Cisco and VMware are together simplifying the physical and virtual infrastructure management associated with virtual desktops deplyoments. to learn more, please check the VMware blogs. you’ll find the link at the end of the article.

Both Cisco and VMware have diligently delivered on our joint vision to regain control of the corporate desktop environment. We’ve integrated VMware View with the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS). We’ve made the Cisco Desktop Virtualization Solution with VMware View a core module of the Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) system. Known simply as Cisco VXI with VMware View, the solution addresses today’s IT and end-user challenges: achieving scalable, high-performance desktop virtualization with media-rich communications, unified management, pervasive security and an uncompromised user experience. The integration of voice, video and virtual desktops transforms desktops into virtual collaborative workspaces.

In an effort to simplify implementation, we are working with our ecosystem partners including NetApp and EMC to deliver Cisco Validated Designs that provide detailed technical guidance based on validated and tested configurations. Both NetApp and EMC have worked with Cisco and VMware to deliver separate validated reference architectures for shared infrastructure and virtual desktops.

Customers of VMware, Cisco and NetApp, including Metro Health (a regional healthcare provider based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan) have embraced our joint solution, achieving significant cost and efficiency benefits. Read about optimizing clinical workflows with VMware View and Cisco VXI or hear what Metro Health has to say about utilizing desktop virtualization to optimize clinical workflows and improve care.

Metro Health in example is using VMware View with Cisco VXI and NetApp.

Link: http://blogs.vmware.com/alliances/2011/11/teaming-with-cisco-to-accelerate-virtual-desktop-deployment.html

On 30.11.2011 Cisco updated the Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure using VMware View document to VMware View Version 4.6. Check it out to get information.

Link: Cisco

Two month ago I’ve written an article about some rumour saying that Cisco is working on their own tablet. This rumour became truth today: Cisco announced a new business tablet called Cius. The 7-inch screen device is powered by an Intel Atom processor running at 1.6 GHz and weighs 0,5 kg. According to Cisco the battery should run for 8 hours, which is 2h less then the iPad. As the iPhone 4, the Cius comes with two cameras. The front-facing cam records in high definition and the camera at the back does 5 megapixel. Video conferencing shouldn’t be a problem with that. It supports Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and 3G. 4G should be available at a later time. I really like the micro USB port which definitely and the SD card slot. The OS is Android and with that it has access to the Android Marketplace which offers thousands of applications. The price is targeted for less then $1000. Will this be the next Boom in the tablet market? Possibly companies see this device more in the business space then the iPad which comes in my eyes as a consumer tablet. I’m looking forward to see it live once! This could be a great way to access your virtual desktop.

Three weeks ago I bought an iPad and of course it’s an expensive gadget but I’m using it more and more in my business day. The Wyse Pocket Cloud application is just one example of great apps which are available for the iPad. Today I used the Cisco WebEx app for iPad for the first time and I’m really impressed to be honest. Normally I’m using WebEx on my Mac but what annoys me is the fullscreen mode which is automatically  started when the applications starts up. Then you can only hardly change to Outlook or other applications during a running WebEx session. Using WebEx on the iPad is cool because you can just work on your computer as usual and the display is big enough to show the presentation. A great feature is the call-back function where the WebEx systems needs your phone number and then gives you a call back. In this case your name is shown in the WebEx when you are talking. Just great, love it!

Tablet PC’s are not new to me – no I’m a proud IBM Thinkpad x61T user for over 3 years. When I’ve bought the tablet my objective was to write notes with the digitizer and do interactive presentations i.e. whiteboardings, directly on a blank Powerpoint presentation. People who attended my presentations were amazed about this presentation style because it was unique to them. I’ve seen Tablet PC’s really rarely in the past but I guess that will change soon. Apple lately started to roust the market when they announced the iPad, a tablet which can be used just with your fingers without any need for a digitizer. Well there is a onscreen keyboard but no digitizer, the reason for me to buy a Tablet PC years ago. It seems that vendors must have another objective as mine. Even the processing power in an iPad is not comparable to a standard PC but to be honest it doesn’t need to be because it’s designed to consume web services – no, to be clear here: applications hosted in the cloud! There are other hardware vendors who want to get a piece of the big cake! Last week, the CIO magazine published an article with the headline: Rumor: Cisco Wants to Come to the Tablet Party. A tipster hinted that Cisco is working on it’s own tablet device which is based on Google’s Android operating system. It should include a front facing camera, dual noise-cancelling microphones and VPN access. Cool ha? That sounds really interesting! What could you do with this device? Video conferencing? Having access to your virtual desktop? If this rumour comes truth I’m really looking forward to look deeper into it. It seems that Apple just started to revolutionize the tablet market, the iPad is great marketing for every tablet vendor and also for Software-as-a-Service.

There is a new VDI design guide available at the NetApp blogs which you should definitely should take a look on. It describes how to setup a VDI infrastructure for 2000 seats based on NFS storage. A great read.

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