application virtualisation - solutions overview
At Cetus, we have found that the majority of our application virtualisation clients are best served by deploying Microsoft Terminal Services, usually augmented by Citrix Presentation Server.
Citrix Presentation Server delivers secure by design application virtualisation in order to address the above business needs as follows:
demand for improved security
When users connect to and use applications running on a Presentation Server, the only data that travels between the client device (PC, thin-client, handheld) and the server are screen, keyboard and mouse data. Where appropriate, administrators can allow file transfers and printing to the client. Should a client device fail, no data will be lost. Should the device be lost or stolen, no data will be found on the device itself.
Access to the centralised data can be protected by standard authentication methods, or further enhanced using policy based access, such as provided by Citrix Advanced Access Control (AAC). Using AAC, a standardised portal can be presented to all users (local and remote), with the available services being tailored based upon their user name, device type, and location.
Remote users can access the data using Citrix Presentation Server’s in-built web interface (Citrix Secure Gateway), or via the Citrix Access Gateway; Citrix’s market leading SSL/VPN appliance.
disaster recovery
By housing the Citrix Presentation Servers in secure data centres (be it at the client’s own, or at one of Cetus’ hosting partners), a rapid re-deployment of key personnel can be conducted in the event of a loss of main business premises. By providing secure access to the data centre with Citrix Access Gateway; organisations can ensure that only those users entitled to access their data, do so.
key points
a need to reduce IT operational costs
A Citrix Presentation Server based application virtualisation solution can have a beneficial impact on the operational costs associated with IT. This impact can be felt in a number of areas, namely:
Reduced Callouts and Support Issues
By centralising the management and deployment of applications, whilst at the same time reducing the environmental support requirements at the client end; organisations are able to reduce the overall support impact of their IT infrastructure.
Simplified Application Deployment
Centralising the deployment of applications, coupled with Presentation Server’s ability to host previously incompatible applications (through a feature know as Application Isolation) means that new application rollouts and version upgrades can be conducted with minimal IT resources.
Reduced Power Savings
The ability to directly impact an organisation’s electricity bill should not go unmentioned. By deploying thin-client devices in favour of PCs, the running costs of an IT infrastructure can be dramatically reduced (not to mention the organisation’s ‘Carbon Footprint’).