XenDesktop vs. VDI-in-a-Box

We’ve been writing a lot lately about the Citrix VDI-in-a-Box (ViaB) product. The logical question, then, is: if ViaB is simpler to install and manage than XenDesktop, and less expensive than XenDesktop, when would it be appropriate to buy XenDesktop rather than ViaB?

In our opinion, there are several scenarios where XenDesktop licenses might make more sense. For example:

You want to deploy XenApp, and your concurrency ratio is 2-to-1 or lower.
XenDesktop Enterprise and Platinum include XenApp Enterprise and Platinum, respectively, but the user / device license is roughly half the price of XenApp. Therefore, if your ratio of total users to concurrent users is less than 2-to-1, it will be less expensive to purchase XenDesktop licenses for your XenApp deployment.

You already have a virtualized server infrastructure with shared storage.
One of the benefits of ViaB is that you do not need a SAN. As you add ViaB hosts to scale up your environment, they are automatically incorporated into the ViaB “grid,” and all of your settings and master images are automatically replicated among the hosts.

Another benefit is that you don't need the supporting server infrastructure. XenDesktop requires a Citrix license server, a SQL database, a Desktop Delivery Controller server, Desktop Director server, etc. Yes, you can consolidate some of these roles, but the point is that you need some control servers that are separate and distinct from the virtualization hosts that are supporting the virtual desktops themselves. ViaB has all the necessary functions in one box.

But if you already have a SAN, and you already have a server virtualization infrastructure, then, assuming that you have adequate SAN capacity and sufficient resources on your virtualization hosts, it isn’t quite as bothersome to go ahead and stand up the server components that you need.

You need the FlexCast flexibility that comes with XenDesktop Enterprise or Platinum.
Both XenDesktop Enterprise and Platinum give you a range of options for providing virtual desktops and applications to your users. You can provision desktop images not only to virtualization hosts, but also to desktop PCs and blade PCs. You get access to XenClient. You can use XenApp to either stream packaged applications to your provisioned desktops, or you can choose to bake the Citrix client into your desktop images and execute some, or all, of your applications on XenApp servers. And you can deliver shared, hosted desktops from XenApp servers to users who don’t need a dedicated PC desktop operating system.

You want access to the Platinum feature set.
XenDesktop Platinum Edition includes Branch Repeater client licenses. It also gives you access to all of the XenApp Platinum features, such as the EdgeSight monitoring tool, and ICA session recording capability.

You need high-performance 3D graphics.
XenDesktop gives you access to the HDX 3D Pro feature set, which allows you to assign a high-performance graphics card (installed in the virtualization host) to a specific virtual desktop to deliver 3D graphics apps to a remote user.

You already have a XenApp infrastructure.
If you already have XenApp, and now want to expand into VDI, the most cost-effective path is probably the Citrix trade-up program, which lets you trade up your XenApp licenses for XenDesktop licenses. If you trade up all of your XenApp licenses, you can receive two XenDesktop user/device licenses for each XenApp license.

Cloud-Based Backup from Moose Logic

Consider this a “nag” message about cloud-based backup services from Moose Logic.

You know that you need to get a copy of your critical data off-site. But you also know that it can be difficult to administer if you don’t have a second site of your own that you can use for data replication.

You have to remember to take that set of backup tapes—or that removable hard drive—with you every Friday, and bring the other set in every Monday. If the person responsible for that forgets to do it, or is out sick, or on vacation, your rotation is messed up.

And what if a major disaster strikes on a Thursday night? Are you really OK with rolling back to last Friday’s data?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could back up to the cloud on a near-continuous basis? With our backup service, you can automatically send changes to critical documents off to the cloud as frequently as every 15 minutes!

Your data is encrypted before it leaves your system using 256-bit AES encryption, and stored, in encrypted form, in two secure data centers located thousands of miles apart. Each facility meets the highest standards for security and reliability, including backup generator power and redundant connections to the Internet.

Pricing starts at just $1.50/month/Gb. So there’s no excuse any more for not getting a copy of your most critical data out of your building—automatically!

Give us a call and let’s talk about disaster protection in the cloud.

Laughing the Stress Away

"If you can laugh at it, you can survive it.” -- Bill Cosby

Stress affects everyone and has become one of the most serious health issues of our times. There are many ways to deal with stress, some more effective than others. One of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce stress is to find humor in your daily life.

In fact, in turns out that laughing is good for your overall health. Researchers have found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in humorous situations than those with healthy hearts. Laughter strengthens the immune system and lowers high levels of stress hormones. Business researchers have also recognized the benefits of laughter and humor in problem solving and creativity in business environments. Workers who find their jobs fun perform better and get along better with co-workers than those who do not view their jobs as fun.

It is easy to inject humor into your daily life. Take time each day to enjoy something funny. Read a book of jokes or talk to a friend who makes you laugh. Also, being able to laugh at yourself goes a long way towards reducing stress. Humor can keep you from taking yourself too seriously and can make dealing with others easier. It can also distract you from the situation that is causing you stress, allowing you to take a moment to see things in a different light.

So, next time you are feeling stressed out, take a moment for yourself. Take a deep breath, smile, and think a funny thought. Grab a bite to eat with a funny friend or watch your favorite sitcom. Although it doesn’t get rid of the situation, you will be better equipped to handle your daily stress.

Eye Health As We Age

According to a survey by the Ocular Nutrition Society, four in five baby boomers ranked their vision as the most important sense. In fact, those same people said that they worry about vision loss almost as much as contracting cancer or heart disease. But only fifty percent said they visit an eye doctor at least once a year.

What is the best way to protect your vision as you age? First, you should get an eye exam every year. Your doctor can help you know if you are at risk for eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Be sure to know and discuss your family history of eye disease.

You should also protect your eyes by not smoking and always wearing sunglasses with UV protection. Regular exercise is not only good for your body, but also contributes to eye health as well.

Finally, be aware of the role nutrition plays in eye health. Vital nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega 3 protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy. To increase these nutrients in your diet, eat greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, along with salmon, halibut, and tuna. If you think you have shortfalls in your diet, you can take a vitamin supplement specifically formulated for eye health.

Pet Etiquette On the Road

When you’re traveling with your pet, you can have a better time for you and your animal if you keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure your pet is healthy before you leave home. Get a check-up at your vet. Tell your vet where you are traveling so you can get some information on how to keep your pet healthy on the road.
• Keep vaccinations current and double-check requirements if you are traveling outside of the country or to a quarantine area.
• Let your pet get used to its carrier before you leave home. It is best to give your dog or cat a few weeks to feel comfortable in a carrier.
• If you are flying with your pet, don’t feed him or her within four hours of takeoff. No water should be given within two hours of takeoff.
• Don't give your pet tranquilizers or motion sickness medication unless recommended by your vet.
• Have all your contact information on your pet’s collar. Make sure the collar is secure and is not worn or frayed.

Going Nuts: Pecan Trivia and Tasty Recipes

April is National Pecan Month. Here are some pecan facts:

• Every pecan pie uses 1/2 to 3/4 pound of pecans. There are about 78 pecans used in every pecan pie.
• The pecan tree is the state tree of Texas.
• Pecans are the only tree nut that is truly native to the United States.
• Pecan trees are alternate-bearing trees, meaning that they produce nuts every second year.
• Georgia is the state that produces the most pecans.
• The United States produces about 85% of the world’s pecan crop, with an annual production of about 200 million pounds.
• There are over 500 varieties of pecans today.
• Okmulgee, Oklahoma, holds the world’s records for the largest pecan pie, pecan cookie, and pecan brownie.
• In the 1970s, pecan halves were selected as the first and only fresh food eaten by astronauts headed to the moon.

Try These Tasty Recipes

Sugared Peanuts
In a heavy saucepan, combine two cups of peanuts, one cup of sugar, and 1/2 cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about ten minutes. Spread the peanuts on a buttered sheet pan and bake in a 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool and store in a covered container.

Crockpot Sugared Walnuts
In a crockpot, stir 16 ounces of walnut pieces and 1/2 cup melted butter together. Add 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and stir until well blended. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are coated with a crisp glaze, usually about two hours. Sprinkle the nuts with a well-blended mixture of cinnamon, allspice, and ginger. Cool before serving.

Barbecued Pecans
Melt two tablespoons butter in a large saucepan. Add 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, one tablespoon ketchup, and two dashes hot sauce. Add four cups pecan halves and stir to coat well. Spread on a buttered sheet pan and toast at 400 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool before serving.

Teriyaki Almonds
Toss two cups of almonds with one teaspoon of lemon juice, one tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, one tablespoon soy sauce, one teaspoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Add salt to taste and toss to coat well. Spread on a buttered sheet pan and toast at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Tax Season Humor

Feat of Strength
The local bar had a long-running contest to find the strongest man around. In order to win the $500 prize, a contender had to prove his strength. First, the bartender would squeeze a lemon until all the juice was removed. Anyone who could get one more drop from the lemon would win. Many people had tried, but no one had ever done it.

One day, a small, skinny man walked into the bar and said, “I’d like to try the bet.”

Everyone laughed at the man, but the bartender grabbed a lemon and squeezed all the juice out of it. He then handed the smashed lemon to the little man. Everyone fell completely silent as the man clenched his fist around the lemon and four drops fell onto the bar.

As the bartender counted out five hundred dollars, he asked, “Hey what do you do for a living? Are you a lumberjack or a weightlifter or what?”

“No,” the man replied, “I work for the IRS.”

Fish Story
A man was being audited by the IRS. The agent took a look at his paperwork and asked, “How have you been able to buy such a luxurious villa when your income is so low?”

“Well,” answered the taxpayer, “last summer I caught a magical golden fish. When I took it off the hook, it said, ‘I am a magical fish. Throw me back and you can have anything you wish for.’ So I unhooked him, wished for a beautiful villa, and threw him back.”

“Now wait a minute,” said the auditor. “How can you prove this crazy story?”

“Well, you can see the villa, can’t you?” replied the taxpayer.