If you're looking for a less expensive alternative to VMWare Workstatoin, the free VMWare Player (as suggested by Nick on this list) would be an excellent choice. If you require slightly more functionality, Sun's xVM Virtualbox is a free alternative to VMWare Workstation as well. I've been using it for some time, and it seems stable.
But, if you're looking for an alternative to VMWare VDI (which is now called VMWare View), I've got no experience with these virtual desktop solutions. Is Microsoft's Terminal Server a possible solution, as it is probably the least expensive Windows Desktop solution for thin clients? --Matt Ross Ephrata School District ----- Original Message ----- From: Nick Symiakakis [mailto:[email protected]] To: NT System Admin Issues [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:28:55 -0700 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/> ~ > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
