Hello,
I am deploying a vSphere 5.1 (will be updated soon to 5.5) insfrastructure, and I am evaluating the options for users to connect to some VMs running on the virtual infrastructure. The main requirements of this client VMs are:
- Automatic deploying of VMs from predefined templates is not a need. (e.g. Vmware Horizon main feature is not needed here)
- Client VMs are Linux-based desktops (CentOS) -> Vmware Horizon View is not an option, right?
- It is intended the use of thin clients to remote connect to the VMs, and dual monitor display would be a great feature here. Stand-alone PCs is not an option, as in this case I would migrate the whole clients to baremetal PCs.
- There is a Windows client VM that needs basic 3D acceleration.
So, AFAIK, my options are:
- Thin client with a supported browser (and Flash) to launch direct vsphere web client console to the VMs. Pros: low requisites Cons: Dual display is notavailable, 3D performance on Windows VM?
- Forget direct connecting to VM and use a Remote Desktop Protocol like NX or VNC. Pros: VNC is easy to find in a thin clientCons: VNC low performance. NX is not avilable in Thin Clients.
- Forget Everything and use stand alone PCs. Pros: 3D acceleration and dual head come out-of-the-box Cons: higher costs, low mobility, low flexibility, low scalability, data circulation outside the datacenter.... everything great with virtualization is lost.
At this point the questions are three:
- Is there any other option for connecting to the VMs from a thin client? Will it be a soultion the use of Horizon View?
- Is there any way to connect to a VM using the PCoIP protocol without using vmware horizon view? Is this protocol only available on this vmware product?
- Does it worth to look for a solution relying on a direct Client-to-VM connection, or should I give up this way and look for a client-to-OS solution?
Thank you in advance for your replies.