While SSL VPN technology has emerged as the de facto standard for remote access and business continuity/disaster recovery planning, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is emerging as a compelling option. VDI addresses some of the limitations of SSL VPNs, and provides users with a desktop experience identical to what they are used to. Virtualization has exploded in the data center, and desktop virtualization is the next big thing. This research note examines virtualization options in the context of remote access and Business Continuity (BC) planning, specifically:
- Three ways to provide a virtual desktop to remote users.
- The pros and cons of each option.
- Best fit scenarios for the three alternatives.
Virtualization technology represents an excellent alternative or a way to augment existing remote access solutions, and should be a consideration in BC planning scenarios.
