Information Technology Services

WAKE TECHINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Information Technology Services

Providing Virtual ComputingProviding Virtual Computingto the Communityto the Community

September 15, 2008September 15, 2008

Providing Virtual ComputingProviding Virtual Computingto the Communityto the Community

September 15, 2008September 15, 2008


What Would You PutWhat Would You PutInto A New College?Into A New College?


Technology Use on CampusTechnology Use on Campus

• Can be viewed as a “necessary utility”.Can be viewed as a “necessary utility”.

• Computing technology is indispensible.Computing technology is indispensible.

• Requires a significant investment in:Requires a significant investment in:– InfrastructureInfrastructure– PersonnelPersonnel– MaintenanceMaintenance– BudgetBudget

Source: http://www.compuscomputing.net


DefinitionsDefinitions

• Thin ClientThin Client: A student on your campus : A student on your campus uses an inexpensive device using RDP uses an inexpensive device using RDP protocol to communicate with centralized protocol to communicate with centralized servers.servers.

• Virtual ClientVirtual Client: A student, either on or off : A student, either on or off your campus, uses web-based access and your campus, uses web-based access and RDP protocol to communicate with RDP protocol to communicate with centralized servers.centralized servers.


About “Thin Client” About “Thin Client” ComputingComputing• Use inexpensive “thin client” device or Use inexpensive “thin client” device or

RDP (remote desktop protocol)RDP (remote desktop protocol)

• Communicate with a special serverCommunicate with a special server

• All programs are run centrally on the All programs are run centrally on the special serversspecial servers

• Using Using VirtualizationVirtualization, multiple sessions (as , multiple sessions (as many as 30 to 60) can run concurrently on many as 30 to 60) can run concurrently on a single servera single server


Back in the Olden Days…Back in the Olden Days…


Back in the Olden Days…Back in the Olden Days…


Decentralzied Desktop Decentralzied Desktop ComputingComputingFor the past 20 For the past 20

years, desktop years, desktop computing has been computing has been decentralized, decentralized, meaning that all meaning that all computing power computing power was self-contained.was self-contained.


Full CircleFull Circle• Technology is now fast enough and cheap Technology is now fast enough and cheap

enough to make the centralized model enough to make the centralized model cost-effective. cost-effective.

• It’s better for security, for software It’s better for security, for software licensing, and is licensing, and is much, much easiermuch, much easier to to maintain.maintain.


How They Work…How They Work…


How It WorksHow It Works• Disk Images are created Disk Images are created

on the local SAN, or on the local SAN, or Storage Attached Storage Attached Network.Network.

• The programs run on the The programs run on the centralized blade server centralized blade server center.center.

• It allows support to be It allows support to be mostlymostly centralized centralized

• This reduces the time it This reduces the time it takes to “image”, or takes to “image”, or prepare machines for prepare machines for classclass


Thin Client ComputingThin Client Computing


Thin Thin Clients in Clients in

ActionAction


A Thin-Client Computing LabA Thin-Client Computing Lab


About “Virtual Client” About “Virtual Client” ComputingComputing• All programs are run centrally on the All programs are run centrally on the

special serversspecial servers

• Using Using VirtualizationVirtualization, multiple sessions (as , multiple sessions (as many as 30 to 60) can run concurrently on many as 30 to 60) can run concurrently on a single servera single server

• Usually web-basedUsually web-based

• Perfect for distance learningPerfect for distance learning

• Perfect for bringing low-cost computing to Perfect for bringing low-cost computing to remote locationsremote locations






And Now For Some MathAnd Now For Some Math


The Cost Of Thin Client The Cost Of Thin Client ComputingComputing Item

New ThinClient Lab

Traditional Computer Lab

Server Cost $ 2,691.50 $ -

Virtualization SW $ 12,118.00 $ -

Connection Broker $ 1,750.00 $ -

DevonIT Thin Clients ($138.00 ea) $ 3,450.00 $ -

Computer ($1,255.19 ea) $ - $ 31,379.75

Cost Per Lab* $ 20,009.50 $ 31,379.75 Life Span in years 10 5

Cost per Lab per Year $ 2,000.95 $ 6,275.95

* No tax, shipping, or handling was included in the calculations for this comparison.


Building Out a New CenterBuilding Out a New Center4 Computer Labs of 25 Seats Each4 Computer Labs of 25 Seats Each

Traditional Lab Thin Client Virtual Client

Computing Device $120,000 $30,000 $0

Infrastructure $50,000 $50,000 $0

Servers $0 $10,000 $10,000

Storage $0 $30,000 $30,000

TOTAL $170,000 $120,000 $40,000

Assumptions:Assumptions:•Dell computers at $1,200 eachDell computers at $1,200 each•Devon IT thin clients at $138 eachDevon IT thin clients at $138 each•Infrastructure (wiring, switches, servers) at $500 per seatInfrastructure (wiring, switches, servers) at $500 per seat•Servers (50 sessions per blade, no chassis costs included)Servers (50 sessions per blade, no chassis costs included)•No remote software (VMWare) costs includedNo remote software (VMWare) costs included•Virtual computing requires no labsVirtual computing requires no labs


Building Out a New CenterBuilding Out a New Center4 Computer Labs of 25 Seats Each4 Computer Labs of 25 Seats Each

Traditional Lab Thin Client Virtual Client

Cost $170,000 $120,000 $40,000

Labor $45,000/year $01 $01

Remote Presence2

None Some All

More Benefits and Assumptions:More Benefits and Assumptions:1.1.It would cost $45,000 per year to house a full-time technician at the new Center; It would cost $45,000 per year to house a full-time technician at the new Center; Thin and virtual clients would be supported remotely.Thin and virtual clients would be supported remotely.2.2.With “Thin” or “Virtual” client infrastructure, students can access your software With “Thin” or “Virtual” client infrastructure, students can access your software and systems remotely.and systems remotely.


Bringing “Free” ComputingBringing “Free” ComputingTo the CommunityTo the Community

• Thin clients decrease your purchase and Thin clients decrease your purchase and operations costs.operations costs.

• Virtual clients further decrease your Virtual clients further decrease your purchase costs, and give you:purchase costs, and give you:– The ability to provide software to anyone, anywhereThe ability to provide software to anyone, anywhere– The ability to provide lab experiences to people with The ability to provide lab experiences to people with

their own computing resourcestheir own computing resources– The ability to generate FTE and provide services The ability to generate FTE and provide services

where none existed beforewhere none existed before


QuestionsQuestionsThank you for your time and attention!Thank you for your time and attention!

Comments or questions?Comments or questions?

Darryl McGraw, CIODarryl McGraw, CIO

Wake Technical Community CollegeWake Technical Community College

Phone: (919) 866-5108Phone: (919) 866-5108Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Documents

Information Technology Services