Virtualisation and Thin Client - a Survey of Virtual Desktop (VDI)

As ICT and data processing systems have become ever more extensive and ubiquitous there has been widespread adoption of a distributed Client / Server topology to meet business and personal computing needs. The standard connectivity for a typical workstation is built around a Personal Computer linked to a nominated group of local nodes and Servers (Local Area Network), and via an external connection to myriad Internet resources worldwide. This model provides the knowledge worker and private ICT systems user with access to a comprehensive range of ICT services readily and efficiently, creating a global nexus of online computer users and their chosen ICT solutions and services. However, certain components of the ICT solution (including critical data and processing power) are exposed to fortuitous contact and risk of interference, misuse and theft due to poor security standards. In addition, the Client/Server units consume excessive energy, leading to poor ecological performance of up to one billion workstations worldwide.A trusted synergy of newly available technologies - Virtualisation, Thin Client and an enhanced Remote (RCP) interconnect - can now significantly enhance this model.