Prepare your network storage for desktop virtualization

Network storage requirements for virtual desktops are often overlooked until it's too late. Plan and pilot before you deploy!

The popularity of VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) is growing as enterprises both large and small start to realize the operational and environmental benefits it can offer. Centralizing the desktop operating environment in the data center, though, can lead to unexpected challenges -- such as a wallop of transactional stress on expensive centralized network storage.

Failure to plan and test for the VDI load can result in poor performance and uncomfortable budget overruns. Here's a quick guide to provisioning the network storage necessary to do VDI right.

Setting requirements
Before you start with any form of VDI deployment -- even a pilot program -- be absolutely sure to define a complete set of requirements. This will be vital as you deploy a pilot and start pushing it into production. (Most critically, do not allow the feature set of any particular VDI solution to drive your requirements.) If nothing else, your requirements list may serve as a litmus test that indicates VDI isn't a good solution for your users. If that happens, don't try to make the requirements fit the technology -- wait until the technology fits the requirements.

The popularity of VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) is growing as enterprises both large and small start to realize the operational and environmental benefits it can offer. Centralizing the desktop operating environment in the data center, though, can lead to unexpected challenges -- such as a wallop of transactional stress on expensive centralized network storage.

Failure to plan and test for the VDI load can result in poor performance and uncomfortable budget overruns. Here's a quick guide to provisioning the network storage necessary to do VDI right.

Setting requirements
Before you start with any form of VDI deployment -- even a pilot program -- be absolutely sure to define a complete set of requirements. This will be vital as you deploy a pilot and start pushing it into production. (Most critically, do not allow the feature set of any particular VDI solution to drive your requirements.) If nothing else, your requirements list may serve as a litmus test that indicates VDI isn't a good solution for your users. If that happens, don't try to make the requirements fit the technology -- wait until the technology fits the requirements.