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Virtual desktop costs, complexity, overshadow benefits

When reviewing the cost of hardware, software, and licensing policies required to deploy VMware's own virtual desktop integration (VDI) product, a single virtual desktop unit can cost over $5,000 compared to about $500 for a traditional desktop, said Christian Metz, director of information technology for the Orange County United Way.

"Your typical new Dell desktop will run you about $500, assuming you buy at the right time...when you purchase the computer it just works, it comes with XP licensing and you are free to do with it as you will," Metz said. "When you get into VDI things get a little more complicated."

Metz shared his analysis of installing VMware VDI's based on estimates received from vendors earlier this year:

 

  1. Physical server (VMware ESX Host) to run virtual desktops: $4.900, plus support. A basic server at this price should run 30-50 desktops.

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  3. Licensing per client for VMware View: $150 to $250/client (concurrent licensing) plus support

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  5. Device to run VDI (Wyse V10-L thin client) is $350/client, plus support, plus $25/client for Thin Client Extension

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  7. Microsoft VDI licensing (VECD) is $280 to $290/client for three year contract. (This is not concurrent user licensing, so you must have a license for each instance of Windows.)

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  9. Storage varies depending on the type, but to be able to manage desktops across physical hardware, shared storage (SAN/NAS) is required, and can be very expensive.

 

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