Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Manufacturing networking systems
News Release from: Zeus Technology | Subject: ZXTM virtual desktop broker
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 25 April 2007

Intelligent connection for remote
desktops

ZXTM VDB provides secure remote access to desktops that are running in virtual environments such as VMware's ESX Server or Microsoft's Virtual Server

Zeus Technology, a leading provider of award-winning application traffic management and load balancing software, has announced its entry into the virtual desktop market with the launch of ZXTM VDB (ZXTM Virtual Desktop Broker), a connection broker for any virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) remote desktop ZXTM VDB provides secure remote access to desktops that are running in virtual environments such as VMware's ESX Server or Microsoft's Virtual Server

It allows users to connect to the computing resources they need via a thin client such as the Wyse S10, or a computer with remote desktop protocol capabilities.

Its sophisticated policy-based engine means that administrators can define 'pools' of desktops - such as an administrator, power user or basic user - that are assigned to users based on their security and resource requirements.

ZXTM VDB allows organisations to reduce the cost of managing large desktop fleets by consolidating desktop hardware and reducing maintenance and upgrade costs.

The solution improves manageability by making it easier for IT managers to maintain desktops, roll out upgrades and patches, migrate users and recover from hardware failure.

This is particularly compelling for organisations that maintain significant numbers of replicated desktops, such as those with a large call centre or back office.

The solution enforces a strong security model through client authentication and Zeus' 'gateway' architecture, which makes it impossible for rogue users to bypass the connection broker and attack the desktop directly.

Because the desktop resides within the data centre the solution also allows for stricter compliance with data protection regulations.

For example, companies can pursue offshore outsourcing without having to worry about data residing on unprotected PCs in other countries.

organisations with a mobile workforce can provide employees with remote access to corporate data, without worrying about data theft should their laptop be lost or stolen.

"Dell has chosen Zeus Technology as part of the Dell virtualisation ecosystem in recognition of their market leadership in connection brokering and load balancing for network traffic".

"Zeus have utilised their knowledge and experience to provide Dell with an appliance that will form a fundamental component of our Virtual Desktop Solution," said Nigel Goodwin, virtualisation and Consolidation Practice Lead - EMEA.

"The Zeus ZXTM VDB connection broker provides Dell with a scaleable solution for secure multi-entry point connections to virtual desktops".

"Using industry standard directory look-up and mapping, ZXTM VDB enhances Dell's practice of standardisation and provides our customers with point solutions without vendor or technology lock-in".

"VDI is fast becoming a compelling alternative for organisations looking to improve manageability, reduce costs and improve security across their IT infrastructures," said Paul Di Leo, CEO of Zeus Technology".

""Connection brokers are a critical component of a virtual desktop environment, providing an intelligent link between the virtualised desktop and the end-user client".

"ZXTM VDB differentiates itself through enhanced security, flexibility, ease of deployment, reliability and cost effectiveness".

Key features of ZXTM VDB include:.

* Single point of entry: ZXTM VDB is the single point of contact for all remote desktop users, securing desktops by checking users' credentials before connecting them.

* Connection management and rules engine: Users are connected to desktops based on rules defined by the administrator.

In the simplest case, users are assigned to particular pools and are connected to an available virtual desktop.

More complex rules based on a number of parameters can be created using a powerful rules engine.

* Automatic reconnection: If the user loses their connection to a session on a particular desktop, ZXTM VDB will reconnect them to this desktop when the network recovers.

* Connection Draining: Allows the administrator to take virtual machines out of service for maintenance or upgrade without disrupting logged-in users.

* Monitoring: ZXTM VDB monitors availability and will only connect users to desktops known to be working correctly.

If a virtual desktop fails, ZXTM VDB will raise an alert and will not try to connect users to that machine until it detects that it is working properly again.

* Administrative interface: ZXTM VDB is managed from an easy to use web-based interface.

In addition to allowing the configuration of pools and rules, this reports on all connections to the pools, and allows the administrator to forcibly disconnect users.

ZXTM VDB is available as software for servers running Linux, and is also available in a range of convenient hardware appliances.

• Zeus Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Manufacturingtalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Manufacturingtalk newsletter  |   Manufacturingtalk Home
About Manufacturingtalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2008 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK