In case you hadn’t heard, there were a number of significant announcements today that positively impact Microsoft and our partner strategies for delivering lower cost desktop virtualization solutions with a richer client experience. Feel free to contact me directly if you are a customer of mine and have any questions or would like to explore these announcements in more detail.
Summary:
- Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop.
Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit. - New roaming use rights improve flexibility.
Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks. - Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology.
This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications. - Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1.
- Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use.
- Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.
More Information:
- See the press release at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx.
- See the Videos and Resources/Offers tabs at http://www.desktopvirtualizationhour.com/.
Technical References:
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 – http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2010/03/18/announcing-windows-server-2008-r2-and-windows-7-service-pack-1.aspx
- Dynamic Memory – http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2010/03/18/Dynamic-Memory-Coming-to-Hyper-V.aspx
- RemoteFX – http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2010/03/18/Explaining-Microsoft-RemoteFX.aspx
Kurt Shintaku's Blog 