Server virtualization helps us mitigate heavy workloads and fully utilize a machine in a business-critical landscape. On the other hand, app virtualization allows us remotely access an application through any physical hardware.

These inventions have brought high efficiency and productivity to businesses.

However, when implementing virtualization for the first time, there are many confusing concepts. This includes VDI, virtual desktops, desktop virtualization, and virtual machines. Are these different? How do all these concepts intertwine?

Understanding Virtual Desktops

Virtual desktops are virtual devices that run on physical machines. These desktops are on a cloud server or a centralized on-premise server, from where employees receive secure, unique access to their computing environments. This means we can create several virtual desktops on one server for different employees. We can completely customize these virtual units with other apps and data for different users.

Desktop virtualization technology helps isolate the resources and environment of one virtual unit from another. Ideally, we can achieve desktop virtualization for one PC or hardware device. This end device can host different virtual computers that can be accessed offline.

However, considering the popularity of remote work, virtual desktops are now more commonly created on a centralized or remote server.

Here are some things you should know about virtual desktops:

• Virtual desktops can be accessed from or created on many end devices.
• You can securely access data when using an on-premise data center or cloud server.
• You can centrally handle all the virtual desktops.

Understanding VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a technology that we use for desktop virtualization. The above section discussed how virtual desktops are created using desktop virtualization. VDI is the infrastructure that helps in desktop virtualization and virtual machines. These virtual machines (Or Thin Clients) operate on any end device.

If we compare VDI vs. VM, then both are intertwined. VDI supports the creation of virtual machines, using which we can make many virtual desktops. However, we can create virtual machines on any device. If you have a physical PC, you can use VMs to host two separate operating systems.

Another standard section of VDI is DaaS. To compare DaaS vs. VDI, we can say that DaaS hosts its virtual machines on a cloud server. It is VDI hosted on the cloud and offered as a managed service by a cloud service provider.

There are usually two types of VDI implementations:

• Persistent VDI offers your employees one image of the desktop that can be completely personalized. We can use persistent VDI for dedicated tasks. These machines consume more storage by offering higher personalization and processing capabilities.
• Non-persistent VDI offers a random virtual machine reset to its original state when you turn it off. We can use non-persistent machines for low-impact, repetitive tasks. These machines consume less storage than persistent desktops.

How The Two Intertwine?

VDI and virtual desktops are closely related because VDI can't exist without using virtual desktops. We set up VDI and use desktop virtualization to make multiple virtual desktops. These virtual desktops are hosted on a centralized server, and employees access these units on any device within the range of your VDI.

Therefore, VDI is possible because we can create virtual desktops. The art of creating virtual desktops comes from virtual machines.

We can deduce that the best use of all these technologies and methodologies is when we use them together in VDI or DaaS.

What's The Difference Between DaaS vs. VDI?

Although we understand that VDI is hosted on a centralized server and DaaS on the cloud, what other differences are there between DaaS vs VDI?

Remote Accessibility

DaaS infrastructure offers seamless remote accessibility. You can use the service and offer remote virtual desktops to employees easily. These virtual desktops are opened using any device, such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet.

In the case of VDI, you have to set up VPN access and improve the range to offer remote access to employees.

Managed Service

VDI is not a managed service; it is set up in-house by individual organizations. From hardware selection to the type of desktop virtualization, every factor of VDI is internally discussed, evaluated, and implemented. This also means we have to handle all the tasks in-house like security, maintenance, upgrade, scalability, etc.

DaaS is VDI on the cloud, a managed service by cloud service providers. This means you can receive a required number of virtual desktops with specific features and resources. The VDI provider ensures all the tasks like security and maintenance.

Scalability

An important difference in DaaS vs. VDI is the ability to scale.

Whenever we scale our virtual desktops, these resources reflect in physical form somewhere. We have to increase the hardware storage to improve the performance and storage of virtual machines.

When using VDI, we have to increase hardware on our server and data center. This is hectic compared to DaaS.

In the case of DaaS, the storage increases on the cloud server. You can improve storage and resources on-demand. When you need better performance for your virtual desktops, you can scale. The same cost reflects in your bill as a fixed charge, which is usually agreed upon beforehand.

Conclusion

Virtual desktops are created using VDI or DaaS technology. While VDI and virtual desktops are closely related, VDI and DaaS are also the same implementations with different server configurations. Depending on your requirements, if you need to utilize virtual desktops, you must choose between DaaS vs. VDI. VDI will help you use desktop virtualization on-premise, DaaS will utilize cloud servers for seamless desktop virtualizations offered remotely.

Focus on finding the right DaaS provider to start using virtual desktops in the right manner.