Replacing end-of life thin client terminals from Devon IT and Dell Wyse, IGEL offered the configuration, stability, security and usability the IT team was looking for, with IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) providing the critical management capability to control a large number of devices in five buildings. IGEL UD3 endpoints connect to VMware Horizon and support the Blast Extreme Protocol for graphics display – crucial given the widespread use of 3D computer aided design software within the faculty.

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a public research university based on a 300-acre campus in Hamilton, Ontario – the waterfall capital of Canada. Ranked at 69 in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it is home to more than 31,000 students and is an award-winning employer with over 6,000 staff including around 1,000 full-time faculty members.

McMaster University is a pioneer in the use of VDI

With 1,000 students in the first year alone, the Faculty of Engineering is one of the largest faculties at the university and has been a long-term user of virtual desktop infrastructure.

VDI was originally deployed in 2009 when a CAD$48 million six-story glass Engineering Technology Building was constructed which is eco-friendly and energy efficient. To meet LEED gold certification requirements, VDI combined with thin clients solved the challenge of what desktops to install in the main computer lab given noisy, power-hungry PC workstations which generate a lot of heat were not an option.

Michael Curwin, IT manager at McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, explains, “The HVAC systems would have had to been totally redesigned costing literally millions if we’d used traditional desktops. Clearly that wasn’t realistic plus when you’ve got 55 students in a room, workstations are far too loud and it’s impossible to teach.  Also, our endpoints required a big spec to run processor intensive CAD software from AutoDesk and other ISVs which all first-year students have to learn how to use.”

The IT project team first considered using laptops and Apple iMacs during the proof of concept,. These were rejected in favour of investing in VDI as all the necessary computing power, cooling and EUC management overhead could then be centralized at its datacenter on campus.

Twelve years ago, VDI as a technology was on the cusp of shifting from a hardware to software-centric architecture. Curwin says, “Many people didn’t think you could run CAD over it properly because of latency and jitter with the graphics when you take a 3D object and start spinning it around.  With the support of our IT partners, we got everything working so well that 25 higher education institutions in Canada came to see how we did it.”

Today, the new IGEL UD3 endpoints connect to VMware Horizon running on 20 dedicated virtualized IBM servers, each with two 30 GB graphics cards. NVIDIA virtual GPU technology load-balances this graphics processing power to enhance the user experience of every student connected to the network. A vSAN cluster comprising 160 hard drives also helps speed up the read/write process and data storage.

Elliptical shaped computer lab aids effective teaching

Given the success of VDI over the years, IGEL UD3 endpoints have been installed throughout the five Engineering Faculty buildings with administrative staff using them as well as students. But it is in the main computer lab where VDI and thin clients have really come to the fore.

The lab has an innovative elliptical shaped design – the first in North America – which lets lecturers stand in the middle of the room while students are seated around the edge of the ellipse looking in.  After a presentation, they can then ‘spin around’ in their chairs and work accessing VDI-delivered applications using a IGEL UD3 endpoint connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse positioned behind. This allows lecturers to stand at their shoulders and provide close guidance as necessary.

Furthermore, when not physically in the lab, 500 VDI licences purchased by the university enable students to log in using any browser-based device like smartphone, Chromebook or iPad to access a virtual Windows 10 desktop and applications like Ansys, MatLab, YouTube and Microsoft Office.  This means they don’t have to buy expensive high-end computers to study and can work from anywhere at any time which has been hugely important during the coronavirus pandemic.

Curwin adds, “As it turned out, we were pandemic prepared and able to support students to do CAD design 24/7. And as we now move to a hybrid learning future – where some students work from home and others are on campus – we have the infrastructure in place to enable this easily.”

The advantages of using IGEL UD3 endpoints are numerous.  Over and above the power and heat consumption benefits, endpoint security is improved and there is a huge amortized cost gain as these solid-state devices last three times as long as a PC or laptop. This results in better use of finite budgets and less IT into landfill. And there are additional ‘soft’ benefits, too. Controlling endpoints is quicker, easier and done remotely, including shadowing, using IGEL UMS with devices ‘locked down’ and auto-configurable if accidently unplugged.

Curwin says, “As much as you can make IT sexy, this is it.  The investment in VDI has really paid off in terms of day-to-day management but also student recruitment.  A year after the computer lab opened, the then provost visited and asked first year students what they thought of it.  Unsolicited an undergraduate said that it was one of the reasons why she came to McMaster University to study which was a beautiful moment for us.”

Ken Shipman, IGEL’s regional sales manager in Canada, says, “McMaster University has become a huge evangelist about the value and benefits of VDI.  They have a high-performance state-of-the-art system for students which – combined with easy to manage and reliable endpoints from IGEL – shows just what a compelling solution it is for academia.”

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IGEL, provider of the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces, announced findings from a new performance research study performed by RawWorks which independently compared the use of IGEL OS and Microsoft Windows when accessing digital workspaces in real-world end user computing scenarios. When used in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) use cases, commonly used endpoint devices running IGEL OS proved to deliver up to three times greater performance and efficiency than when configured with Windows OS.

Conducted using standard datasets and workload, RawWorks unbiased testing evaluated performance data and end-user experience differences between IGEL OS and Microsoft Windows on Microsoft Azure in combination with Citrix Cloud. In particular, it measured CPU utilization for each operating environment when using real-world applications including video conferencing solutions such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, video streaming, and productivity solutions including PowerPoint. The results found that IGEL OS consistently consumed significantly lower CPU utilization which is one of the primary metrics that will influence end-user experience.

“The data shows IGEL OS had a significantly lower CPU utilization with consistently lower round trip time (RTT) at a higher framerate on the endpoint,” said Eltjo van Gulik, Principal Consultant, RawWorks. “In some cases, the CPU usage when using Windows OS is more than three times higher. Higher RTT will result in visible ‘jitter’ and delays in user interaction and can cause inconsistent audio and other protocol-related delays. When connected to VDI, on average there was a 200% increase in RTT when using Microsoft Windows instead of IGEL OS.”

“Windows is a powerful operating system that is heavily relied on by businesses both small and large – but we continue to profess that it belongs in the cloud, not at the endpoint,” said Simon Townsend, Chief Marketing Officer, IGEL. “By operating Windows from the cloud, you can achieve greater security, manageability, and economies of scale, particularly when you use a lightweight Linux-based OS like IGEL OS on end-user devices. This RawWorks benchmark testing showcases just how significant the performance gains with IGEL OS can be. It truly is the most efficient way for employees to access the cloud at scale for a more immersive and productive user experience.”

RawWorks compared IGEL’s Linux-based edge OS for cloud workspaces with Windows OS, running all scenarios on Microsoft Azure in combination with Citrix Cloud. The scenarios were run on three popular thin client endpoint devices: the HP t640, Dell Wyse 5070, and Lenovo ThinkCentre M625q.

For more information, view this “IGEL OS Performance” infographic. Download the full RawWorks Performance Report here.

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The post Performance Testing Proves IGEL OS Outperforms Others appeared first on Digital IT News.

“We work in a changed world which has transformed end user computing, as it needs to enable digital workers to achieve better access to applications and data for a productive experience from anywhere, and from almost any device,” said Enit Nichani, Vice President of Global Alliance and Event Marketing, IGEL. “We will be highlighting new technologies, strategies, and opportunities for computing in the new WFX era during this live roadshow installation of our flagship DISRUPT event series. Despite hosting dozens of successful virtual events over the past 18 months, there has been significant demand for intimate, in-person regional events to bring the EUC community together again. We are thrilled that, for the first time since February 2020, we are returning to face-to-face events with planned stops in 11 cities. We’ll be bringing industry experts close to home for the inspirational and insightful presentations EUC professionals won’t want to miss.”

The roadshow will visit 11 cities during September and October 2021. Locations include:

• London, September 23
• Frankfurt, September 30
• Munich, October 5
• Vienna, October 7
• Zurich, October 12
• Charlotte, October 12
• Chicago, October 13
• Dallas, October 14
• New York, October 20
• Los Angeles, October 21
• Utrecht, October 27

“DISRUPT is the one of the biggest and best independent events in the EUC calendar which brings together a number of ecosystem partners, customers and community partners,” said James Hsu, Product Manager for Citrix Systems. “I have attended both North America and EMEA events in the past and I am really pleased to be presenting at these in person events to share more about the future of Citrix Digital Workspaces.”

The event will feature inspirational keynote addresses and insightful breakout sessions as well as lively panel discussions on EUC strategies in the WFX era. The event expo will also provide first-hand technical access to product and service information from event sponsors, including AWS, Citrix, Microsoft, VMware, ControlUp, DeviceTRUST, EPOS, ezeep, Lakeside, Lenovo, LG Business Solutions, Liquidware, LoginVSI, Nerdio, PrinterLogic, Process Fusion, NComputing, OnLogic, Tricerat and IGEL.

Registration for the roadshow event is available now at https://disrupteuc.com/unite-2021. Be sure to register soon, as IGEL is giving away a commemorative DISRUPT backpack to registered attendees while supplies last. Note that this is a vaccination-required event.

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• World’s first client computing software with hybrid cloud management enabling seamless access to work applications and data, whether they are delivered from the public cloud, private cloud or on the device
• Ready out-of-the-box and controlled through the cloud to ease both IT and team member stress while promoting the ability to work from anywhere
• Creates personalized PC experiences for thousands of professionals while protecting employee and customer data

Dell Technologies unveiled Dell Hybrid Client to meet the changing needs of businesses, end users and IT. Dell Hybrid Client is a centrally managed client software solution that is ready to deploy with select Dell mobile and desktop devices, helping employees get to work quickly with a consistent experience. As the world’s first client computing software with hybrid cloud management, enabling easy access to applications and data regardless of where they live – in the public cloud, private cloud or on the user’s device.

In an increasingly cloud connected world, organizations need to easily deploy and maintain data and applications from a variety of locations without burdening IT teams or hindering employee productivity. Dell Hybrid Client simplifies and personalizes the user and IT experience while still providing security and flexibility across devices and work environments. Features like built-in everyday productivity applications, browser security, and others are available out-of-the-box and managed through the cloud empowering employees to work how and where is best for them.

“At the core of Dell Hybrid Client sits an elevated experience for both employees and IT teams,” said Brooke Huling, vice president, Modern Computing Solutions Group, Dell Technologies. “For employees, Dell Hybrid Client delivers the same, personalized experience regardless of the device you chose to work on. Everything you need is at your fingertips. For IT, we’ve opened access to multiple clouds enabling experiences to be scaled and customized for workforces at rapid pace.”

“Dell Hybrid Client has the potential to be a game-changing offering,” said Rob Enderle, President and Principal Analyst, Enderle Group. “The new work from anywhere environment coupled with the need to support virtual, local and cloud apps means we’re approaching a window of opportunity for a new client computing solution. Dell has the breadth and reach to drive such a shift in the industry.”

How it works

Dell Hybrid Client begins with single sign-on where users will find their personalized desktop interface and all their applications, whether in the cloud or virtual. This first-of-its-kind solution provides:

• Endpoint Security: Securely scale to thousands of users while still protecting employee and company data through built-in features including system lockdown, secure boot, user file encryption and more.
• Simplified Workflow: Your workday doesn’t need to be interrupted as users have secure access to web and virtual applications from Citrix, VMware and Microsoft and various storage locations.
• Optimized Productivity: Zoom or Microsoft Teams clients run locally, enabling faster collaboration while helping reduce strain on IT infrastructures.
• Consistent Experience: With an enhanced “Follow-me” feature, users will find their applications and data on any supported desktop interface – even after changing devices.
• Flexibility in Cloud Providers: Organizations can embrace a more flexible mindset by supporting and seamlessly integrating from Wyse Management Suite’s multiple cloud vendors including, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.
• Comprehensive Software Support: With ProSupport for software, Dell Hybrid Client users receive proactive resolution. With automatic alerts and case creation, remote diagnosis and access to ProSupport engineers,² employees can experience little to no downtime and IT can proactively support business needs.

Dell Hybrid Client is currently available across a variety of desktop, VDI and mobile form factors – including the OptiPlex 7090 Ultra, OptiPlex 3090 Ultra, Wyse 5070 and the new Latitude 3320.

Availability and pricing:

• The latest Dell Hybrid Client is available on March 26, at $60.00 (USD) per year per device.

Image licensed by: Pixabay.com

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