User guide

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and reporting enables rapid problem resolution, while of intelligent load and capacity management help
ensure that problems never arise in the first place. Built-in virtualization management features such as live
migration, high availability and bare-metal server provisioning make the infrastructure robust and resilient.
The Cisco Desktop Virtualization Solution with Citrix XenDesktop delivers desktops and applications as an on-
demand service to users anywhere, at any time, and on their choice of devices. The solution supports a new
balance between IT and users. It empowers users with mobility, flexibility, and productivity on a global scale. It
gives IT organizations the tools they need to better meet the changing demands of today‘s business concerns,
including rapidly responding to events ranging from mergers and acquisitions to the opening of a new branch
office.
The solution incorporates the most flexible, cost-effective and scalable platform for hosting virtual desktops. Built
from the ground up to support virtualization, the solution transforms data center operations by simplifying server
and workload management, making IT staff more productive. The Cisco Desktop Virtualization Solution with Citrix
XenDesktop protects IT investments by growing and adapting to business needs by incorporating new
technologies without forklift upgrades.
The solution delivers an uncompromised user experience that is driven by Citrix HDX technology and can be
customized on a per-user basis. The solution extends its reach propelled by Cisco‘s leadership in enterprise
networking and computing. The Cisco Unified Computing System is powered by Intel® Xeon® Series Processors
that speed performance with data-center-grade reliability and availability. The solution makes data center
operations secure and compliant to a level no other solution can match, helping IT organizations meet regulatory
requirements by combining centralized business-critical data with single-instance storage of each OS, application,
and user profile.
Cisco and Citrix together deliver a virtual desktop solution that can transform business operations while increasing
the productivity of any organization‘s greatest asset: its people.
3.4 NetApp Storage Solution and Components
3.4.1 Single Scalable Unified Architecture
The NetApp unified storage architecture provides customers with an agile and scalable storage platform.
NetApp‘s innovative storage solutions provide customers new alternatives and expanded possibilities over
traditional storage vendors. All NetApp storage systems utilize the Data ONTAP operating system to provide SAN
(FCoE, Fibre Channel, and iSCSI), NAS (CIFS, NFS), primary storage, and secondary storage within a single
unified platform so that all virtual desktop data components can be hosted on the same storage array. A single
process for activities such as installation, provisioning, mirroring, backup, and upgrading is used throughout the
entire product line from the entry level to enterprise-class controllers. Having a single set of software and
processes brings great simplicity to even the most complex enterprise data management challenges. Unifying
storage and data management software and processes reduces the complexity of data ownership, enables
companies to adapt to their changing business needs without interruption, and results in a dramatic reduction in
total cost of ownership.
For large, scalable Citrix XenDesktop environments, the NetApp solution provides the following unique benefits:
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At least 50% savings in storage, power, and cooling requirements
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Most agile and operationally efficient storage solutions
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Best-in-class data protection and business continuance solutions to address any level of data availability
demands
3.4.2 Storage Efficiency
One of the critical barriers to VDI adoption is the increased cost of using shared storage to obtain a highly
available enterprise quality infrastructure. Virtual desktop deployment creates a high level of data redundancy,
especially for the virtual machine OS data. Using traditional storage, this means you need storage equal to the