Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is defined as the hosting of desktop environments on a central server. It is a form of desktop virtualization, as the specific desktop images run within virtual machines (VMs) and are delivered to end clients over a network. Those endpoints may be PCs or other devices, like tablets or thin client terminals.
In all virtual desktop infrastructure deployments, the following characteristics apply:
The virtual desktops live within VMs on a centralized server
Each virtual desktop includes an operating system image, typically Microsoft Windows
In modern digital workspaces in which numerous apps must be accessed on demand, virtual desktop infrastructure facilitates secure and convenient remote access that helps boost employee productivity. Furthermore, it enables a consistent experience across multiple devices.
Not all types of desktop virtualization leverage host-based VMs like virtual desktop infrastructure does. Also, virtual desktop infrastructure is not synonymous with desktop virtualization as a category. Instead, it is an alternative to other forms of virtual desktop delivery, including hosted shared solutions that connect PCs and thin clients to a shared desktop, as well as local desktop virtualization, in which the desktop environment runs directly on the client.
Assuming all supporting infrastructure is functioning as intended, a user who remotely accesses a virtual desktop infrastructure solution from their endpoint can manage the OS and the applications and data on it as if they were running locally. This setup lets workers safely access everything they need from virtually any device, without requiring specific hardware.
Augmented by solutions for convenient single sign-on (SSO) and secure remote access, virtual desktops can also be run and managed alongside the growing spectrum of cloud, web and mobile apps integral to modern workflows. Employees get a unified experience that enables greater productivity, while IT avoids silos and mitigates the risk of unauthorized logins.
In other words, virtual desktop infrastructure in the context of a digital workspace platform contributes to a superior working environment without compromising on security.