1

The plan is to have a URL that students can go to that will connect them to a nonpersistent windows VM that they can use that has software that the students will need for their classes. I will need a single URL that can connect to a pool of desktops running of an on site server. I have no experience with anything like this. I am hoping to use an existing server and free software if possible.

I don’t know where to start.

9 Spice ups
2

Does it need to be a desktop OS? Can you deal with the added license cost for virtualizing desktop licenses? Full VDI tends to get expensive

Depending on the software needs, why not a small Terminal Server farm running on Windows server?

1 Spice up
3

we have students on Chromebooks that need to be able to run windows software.

4

I’m going to second that notion. Full blown VDI is expensive in both hardware and software. It is not going to be something you can just throw together with stuff you have lying around. You can do something like LTSP which is a linux terminal server but the learning curve would be steep. Free isn’t free when it costs time and you have no support.

What kind of programs are we talking here ? By programs do you mean word processors and that kind of stuff ? Google has a lot of web based resources that might fit that bill and run on a kiosk without a windows desktop.

Do you work directory for the school ? On/Off topic MS is very philanthropic and gives schools great resources for both students and people in IT Technology Solutions for Schools | Microsoft Education

4 Spice ups
5

We need access to Engineering software that cannot be installed on chrome devices. as well as some software for our bio labs.

6

Please tell me the software is not an Autodesk application. 2D and 3D CAD application performance will may be less than stellar.

1 Spice up
7

VDI infrastructure is not only very resource-hungry but also very complex and expensive to implement. And the biggest downside of it is you still can’t virtualise the end device for it. Students have to use physical devices to connect to their virtual desktops. As an alternative you have RDS that’s much easier to set up and less expensive too. Or you can have a look at Microsoft Virtual Desktop on Azure but I doubt if it would be anywhere as inexpensive as Microsoft licencing for education via Techsoup or similar.

2 Spice ups
8

Could you please provide some more details about the requirements and the software that needs to be run on those non-persistent virtual machines? That will help the Community to provide you with the best suitable advice and configuration.

Given the information present, I would also second going the Microsoft RDS way. Please notice that this approach does include only Windows Server OS and not Windows 10. Since you have specifically mentioned “desktop,” I believe that might be important.

4 Spice ups
9

Hey OP - In case you’re interested in other options, wanted to provide more info on what Scale offers! When you pair Scale Computing HC3 virtualization with VDI solutions or remote desktop solutions like Leostream, Parallels, Liquidware Labs, Citrix, or RDSH, you get an all-in-one solution that provides rapid deployment, ease of management, and high availability. It’s actually more affordable than you might think, so yay for saving money!

Here are a couple of resources you can navigate through to get more info:

If you’d like to chat more, feel free to reach out! Happy to help out more if I can.

1 Spice up
10

Hey OP! As far as VDI solutions go, I wanted to suggest giving Nutanix a look for a hyperconverged option- Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) integrates compute, virtualization, storage, networking, and security together, allowing you to scale nodes instead of disparate hardware devices. Our software then helps enhance network functionality and security.

As far as cost, Nutanix HCI has been shown to actually reduce VDI costs by up to 60%, which you can read more about here if you want! Feel free to message me if you’re interested in any more info or have any questions, happy to help however I can :slight_smile: Good luck!

@Nutanix

@jhowell3

11

We have found a temporary solution to our software issue. thanks everyone for your help.

2 Spice ups
12

Hey Jesse,

Great to hear that you have found a solution.

If one day your interest in VDI will rise up, you can take a look at StarWind HyperConverged Appliance offering. We offer Appliances, which were specifically configured for VDI workload to maximize the uptime of the infrastructure. Of course, StarWind ProActive Support and Migration Assistance are included in this offering. You can find more information here: HCI Appliance by StarWind | Advantages & Specifications

Feel free to DM me in case you have any questions.

2 Spice ups