XenDesktop

XenDesktop
Developer(s) Citrix
Stable release
7.9
Operating system Windows
Type Desktop virtualization software
License Proprietary
Website www.citrix.com

XenDesktop is a desktop virtualization software that allows multiple users to access and run Microsoft Windows desktops that are installed at a centralized location separate from the devices from which they are being accessed.

History

The virtualization technology that led to XenDesktop was first developed in 2000 through an open source hypervisor research project led by Ian Pratt at the University of Cambridge called Xen Project for x86.[1][2] Pratt founded a company called XenSource in 2004, which made a commercial version of the Xen hypervisor.[2] In 2007, Citrix acquired XenSource, releasing XenDesktop version 2.0 in 2008.[3][4] The company continues to release updated versions, with XenDesktop 7.6 featuring HDX technology enhancements for audio, video and graphics user experience, as well as a reduction in storage costs associated with virtual desktop deployments as a result of improvements to Citrix provisioning services.[5][6]

Product overview

XenDesktop is a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) product developed and sold by Citrix Systems. It allows users to virtually access and run Microsoft Windows desktops from a datacenter or a public or private cloud, via devices located anywhere.[5][7] Users are able to access virtual desktops and applications through Citrix Receiver.[8] Applications are delivered and managed via XenApp.[7]

The product's aim is to give employees the ability to work from anywhere while cutting information technology management costs because desktops and applications are centralized.[7] XenDesktop also aims to provide security, because data is not stored on the devices of end users, instead being saved in a centralized datacenter or cloud infrastructure.[8] Citrix developed the software for use by medium to large enterprise customers.[9][10]

XenDesktop is able to manage and deliver applications and desktops using a connection broker called Desktop Delivery Controller.[10][11] It supports multiple hypervisors, including XenServer, VMware vSphere, and Microsoft Hyper-V to create virtual machines to run the applications and desktops.[10] The software allows for several types of delivery methods and is compatible with multiple architectures, including desktops and servers, datacenters, and private, public or hybrid clouds.[7][12] XenDesktop comes with the XenServer hypervisor and image management tool Provisioning Services.[6][10] Virtualized applications can be delivered to XenDesktop virtual desktops using Xenapp.[9]

References

  1. Buytaert, Kris (March 26, 2008). "The Current State of Open Source Virtualization". Virtualization. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 Waters, John K (March 15, 2007). "Virtualization topics covering definition, objectives, systems and solutions". CIO. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. "Release: Citrix XenDesktop 2.0". Virtualization. May 20, 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  4. Babcock, Charles (October 22, 2007). "Citrix Launches First Product From XenSource Acquisition". InformationWeek. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Citrix makes VDI faster, secure, more reliable and cheaper on storage with the latest XenApp and XenDesktop". Cloud Computing Intelligence. August 20, 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  6. 1 2 Cox, Mark (August 25, 2014). "New Citrix XenApp, XenDesktop releases to take down adoption barriers". Channel Buzz. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ricknäs, Mikael (April 14, 2008). "Citrix sets price and release date for XenDesktop". Network World. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  8. 1 2 Howsw, Brett (July 14, 2015). "Citrix brings full support for Windows 10 to its desktop virtualization products". AnandTech. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  9. 1 2 McMillan, Robert (May 20, 2008). "Citrix's New XenDesktop Options Include Free Edition". CIO. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Becker, Randy. "Components, features and use cases for XenDesktop 7.5". TechTarget. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  11. Ruest, Danielle; Ruest, Nelson (January 1, 2009). "Xen and the Art of Hosted Desktops". Virtualization. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  12. Rouse, Margaret. "Citrix XenDesktop". Search virtual desktop. TechTarget. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
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