metro extralife Recruitment SpecialToadvertise call(01)6375979 18 metrolifeextra Wednesday, October 13, 2009 D A virtual leap forward in IT Simplify desktop management with virtualisation A lthough desktop virtualisation is still considered a relatively new technology, deployments are set to increase rapidly. The promise of desktop virtualisation is to centralise the PC operating system in the data centre. Managing and securing desktops is significantly easier, while end users remotely access these desktops from a variety of devices. No data or applications execute on the endpoint everything is done centrally. This is different from and complemented by both server and application virtualisation: n Application virtualisation isolates applications from each other and the OS, reducing conflicts, improving reliability and simplifying deployment. n Server virtualisation divides a single server hardware resource into multiple virtual machines, each hosting a separate, server- class operating system. Server virtualisation provides the hosting platform for virtual desktops and is part of a desktop virtualisation solution. Desktop virtualisa- tion strikes a good compromise between the dedicated fat desktop machine and the efficien- cies of a centralised application virtualisation approach. Desktop virtualisation delivers the following benefits: * Improved data security by centralising desktop lifecycle management in the data centre. * Easier management of desktops across the enterprise: desktop IT operations no longer need to repeat numerous, manual tasks to ensure all desktops are up to date with the latest patches, updates, upgrades and refreshes. * Improved desktop performance: a virtualised desktop doesnt falter and deteriorate over time. * Separating the desktop from applications eliminates conflicts and optimises system performance. Although it is still a relatively new market, many are realising the potential of implementing desktop virtualisation. Globalisation, outsourcing and increased mobility are decentralising business processes. On the other hand, shrinking IT budgets, and increasing IT accountability for information security and service- level agreements underscore centralisation. This need for simplified management systems is the first trend behind the interest in desktop virtualisation. Citrix believes that the next generation of desktop virtualisation will encompass two important advances: desktop as a service (DaaS) and client-side virtualisation. Desktop as a service (DaaS) The desktop as a service (DaaS) concept is about centralising and delivering desktops as a service to users anywhere. DaaS, using a manage once, deliver anywhere approach, offers a secure working environment on all devices. DaaS also offers increased performance and productivity by giving each user a brand new desktop each time they log in. Client-side virtualisation For a growing group of global nomads, its important not to be reliant on a network connection. Client-side virtualisation enables multiple desktop operating systems to co-exist in complete isolation on a single end user device. In addition, the virtualisation at the endpoint greatly simplifies image management and makes it easier to build, maintain and migrate desktop images. The client-based virtual desktop is maintained by a central server, which periodically checks the desktop to patch the operating system or update applications. This server also moves data created while users are offline to the data centre and sets policies for encryption, security and network connections. But unlike other forms of desktop virtualisation, its not dependent on being connected by the network to that server. Desktop virtualisation also enables IT to rethink the way hardware is provisioned. An increasing number of organisations have embraced a bring-your-own- computer (BYOC) programme which, as the name suggests, allows people to use their compu- ter at the office. Connectivity and always-on communications have effaced traditional boundaries between work and personal life, the BYOC scheme makes it possible for users to take care of personal business while on breaks at the office, or finish up work at home. With only one environment to personalise and consistent access to both sets of data and applications, from any location, users become more efficient and productive in everything they do. Citrix has its own BYOC scheme. Instead of getting a standard-issue laptop, employees can be given a voucher to buy and maintain a system of their own choosing. The employee then logs on to a virtual desktop provided by Citrixs XenDesktop solution, and has instant access to all the data and applications he would get from a company-issued PC. Weve had overwhelmingly positive feedback, and are outpacing our goals. In the past, this scenario would have created an IT nightmare, making it impossible to enforce security or control interaction between personal and business workspaces. Now, a bare-metal client hypervisor with 100 per cent isolation can enable you to keep the two environments data and applications entirely separate. In fact, BYOC can even represent an improvement for IT, reducing dependency on them to procure and manage laptops and allowing a more service- oriented approach to IT. After all, employees already use personal computers for company work and vice versa; this way, they can do so without all the security headaches. By making use of available technologies, companies can make desktop virtualisation an effective solution for everyone. Commercial feature ...Citrix Technical Support Center is recruiting! Join in our Success... For further details of our very competitive benefits package, full job descriptions and to apply for these positions, please visit our website - WWW.CITRIX.COM Technical Support Engineers Escalation Engineers Technical Relationship Managers (English, French, and German speaking) Software Maintenance Engineers Citrix Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of virtualization, networking and software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies. Citrix customers include the worlds largest Internet companies, 99% of Fortune Global 500 enterprises as well as hundreds of thousands of small businesses and partners worldwide. In Dublin we have our EMEA Technical Support headquarters as well as the Citrix Online EMEA SMB Sales Team and some World Wide Corporate IT Functions, in total employing over 130 employees. Due to continued growth of our business across EMEA region, the EMEA Technical Support operation are now looking for new talent to join our team and continue their career development within a fast paced, results orientated Customer Support business, supporting some of the worlds leading edge virtualization and application delivery technologies. The Dublin operation is expanding into software engineering areas such as code modification to support customers so we also are interested in hearing from engineers with software development skills to work on these technologies. We wish to recruit immediately in the following areas: or email your CV to Jackie.Flatley@citrix.com index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html