Desktop Virtualization With VDI-Optimized Dell EqualLogic Hybrid Arrays

To justify adopting virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), desktop virtual machines (VMs) must be deployed at much higher densities than server VMs ― at least five to ten times higher in many cases. But dense VM deployments tend to expose performance problems and edge conditions through the virtual IT stack, from memory and CPU contentions to I/O (input/output) bottlenecks.

Overcome the challenges and maximize the benefits of desktop virtualization with virtualization desktop infrastructure (VDI)-optimized Dell™ EqualLogic™ PS6000XVS and PS6010XVS storage area network (SAN) arrays. With eight high-performance, 100GB solid-state drives (SSDs) and eight high-capacity, 450GB 15000 rpm serial attached SCSI (SAS) drives, these hybrid arrays offer the low latency of SSD with the high capacity of SAS in a single EqualLogic array member.

Dell has expanded on the PS Series family’s built-in volume and network load balancing with automatic tiering software, bringing intelligence to the autonomic movement of workloads at the subvolume level. This software automatically places the linked clone parent replica image ― a desktop image that shares virtual disks with a common base image ― on the low-latency, high-performance SSD tier to ensure maximum throughput, while temporary data and users’ unique application data is placed on low-cost, capacity-optimized SAS drives.

The PS6000XVS and PS6010XVS can perform workload optimization even on volumes containing a mix of workload types and storage needs. In a VMware® View™ environment, the EqualLogic PS XVS arrays deliver the following benefits:

• Lower VDI costs by executing workloads on the most cost-effective storage media
• Higher performance by placing read-sensitive replica images on low-latency SSD media
• Simpler operations using automated and intelligent onboard tiering software