Dell expands desktop virtualization offerings with new thin client solutions

Dell Inc. has expanded its portfolio with the release of a broad set of desktop virtualisaion (VDI) solutions, including new appliance, thin client and software solutions.

The solutions include the new Wyse Management Suite software, Dell EMC XC Xpress for VDI appliance, the Latitude 3480 mobile thin client, and the latest version of the ThinOS 8.4 operating system with support for VMware Blast Extreme Protocol.

With the new advancements, Dell aims to make it easier for customers to deploy, configure and manage their VDI environments, including the Dell EMC XC Xpress for VDI appliance and the Latitude 3480 mobile thin client.

Other VDI environments that the new features can be utilised in include the latest version of the ThinOS 8.4 operating system with support for VMware Blast Extreme Protocol, and the new Wyse Management Suite software.

"Organizations today are looking for ease and flexibility in their IT solutions and desktop virtualization is no exception," comments Steve Lalla, SVP and General Manager of Commercial Client Software - Solutions at Dell.

"The broad range of solutions that we have announced today – spanning an optimized hyper-converged appliance, mobile thin client, and enhanced endpoint software and management – make it more accessible for a broader range of organizations to more efficiently deploy and manage end-to-end desktop virtualization environments, while ensuring data remains safe and secure.

The Dell EMC XC Xpress hyper-converged appliance was announced at Dell EMC World event back in May.

The XC Xpress hyper-converged appliance is now optimized for VDI workloads with a reference architecture, enabling small to mid-size organizations to deploy and manage a Nutanix-powered environment.

The appliance combines server and storage infrastructure, virtualization software, and cloud back-up in a single "out-of-the-box" solution that offers hypervisor and desktop broker choice.

Dell says that the XC Xpress for VDI provides SMBs with the functionality they need to deploy, manage and run a robust, scalable desktop virtualization environment.

The Dell Latitude 3480 mobile thin client is designed for task and knowledge workers, and leverages Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and broad connectivity options with the familiar user experience of an enterprise-class laptop.

The mobile thin client supports a broad mix of peripheral attachments and network connections, including USB 3.1 (2) and 2.0 (1), RJ45, HDMI and VGA ports, and WLAN and Bluetooth connections. Customers can also use the Dell D1000 USB Dock Station for further peripheral expansion.

The mobile thin client features a 14-inch full HD display and is built with a robust feature set including an Intel dual core processor with integrated graphics, 8GB DDR4 RAM[i], and extended battery life.

Customers have the option of an additional security layer with Dell Threat Defense, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help prevent malware, including ransomware and zero day threats, from executing on all Windows thin clients.

ThinOS 8.4 now supports VMware Blast Extreme remote connection protocol.

And for Citrix users, ThinOS 8.4 now supports the latest Citrix HDX RealTime optimization pack 2.2.

It also now supports Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), and HTTP Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) multimedia redirection.

There are several security enhancements to ThinOS 8.4 including firmware signature verification by default on firmware upgrades and downgrades, and support for a simplified certificate enrolment protocol to support secure issuance of certificates to trusted network devices.

Wyse Management Suite Standard is a free, on-premises management tool for up to 10,000 endpoints.

Wyse Management Suite Pro is a subscription-based solution with the option of either on-premises or cloud management – or a combination of both.

With the Pro solution, organizations can adopt a hybrid model and "float" their licenses between on-premises and cloud management.