VHD Central Management System

Introduction to Diskless

VHD Central Management System solutions use streaming technology to deliver virtualized hard disks to diskless workstations across a network. This allows centralized IT management and storage whilst delivering a full PC user experience to the clients.

Using virtual hard disk streaming replaces the traditional method of booting an operating system from local disk. This is an innovative methodology for centralizing the hard disks of client computers and delivering a choice of images on-demand.

VHD CMS System Architecture

The architecture of the VHD CMS is comprised of a Boot Sever and one or more I/O Servers which together provide diskless client workstations with the Virtual Hard Disks service.

• Client computers use the PXE boot feature to access the DHCP Server which provides IP information to allow the client to connect to the Boot Server.
• The Boot Server is used to authenticate client access to the system and contains a TFTP Server to transfer the Virtual Hard Disk connection information to the Client computer.
• Once the client has been authenticated by the Boot Server and got the connection information it connects to the I/O server providing the Virtual Hard Disk service.

The following diagram shows the complete architecure:

VHD Central Management System Solutions:

• VHD CMS Professional™

  The VHD CMS Professional™ is an advanced virtual hard disk solution for delivering standard images — OS and Application stacks — on-demand to computers in environments such as school classrooms, libraries and internet cafés.

  More: VHD CMS Professional™ | Benefits and Features | Contact Us

• VHD CMS Enterprise™

  The VHD CMS Enterprise™ is a dramatic leap forward in virtual hard disk delivery technology bringing virtual hard disk technology to the workplace. Delivery of virtual hard disks is determined by authentication of the user — not by which physical computer is being used.

  More: VHD CMS Enterprise ™ | Benefits and Features | Contact Us

• VHD CMS Lite™

  The VHD CMS Lite ™ edition is a slim version of our CMS software which is perfect for small offices with few computers who want to make use of a virtual hard disk delivery solution, without losing the simplicity of a small network.

  More: VHD CMS Lite™ (Due for release: 2008 Q4) | Contact Us

CMS Solutions Comparison:

Usability Features
Feature	Professional Edition	Enterprise Edition
64-bit Support
Max. Computer Number	1500	3000	* actual number determined by license agreement
Account-Based Management
Max. Account Number		5000
Active Directory Support			*login integrates with AD
Persistent Machine Password Support
Persistent TSCL Support			*Support persistent save for TSCAL into virtual hard disk for each computer.
Image Menu Support
Max Menu Number	32	32
Max Packs per Menu	6	6
.vhd Virtual Disk Support
Raw Virtual Disk Support

High Availability
Feature	Professional Edition	Enterprise Edition
Multiple I/O Server Support
Multi-path Virtual Hard Disk
Simple Disk Pack
Balance Disk Pack
Concurrent Disk Pack
Local Disk Boot

Server Platform Supportability
Feature	Professional Edition	Enterprise Edition
64-bit Windows 2008
32-bit Windows 2008
64-bit Windows 2003
32-bit Windows 2003
Linux	In development	In development	*due for completion Q4 2009

Client Platform Supportability
Feature	Professional Edition	Enterprise Edition
32/64-bit Windows 2008
32/64-bit Windows 2003
32/64-bit Windows Vista
32-bit Windows XP
MSDOS / FreeDOS
Microsoft Diskless Licenses
Linux	In development	In development	*due for completion Q4 2009

Features
Feature	Professional Edition	Enterprise Edition
Hardware Isolation Tools
Hardware Independence
PXE Compatible
MS DTM Certified	pending	pending	* certificate pending completion
Refreshed Disk
Persistent Disk
Authorized Login
System Snapshot
Data Snapshot
Shadow Function
Business Continuity	Client Reboot Required