WHAT IS A VIRTUAL DESKTOP?
The virtual desktops These are services that users can access over the internet, allowing them to create, modify, and delete files stored on another computer. This means users can access their virtual desktops remotely over a network. Any endpoint device, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, can be used to access a virtual desktop. The virtual desktop provider installs the client software on the endpoint device, and the user then interacts with that software on the device.
This feature ensures that powerful resources, such as storage and back-end databases, are readily available. Users can choose whether or not to save changes or permanently install applications, depending on how the virtual desktop is configured. Users experience their desktop exactly as they do when they log in, regardless of the device they are using.
There are different types of virtual desktops, depending on user needs and the technologies used. In the case of host-based virtual machines, a virtual machine is assigned to each individual user upon login. With persistent desktop technology, that user connects to the same virtual machine each time they log in, allowing for desktop customization. Host-based machines can also be physical machines that host an operating system to which remote users log in.
A virtual machine can also be client-based, where the operating system runs locally on the endpoint. The advantage of this type of virtual desktop is that a network connection is not required for the user to access the desktop.
How does a virtual desktop work?
Virtual desktop providers abstract the operating system from a computer's hardware using virtualization software. Instead of running on the hardware, the operating system, applications, and data run in a virtual machine. An organization can host the virtual machine on its premises. It is also common to run a virtual desktop on cloud-based virtual machines. Previously, only one user could access a virtual desktop from a single operating system. Technology has evolved to allow many users to share an operating system running multiple desktops.
Virtual desktops are ideal for seasonal work or organizations that employ contractors for temporary work on large projects. Virtual desktops also work well for salespeople who travel frequently because their desktop is the same, and they have access to the same files and applications no matter where they are working.
