Major characteristics of NEC’s Virtual PC Center

Optimal Resource Allocation

One server can be shared by multiple virtual PCs, and it is also possible to optimally allocate server resources such as CPU and memory across multiple PCs. For example, when a user executes a high-load task, resources not being used in other PCs on the same server can be redirected automatically to this PC.

 Ensuring High Availability for VM’s

NEC SigmaSystemCenter monitors failure of hardware and software of virtualization host servers. It can detect impending hardware failure conditions and avoid system downtime by transparently moving virtual machines to another healthy host server using live migration. When a virtual machine stops running, it is restarted on an alternative healthy virtualization host server for a quick recovery. This ensures a better productivity for users who can run their VMs without any interuption.
 

TCO Reduction - around 25% over three years

TCO reduction, one of the benefits of using thin clients, is further improved by utilizing unique functions developed by NEC. Compared with the traditional desktop model virtual thin client system, our system has achieved further operation management cost reduction by two means:

• By using Sigma System Center (SSC), NEC’s unique central management software, the operation of physical servers and virtual PCs can be centrally managed. By monitoring each virtual PC, distributing software, the environment settings and management of sessions between thin client terminals and virtual PCs.
• By providing a server with pre-installed virtual PC server platform, as well as Windows® operating system for virtual PCs, initial workload and cost during the implementation is also reduced greatly.

 As a result, compared with TCO of owning traditional business PCs for three years, this system’s cost is 25% lower.

Smooth Streaming Video

Smooth-streaming video, which was not possible on earlier thin client systems, is now possible. A developed system LSI adopted for the thin client terminal processes video image commands on a server, so the video image performance is comparable to traditional business PCs.

As a result, increasing use of video content as well as video conferencing is now possible in the thin client environment.



 

Ubiquitous Work Environment

In a virtual desktop environment, a ubiquitous work environment is achieved.

End users can retrieve their own desktop environment, regardless of which thin client terminal they are using. The system can provide an ubiquitous work environment where our own desktop is accessible anywhere.

Many benefits can be drawn from there, including productivity improvement by enhancing individuals’ mobility

Also, VPCC enables a wide variety of terminals to access its Virtual Desktop through web browsers without installing special connection modules.

Furthermore, the VPCC features a newly developed linking function through the XenDesktop(R) from Citrix(R), and enables virtual desktops to be accessed using either the RDP or ICA connection protocol. As a result, users may conveniently select the protocol that is most suitable to their working environment.
 

Ecology

Compared to a distributed use of traditional business PCs, VPCC system can cut energy consumption by about 60% using the thin client terminal US110c or US300c, and servers in the data center.

As stated thus far, NEC Virtual PC Center is able to expand the conventional notions of thin client capabilities. The system delivers the same performance level as traditional PCs, while significantly reducing TCO and providing robust security measures.

Optimal Resource Allocation

One server can be shared by multiple virtual PCs, and it is also possible to optimally allocate server resources such as CPU and memory across multiple PCs. For example, when a user executes a high-load task, resources not being used in other PCs on the same server can be redirected automatically to this PC.

In addition, if the virtual PCs on one server become overloaded and the server’s resource is not sufficient, some of these demanding virtual PCs can be moved to another server with available capacity. This operation does not affect the end user who is executing a task on the virtual PC being moved. Multiple server resources are considered to be one pool of resources and are optimally allocated to virtual PCs.

Moving a virtual PC from one server to another is a very effective function not only at the time of high resource needs, but also when failures are detected or during maintenance operation. Creating a new virtual PC is also a simple operation that can be done in about 10 minutes using a template from the management console in the server.

Preferential server resource distribution to high-load virtual PCs.

Resources can freely be distributed to each virtual PC in a server. When a virtual PC’s load becomes high, unused CPU/memory in the server are preferentially distributed to a high-load virtual PC.

Automatic virtual PC transfer to low-load servers.

System detects high-load status if the status continue for a given length of time. A virtual PC is transferred to a low-load server to adjust load balance. The virtual PC transfer is performed at short times without stopping business.

 

Easy to add virtual PCs

 Virtual PC addition is available at short times by GUI operation in the management screen.

Extra low power consumption

If there are less users than usual, in this case there is no need of many virtualization servers, Sigma System Center allows to gather the virtual machines and shut down the idle servers.