bit with VMWARE workstation. We do not use Citrix, because of the cost. (We are on a very tight budget). I have a web demo of Symantec's "nSuite" product tomorrow. nSuite, like VMWARE workstation is approx. $110 per user. That is a bit costly for us. Do any of you have experience or knowledge of software which first and foremost is reasonably priced, and would basically be similar to a virtual desktop, or a shell. My second question is, do any of you recommend any authentication devices such as fingerprint readers, or smart card devices for faster logins. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Nick Symiakakis Network Admin Noble Hospital [email protected] ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ _________________________________________________________ This e-mail, including attachments, contains information that is confidential and may be protected by attorney/client or other privileges. This e-mail, including attachments, constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this e-mail, including attachments, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify me by e-mail reply and delete the original message and any attachments from your system. _________________________________________________________ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
