Novell eDirectory users - Unidesk gives you virtual desktop management, and these brokers can give you access

Customers and integrators are looking for ways to architect VDI using Novell eDirectory. I previously blogged on how Unidesk integrates with eDirectory for provisioning, management & personalization of virtual desktops, and VMware vSphere to host the virtual desktops. But you still need to determine how to provide end users access to the hosted virtual desktops. That's where the broker comes in.

A broker is what connects the end users/end user devices to the virtual desktops hosted in the data center.

To date, we have come across three broker solutions that integrate with Novell eDirectory at our customer sites:

1. Leostream
2. Pano Logic
3. RDC or RDP (the free Windows tool)
4. Home Grown

Leostream Connection Broker

The latest release, Connection Broker 7.0, provides functions for operations and change management, user access, security and compliance and supports mobile devices including the Apple iPad.

One customer that has implemented Leostream is University of Rennes. They are quite public about their praise of the broker. In a recent Leostream press release, Rennes IT Director Humberto Duarte says, "All these users connect to the VMs from laptops using Leostream. Now they want to extend this functionality to their handheld devices."

More information on the Leostream broker can be found here: http://www.leostream.com/products/connection_broker.php

Pano Logic

The Pano Logic solution is not just a broker, but an award-winning Zero Client device as well. Many organizations have chosen to use the deep integration between Pano Logic and Unidesk to provide their users with a seamless virtual desktop solution.

Jeff Cunningham, Director of IT at The University of Maryland Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has implemented the combination of Unidesk and Pano Logic. He states, "As we continue through our PC refresh cycle, the Pano Logic zero clients give us the reduced energy, repair, and replacement costs and ubiquitous user access we're looking for. From the management side, Unidesk is a game-changer. I can now custom-build lab and end user desktops without leaving my office, and rely on Unidesk's layering ability to dynamically combine the right gold image of Microsoft Windows with the right applications I've assigned."

Cunningham said Pano Logic and Unidesk are a natural fit for VDI given their shared focus on making virtual desktops cost-effective to procure, deploy, and manage, without sacrificing any of the personal computing experience. Added Cunningham, "Our students and faculty are knowledge workers of the highest order who expect their virtual desktops to be readily available with the applications they need, including applications they install themselves. Together, Unidesk and Pano Logic make this possible."

Read the full Pano Logic and University of Maryland press release.

Remote Desktop Connection (you know, RDC or RDP, the free tool on Windows)

For customers looking for the free option, you can use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC or RDP). RDC isn't actually a broker in the traditional sense: it does not provide any graphics accelerators, security mechanisms, or an automated connection between users and unknown desktops, but did I mention it is free? And doesn’t care what your LDAP server is?

RDC comes built in to the Windows platform (Programs -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection) and enables the user to make a connection to a known desktop (by name or IP address). Check out the Microsoft article on using RDP to connect to XP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx

Here is the section about using RDC on Windows 7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Remote-Desktop-Connection-frequently-asked-questions

It is especially useful in enabling you to do a free Proof of Concept with Unidesk.

Home Grown Solutions

If your company has the time, resources, and inclination, you can always build your own broker. The companies I have seen do this don't speak about it publically, but suffice it to say: They had the time, resources, and inclination.

So, Novell eDirectory users, there are your options!
Did I miss any? Let me know! We'd be glad to add them to our list to best serve our customers with best-of-breed solutions.

Nicole Reineke
Director, Product Management
Follow me @NicoleReineke