Virtualizing Windows applications and desktops in the data center or cloud has compelling security, mobility and management benefits, but delivering real-time voice and video in a virtual environment is a challenge. A poorly optimized implementation can increase costs and compromise user experience. Server scalability and bandwidth efficiency may be less than optimal, and audio-video quality may be degraded.
Enabling voice and video with a bundled solution in an existing Citrix environment delivers clearer and crisper voice and video than legacy phone systems. This solution guide describes how Sennheiser headsets combine with Citrix infrastructure and IGEL endpoints to provide a better, more secure user experience. It also describes how to deploy the bundled Citrix-Sennheiser-IGEL solution.
Many large enterprises are moving important applications from traditional physical servers to virtualized environments, such as VMware vSphere in order to take advantage of key benefits such as configuration flexibility, data and application mobility, and efficient use of IT resources.
Realizing these benefits with business critical applications, such as SQL Server or SAP can pose several challenges. Because these applications need high availability and disaster recovery protection, the move to a virtual environment can mean adding cost and complexity and limiting the use of important VMware features. This paper explains these challenges and highlights six key facts you should know about HA protection in VMware vSphere environments that can save you money.
Each version of Windows and Windows Server showcases new technologies. The advent of PowerShell marked a substantial step forward in managing those features. However, the built-in graphical Windows management tools have largely stagnated - the same basic Microsoft Management Console (MMC) interfaces had remained since Windows Server 2000. Microsoft tried out multiple overhauls over the years to the built-in Server Manager console but gained little traction. Until Windows Admin Center.
WHAT IS WINDOWS ADMIN CENTER?Windows Admin Center (WAC) represents a modern turn in Windows and Windows Server system management. From its home page, you establish a list of the networked Windows and Windows Server computers to manage. From there, you can connect to an individual system to control components such as hardware drivers. You can also use it to manage Windows roles, such as Hyper-V.
On the front-end, Windows Admin Center is presented through a sleek HTML 5 web interface. On the back-end, it leverages PowerShell extensively to control the systems within your network. The entire package runs on a single system, so you don’t need a complicated infrastructure to support it. In fact, you can run it locally on your Windows 10 workstation if you want. If you require more resiliency, you can run Windows Admin Center as a role on a Microsoft Failover Cluster.
WHY WOULD I USE WINDOWS ADMIN CENTER?In the modern era of Windows management, we have shifted to a greater reliance on industrial-strength tools like PowerShell and Desired State Configuration. However, we still have servers that require individualized attention and infrequently utilized resources. WAC gives you a one-stop hub for dropping in on any system at any time and work with almost any of its facets.
ABOUT THIS EBOOKThis eBook has been written by Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP Eric Siron. Eric has worked in IT since 1998, designing, deploying, and maintaining server, desktop, network, and storage systems. He has provided all levels of support for businesses ranging from single-user through enterprises with thousands of seats. He has achieved numerous Microsoft certifications and was a Microsoft Certified Trainer for four years. Eric is also a seasoned technology blogger and has amassed a significant following through his top-class work on the Altaro Hyper-V Dojo.
Metallic is a new SaaS backup and recovery solution based on Commvault's data protection software suite, proven in the marketplace for more than 20 years. It is designed specifically for the needs of medium-scale enterprises but is architected to grow with them based on data growth, user growth, or other requirements. Metallic initially offers either monthly or annual subscriptions through reseller partners; it will be available through cloud service providers and managed service providers over time. The initial workload use cases for Metallic include virtual machine (VM), SQL Server, file server, MS Office 365, and endpoint device recovery support; the company expects to add more use cases and supported workloads as the solution evolves.
Metallic is designed to offer flexibility as one of the service's hallmarks. Aspects of this include:
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) can be integrated with Microsoft RDS to enable system administrators to centrally manage the delivery of virtual desktops and applications with ease while giving end users the functionality needed to boost productivity.
Parallels RAS is quick and easy to install, and features:
By integrating Parallels RAS with Microsoft RDS, organizations of any size and scale can meet their unique needs.
Download this white paper now to learn how your company can publish applications and virtual desktops seamlessly and securely to any device with the combined capabilities of Microsoft RDS and Parallels RAS.
There are many solutions on the market that can make remote work easier and more accessible so staff can continue to be productive, regardless of their location. But not all are created equal. A solution should be able to be deployed quickly, ensure the security of confidential data and be easy for both admins and employees to use.
That’s where virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions come into play.
The benefits of using VDI—rapid deployment, inherent security and simplified management—make a compelling case for its suitability as the technology to adapt to today’s new normal and prepare for future disruptions.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a VDI solution that enables organizations of all sizes to effortlessly deliver applications and virtual desktops to any endpoint device at any time. What’s more, its simple infrastructure makes it easy to implement, manage and scale, while its affordable price point keeps costs down.
Download this white paper today to understand how a VDI solution like Parallels RAS can boost your remote workforce.
In addition to helping propel demand for more mobile solutions (e.g., laptops, thin clients and Bluetooth-enabled accessories), the pandemic has also emphasized the vitalness of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions in helping enable successful digital workplaces.
Many VDI solutions offer a centralized architecture, which simplifies various IT processes crucial to supporting remote work environments. While there is no shortage of VDI tools out there, Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) certainly stands out.
Parallels RAS is an all-in-one VDI solution that takes simplicity, security and cost-effectiveness to a whole new level while enabling employees to easily access work files, applications and desktops from anywhere, on any device, at any time.
Parallels RAS effectively addresses the common challenges of enabling workforce mobility, such as:
In this white paper, you’ll learn what workforce mobility looks like in today’s business world, the key benefits and drawbacks of a mobile workforce and how Parallels RAS helps solve common remote work solutions.
Download this white paper now to discover how Parallels RAS can help transform your digital workforce to conquer today’s challenges and ensure you're well-prepared for the future.
In today’s fast-moving and often unpredictable business world, companies need a VDI solution that’s provides safe, secure remote access to critical data and apps while remaining simple for IT admins and end users alike.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is an all-in-one VDI solution that provides:
When compared to Citrix, Parallels RAS is also much more affordable, faster to deploy and easier to use, which means everything can be up and running in days—not weeks or months.
Download this white paper now to discover why Parallels RAS is the only full-featured VDI solution your organization needs.
Parallels Remote Appplication Server (RAS), on the other hand, is a one stop solution for all your virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) needs.
Parallels RAS offers a single edition for on-premises, hybrid and cloud setups, which comes with a full set of enterprise-level features to help you deliver a secure, scalable and centrally managed solution.
In this white paper, we discuss the common challenges customers face with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and explore how you can save up to 60% on costs with Parallels RAS—all while reducing the complexity for your IT team and improving the user experience for your employees.
Download the white paper to learn more!
Remote working as the norm has become a reality for many organizations. Much of the global workforce has become more mobile, leading to an increase in the adoption of digital workspace technologies such as VDI and DaaS solutions.
As more companies turn to these technologies, business opportunities have multiplied for MSPs, ISVs, VARs and SIs. Not all companies have the in-house IT talent to maintain and manage virtualized environments, so third-party service providers offering VDI- and DaaS-related services can step up to fill this gap.
Services that can be offered in this space include:
Partnering with Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) gives MSPs, ISVs, VARs and SIs even more lucrative opportunities for growth. The features and license model of Parallels RAS allow you to maximize earnings while offering clients an all-in-one VDI solution that takes simplicity, security and cost-effectiveness to a whole new level.
Download this white paper now to learn more about how you can leverage the surge in VDI demand and grow your business with Parallels RAS.
Organizations today face a transformed business landscape where having a mobile workforce has become more of a rule rather than the exception. With the many challenges in managing remote working environments and the lack of adequately skilled IT staff in most companies, outside help is often needed. This is where managed services come in.
Enterprises rely on MSPs to help maintain their IT infrastructure, and more recently, for the deployment and management of remote work solutions. With the wealth of opportunities available in this space, VARs can also grab a share of the lucrative managed services pie by slowly shifting their business model to that of an MSP.
Making the transition from VAR to MSP, however, requires adequate preparation and changes in the way you offer and provide services.
In this white paper, we cover the essential points that both VARs and MSPs should know about in order to maximize revenue opportunities, including:
Offering the right technology to your clients also plays a huge role in your success. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a simple, secure, cost-effective VDI solution built to enable today’s remote workforces that you can provide to customers to meet their needs while increasing your margins.
Download this white paper to learn more about Parallels RAS, understand the benefits of the Parallels RAS Partner Program and learn how to become a partner to accelerate your business growth.
Hybrid and remote learning environments have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic and will likely continue until the health risk abates completely. The good news is that virtualization technology has helped make educational resources more readily accessible to staff and students regardless of device and/or location, allowing teaching and learning to continue despite the pandemic.
This whitepaper identifies how virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) enables better virtual learning environments by providing greater accessibility, mobility and flexibility for users. In addition, VDI can further enhance virtual education because it creates a customized learning experience by:
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is an all-in-one, cost-efficient VDI solution that provides seamless, secure access to educational applications and desktops to all stakeholders - administrators, educators, and students. Download this whitepaper today and find out why so many educational institutions choose Parallels RAS for VDI and application delivery to create more effective virtual learning environments.