When we talk of remote work solutions amidst Covid-19 and beyond, desktop virtualization is a very important tool. To virtualize desktops, two primary technologies exist, which are Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
What is Desktop Virtualization?
This is a productivity solution which involves creating virtualized instances of desktop computers using software resources. For all intents and purposes, a virtual desktop is as productive as a conventional desktop PC.
A virtual desktop will also have a processor, RAM, storage and even graphics processing capability. You can provision virtual desktops based on your productivity needs. The higher spec virtual desktop you provision, the more resources will be required for it.
Desktop Virtualization Technologies
Now, if you decide to create virtual desktops, you can rely on two main technologies to achieve this goal. One is DaaS, while the other one is called VDI. Both these technologies can be utilized to create virtual desktops, but each has its own pros and cons.
Desktop as a Service – DaaS
In DaaS, you will source your virtual desktops from a specialized third party Cloud Service Provider like dinCloud. In case of DaaS, your Virtual Desktops will be created over the data centers of your cloud service provider (CSP).
In return for using its cloud infrastructure, dinCloud will charge a pre agreed fee which is purely based on your usage. A key plus point of using the DaaS model is that you don’t have to worry about the underlying hardware and other resources.
All these resources are fully managed by your cloud provider (CSP) like dinCloud. CSPs like dinCloud establish vast data centers by investing millions of dollars on storage, processing and cyber security of their data centers.
Also Read:
- Differences between Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
- How to Choose Between DaaS and VDI Models?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure – VDI
In case of VDI, you first need to setup a data center on premise. A large upfront investment is required for setting up this data center. Then, to support this large data center, you also need a lot of costly supporting hardware.
Once you have setup the on premise data center, you then create virtual instances of desktop computers over this infrastructure. To setup and manage this complex architecture, you also need a team of highly skilled IT and cloud professionals.
Then, to keep this elaborate system in optimal working condition, you constantly need to keep investing in the maintenance of this IT hardware. Despite these major drawbacks, a VDI model allows the deploying entity more control over data and its security.
How DaaS is Better than VDI
Now that we have covered the basics of both DaaS and VDI models of desktop virtualization, we will try to make a case for DaaS using various decision criteria. Although this does not imply that VDI is bad in any way, it can have certain limitations.
Setup and Maintenance Costs
Whenever we pitch DaaS and VDI against each other, the cost factor is going to figure among the top few decision criteria. This is particularly true when we are talking of small to medium sized organizations that are constrained on financial and human resources.
In VDI, you need a large upfront capital expense to setup a data center on premise. Even after incurring the initial cost, your woes do not end there. This elaborate hardware demands constant maintenance and upgrading to extract the best performance.
Now, take the example of DaaS which is quite the opposite. Firstly, there is no upfront cost that has to be borne by the deploying entity. All these costs are borne by the cloud provider like dinCloud. There are also no maintenance costs in case of DaaS.
In case of DaaS, all you have to pay your cloud provider like dinCloud is a usage fee that is agreed beforehand and entirely depends on your level of use. This results in tremendous costs savings, in addition to ridding you of all the administrative hassles.
Complexity of Infrastructure
This is yet another area where DaaS emerges as a clear winner as compared to VDI. In case of VDI, you need to setup a data center along with all the supporting hardware resources. Once the data center is fully setup, you also need to secure this VDI solution.
This requires both additional financial and human resources. The critical organizational data is at stake and in the absence of proper cyber security protocols, you risk losing valuable data that resides over your VDI solution.
DaaS on the other hand does not put you through all this hassle. Firstly, all the hardware related to your DaaS solution is the sole responsibility of your cloud provider like dinCloud. Secondly, when we talk of DaaS, there is zero to minimal hardware on premise.
All your virtual desktops and their accompanying data are securely housed in the data centers of your public cloud provider like dinCloud. To support the DaaS solution, no actual hardware resources are required on premise, which greatly reduces complexity.
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Data and Cyber Security
Lastly, the security of data from internal vulnerabilities and external threats is yet another area where DaaS truly outperforms VDI. Public cloud providers like dinCloud adopt a multi pronged approach to data and cyber security.
In case of VDI on the other hand, security of the entire infrastructure is also the sole responsibility of the deploying entity. Even if you can somehow secure your VDI solution, the accompanying costs will be too high to sustain over prolonged periods.
Sooner or later, the high costs of maintaining and securing the VDI solution will become unsustainable and ultimately, you will have to compromise on security. This can potentially render your data exposed to internal vulnerabilities and external threats.
Conclusion – DaaS Outperforms VDI
Based on the above few decision criteria, we can easily conclude that DaaS is a far superior and cost effective solution for Desktop Virtualization as compared to VDI. However, what’s important is that you choose your cloud service provider (CSP) wisely.
dinCloud is considered among the leading public cloud providers in the industry. dinCloud’s class leading DaaS solution (dinHVD) is secure, reliable and cost effective, making it a top contender for your remote work and other productivity needs.
The DaaS solutions by dinCloud offer a seamless end user experience by integrating fully licensed and patched enterprise software or productivity applications. Contact Us for your DaaS needs and dinCloud will be there to serve your remote work needs effectively.
