Comprehensive image management for branch office desktops

Solution BriefIBM Systems and Technology

Branch offices are a critical component of organizations today, helping to extend market reach and provide a local presence. But with the number of branch offices already in the millions, IT organizations need to find new ways to simplify and lower the costs of managing these environ-ments. While virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offers a compelling case for reduced costs and greater control, traditional deployments can fall short of meeting the unique challenges associated with remote and branch offices, including lower-speed wide area network (WAN) connec-tions or the need to retain physical desktops. As a result, organizations need a more comprehensive desktop virtualization approach for branch offices.

Together, IBM and VMware® offer a means to simply, securely and cost-effectively address the multiple requirements of the branch office. IBM® SmartCloud™ Desktop Infrastructure with VMware for branch offices can give IT greater control while enabling higher levels of produc-tivity and performance. Built on fully validated reference architecture, this virtual desktop solution supports centralized management with f lexible deployment options to best address requirements for accessing applica-tions and data on physical endpoints and virtual machines.

Facilitating security-rich productivity through hosted virtual desktop managementHosted virtual desktops can provide a streamlined, cost-effective and secure way to manage branch office workers who access their applications and data from remote locations. By leveraging the SmartCloud Desktop

Highlights● ● ●● Facilitates security-rich performance and

productivity through hosted virtual desk-top management

● ● ●● Simplifies image maintenance and disas-ter recovery with centralized management

● ● ●● Helps streamline deployment with a fully validated reference architecture and broad portfolio of flexible configurations

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Solution BriefIBM Systems and Technology

Infrastructure reference architecture, IT organizations that opt for a more distributed VDI model can move virtual desktop infrastructure closer to end users to optimize application response times and improve performance. IT can in turn remotely manage, patch and back up users in the data center.

Where WAN links are robust and reliable, SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure with VMware for branch offices integrates powerful VMware View™ technology—together with VMware® Cloud Networking and Security and vCenter™ Operations Manager™ for View (vCOps)—to help organiza-tions adopt an automated, policy-driven approach to manage branch end users. VMware View moves desktops and applica-tions into the cloud and lets you deliver them to remote loca-tions as a managed service. With VMware View and VMware ThinApp, IT can more easily control desktops by granting or restricting access to desktops, data and applications based on endpoint device configuration, network location and user identity.

The vCenter Operations Manager for View gives IT adminis-trators broad insight into desktop performance, health and effi-ciency to help pinpoint issues and optimize resource utilization. This information enables rapid intervention for troubleshooting and proactive management of the desktop environment to help lower the cost of owning and operating virtual desktop environments.

The vCloud Networking and Security suite of products, includ-ing vShield App and vShield Edge, helps protect virtual machines through robust firewalls and policy-based rules based on IP addresses, business or application requirements. vShield Edge can segment resource pools and allow IT to provide a common set of services to any virtual machine within a defined perimeter.

Simplifying image management and disaster recoveryIn branch and remote offices, many end users have laptops, desktops or unmanaged virtual machines that have sporadic or poor connectivity. SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure with VMware for branch offices helps address this requirement with

The Branch Office Desktop with VMware View and VMware Mirage includes these core components.

HQ site Branch site

IBM SystemNetworking

HQusers

Branchusers

Client Access Networks

F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager

F5 BIG-IP Global Traffic Manager

View SecurityServer 1

View ConnectionManager 1

AD RADIUS CA SQL

View ConnectionManager 2

View SecurityServer 2

vCENTER VCNS VCOPS Mirage

Fileand print

Persona Persona data Persona dataActive Directory DFS

Active Directory DFS

Synchronization

CacheMirage CVD Store

Corp data

hq.corp.com

Site link

Branch.hq.corp.com

Corp data

Persistentvirtual

desktops

IBM x240 Compute Node

IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis

IBM Rapid Desktop Appliance(X3650 M4)

IBM x240 Compute Node

Statelessvirtual

desktops

Statelessvirtual

desktops

VMware vSphere

APPOS

APPOS

APPOS

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APPO APP

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APPO

APPO

APPO APP

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APPOS

APPOS

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Client Access Networks

F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager

View SecurityServer 1

View ConnectionManager 1

AD Radius CA SQL

View ConnectionManager 2

View SecurityServer 2

vCENTERVCNS VCOPSBranchReflector

Fileand print

Persona V4V

Persistentvirtual

desktops

Statelessvirtual

desktops

Statelessvirtual

desktops

VMware vSphere

APPOS

APPOS

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Solution BriefIBM Systems and Technology

centralized image management and disaster recovery for both physical endpoints and virtual machines. VMware Mirage cen-tralizes copies of endpoint images in the data center, where they are protected and managed, while end users maintain produc-tivity with local copies on their PC.

By providing continuous synchronization over the WAN between the local and central copies, VMware Mirage helps ensure endpoint images are easily managed, maintained and updated. IT can manage a single image across a diverse range of devices that can be easily recovered, moved or migrated, and distribute a single image to a group of PCs anywhere on the network quickly and easily. And by decoupling the individual components of the image into different layers, VMware Mirage ensures IT can easily maintain core images in compliance with-out disrupting user data or profiles.

Streamlining deployment with a broad portfolio and flexible configurationsEvery organization has unique business and technology needs. SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure with VMware for branch offices is designed to address a broad range of branch and remote office requirements through smoother integration with a range of technologies:

● ●● IBM System x® servers, IBM PureFlex™ System and IBM Storwize® V7000 Unified. Recognized in the indus-try for quality, reliability and innovation, these technologies offer powerful building blocks for the SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure. A broad portfolio of f lexible configurations offer enhanced memory, high-speed I/O and industry-leading availability and reliability features—a combination designed to reduce operating costs, simplify management and keep your virtualized desktop infrastructure up and running.

● ●● F5 BIG-IP Application Delivery Networking solutions. Designed for intelligent local and global traffic management, these solutions include BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM), which offers an application-centric perspective to traffic management, and BIG-IP Global Traffic Manager (GTM), which can direct traffic to the closest or best per-forming data center. Together, LTM and GTM can offer scalability, security and availability to virtual desktops deploy-ments of any size.

● ●● Trend Micro Deep Security server security platform. This includes tightly integrated modules for anti-malware, intrusion detection and protection, applications and firewalls to help ensure server, application and data security across physical, virtual and cloud servers, as well as in virtual desktops

● ●● IBM Security Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On. Features from this solution can be incorporated to ensure streamlined user access with automated sign-on and sign-off. A single password for all applications can reduce help desk costs, improve productivity and strengthen security for virtualized desktops.

● ●● IBM Tivoli® Endpoint Manager. Built on BigFix® technology, it combines endpoint and security management into a single solution that enables your team to see and man-age physical and virtual endpoints, such as servers, desktops, roaming laptops and mobile devices, as well as specialized equipment such as point-of-sale devices, ATMs and self- service kiosks.

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Solution BriefIBM Systems and Technology

IBM SmartCloud Desktop Services offers an end-to-end approach for SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure implementation

IBM SmartCloud Desktop InfrastructureBest Practices and Services

Business needs

User requirements

Technical requirements

Possible scenarios

TCO (high level)

Data gathering andanalysis

Findings

High level solutiondesign

Solution interfaces

Labor and costestimates

Project Management

Detailed solution design

Set up of pre-production

Verification of time and cost estimate

Application testing

Order Hardware and software

Project Management

Set up production

Application testing

Piloting

Changes due to piloting

Rollout

Handing over of solution

Project Management

Adjustments of the system environment

Administration

Support

Cloud services

PlanningWorkshop

Proof of Concept

Develop PreliminaryBusiness Case

Create Analysis andStrategy Document

Create a DesignDocument

Assessment

& Planning

Design

Implement Operate

Manage

Implementthe Solution

Provide OngoingServices

In addition, robust services can help accelerate your transition to a less complex, virtualized desktop environment, leveraging a proven execution model. SmartCloud Desktop Services use time-tested methodologies, proprietary tools and extensive expertise developed through real-world client implementations

for virtual desktop environments. Robust services—including assessment and planning, design and implementation, as well as operation and management—and a phased delivery approach help speed your return on investment and reduce the risk of business disruption.

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Solution BriefIBM Systems and Technology

About IBM PartnersIntel Intel® Xeon® processor E5-4600/2600/2400/1600 product families are designed to deliver a combination of performance, built-in capabilities, and cost-effectiveness. They are the heart of a f lexible and efficient data center that can meet diverse needs—from virtualization and cloud computing to design automation or real-time financial transactions. Offering better-than-ever performance, I/O latency is dramatically reduced with Intel Integrated I/O, which helps you eliminate data bottlenecks, streamline operations and increase agility. More information is available at www.intel.com

Trend Micro Trend Micro Incorporated is a global virtualization and cloud security leader. It creates a world safe for exchanging digital information with its Internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers. Additional information about Deep Security can be found at www.trendmicro.com/us/enterprise/cloud-solutions/ deep-security/index.html.

Why IBM?IBM has been a leader in large-scale virtualization for four decades, building strong intellectual capital and experience as a trusted adviser of end-user services to more than 4,000 com-panies. Along with IBM, VMware has brought innovation to virtualization and shares a strong track record across virtually every industry. Together IBM and VMware offer world-class solutions to help branch and remote office clients plan, imple-ment and manage a more cost-effective, centralized and virtual-ized desktop environment.

For more informationTo learn more about IBM SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure with VMware for ranch ffices, please contact your IBM repre-sentative or IBM Business Partner, or visit the following website: ibm.com/systems/x/solutions/desktopvirtualization

Additionally, IBM Global Financing can help you acquire the IT solutions that your business needs in the most cost-effective and strategic way possible. We’ll partner with credit-qualified clients to customize an IT financing solution to suit your busi-ness goals, enable effective cash management, and improve your total cost of ownership. IBM Global Financing is your smartest choice to fund critical IT investments and propel your business forward. For more information, visit: ibm.com/financing

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2012

IBM Corporation New Orchard Road Armonk, NY 10504

Produced in the United States of America November 2012

IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com SmartCloud, System x, PureFlex, Storwize, Tivoli and Bigfix are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. A current list of IBM trademarks is available on the web at “Copyright and trademark information” at ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml

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