Desktop Virtualization: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends

Автор: Surjeet Kushwaha, Arun Kumar Yadav, H.N. Verma

Журнал: International Journal of Education and Management Engineering @ijeme

Статья в выпуске: 6 vol.13, 2023 года.

Бесплатный доступ

A thorough overview of desktop virtualization, a growingly popular technology that allows centralized and effective IT management, is provided in this review paper. Exploring desktop virtualization's benefits, drawbacks, various forms, impact on contemporary workplaces, and potential future trends are the main objectives. The advantages of desktop virtualization are emphasized in the report, including increased productivity, cost savings, and improved security. It explores the numerous forms of virtualization, such as client-based, server-based, and application virtualization, highlighting their special qualities and applicability for varied organizational purposes. The article also addresses how virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) supports bring-your-own-device (BYOD) rules, allowing workers to access their work environments from any place and device. In today's dynamic workplace, this feature improves collaboration and overall efficiency. The study concludes by examining the potential of desktop virtualization and offering information on new trends and advancements that have the potential to influence the field. This review paper provides a thorough overview, making it a useful tool for businesses wishing to use desktop virtualization in their IT infrastructure.

Еще

Desktop Virtualization, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Cost-effective service, Server Virtualization, Remote Desktop Services

Короткий адрес: https://sciup.org/15018681

IDR: 15018681   |   DOI: 10.5815/ijeme.2023.06.02

Текст научной статьи Desktop Virtualization: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends

The benefits of desktop virtualization include increased productivity, security, flexibility, and cost savings. This analysis looks at its advantages, disadvantages, and application in business. Desktop virtualization offers remote access by combining virtual desktops on a single workstation. It provides flexibility for distant work and improves security through centralized data storage. Compatibility precautions are necessary because of implementation complexity and potential performance problems. However, the healthcare, financial, educational, and governmental sectors are where desktop virtualization finds use. This evaluation offers insightful information on the revolutionary changes that desktop virtualization has brought about in organizations.

  • 1.1.    What is Virtualization?

The development of virtual versions of hardware, software, and network resources using virtualization technology makes them independent of the actual infrastructure. It is, to put it simply, the process of creating a virtual environment that mimics a physical environment and enables the use of different operating systems, programs, and resources on a single physical machine. The development of virtual machines, or VMs, is made possible by the use of software known as a hypervisor or virtual machine monitor.

The benefits of virtualization, which include better resource utilization, increased security, flexibility, and scalability, have completely transformed the IT sector. Organizations can make the most of their existing hardware by virtualizing resources, which eliminates the need for extra physical servers and data centers. Cost savings on hardware, maintenance, and energy usage follow from this.

In addition to improving security, virtualization lowers the risk of malware attacks and unauthorized access by isolating programs and resources. It makes it possible to build sandboxes, where software can run in isolation without affecting the underlying system. This lowers the possibility of data loss and improves data privacy.

Finally, scalability is provided by virtualization since it makes it simple for businesses to add or remove resources as needed. With a high level of flexibility and agility, this can be done instantly without interfering with ongoing activities.

  • 1.2.    Types of Virtualizations

A technology called virtualization makes it possible to create virtual replicas of physical computer resources like servers, storage devices, networks, and operating systems. Organizations can utilize a variety of virtualization techniques to enhance their overall IT infrastructure and optimize their computer resources. Figure 1 shows the many forms of virtualization.

Fig.1. Types of Virtualizations.

  • a.    Server Virtualization

The process of turning physical servers into virtual machines is known as server virtualization. In order to run several virtual servers on a single physical server, this is accomplished by installing a hypervisor on the physical server. Organizations can consolidate their physical servers through server virtualization, which lowers hardware and maintenance costs while maximizing resource use.

  • b.    Storage Virtualization

The technique of building a virtual layer on top of physical storage devices is known as storage virtualization. As a result, the storage devices can be pooled into a single logical pool and allotted to various applications and systems as necessary. Storage virtualization increases storage efficiency, streamlines storage administration, and improves data accessibility.

  • c.    Network Virtualization

The technique of building a virtual network layer on top of physical network gear is known as network virtualization. This improves the scalability and flexibility of the network by allowing numerous virtual networks to operate on a single physical network. Network virtualization improves network security while streamlining network administration.

  • d.    Desktop Virtualization

Desktop virtualization is the technique of building virtual desktops that users can access from a distance. Organizations can now offer remote access to PCs, which decreases the demand for physical workstations and boosts data security. Desktop virtualization improves user mobility, makes desktop management simple, and makes desktop deployment easier.

  • 1.3.    What is Desktop Virtualization?

  •    A technology called desktop virtualization enables businesses to build and operate virtual desktop environments as a service. Users can remotely access it from any location at any time, allowing several virtual desktops to function on a single physical machine. Due to their separation from one another, any modifications made to one virtual desktop have no impact on the others. There are various approaches to deploy desktop virtualization, such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), hosted desktops, and application virtualization.

  •    Virtual machines are hosted on a centralized server that users can access remotely via virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The user can keep their work and settings on the virtual computers, and the virtual machines can be tailored to the user's needs. Similar to VDI, hosted desktops are hosted by a third-party supplier. Application virtualization allows users to access applications remotely without needing to install them locally because they are hosted on a central server.

  •    Due to its many advantages, including improved security, flexibility, and scalability, desktop virtualization has become more popular in recent years. Desktop virtualization can be accomplished in several ways, including Hosted Virtual Desktops (HVD), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Remote Desktop Services (RDS), and Application Virtualization.

  •    Hosted Virtual Desktop (HVD) is a desktop virtualization strategy in which users connect remotely to a virtual desktop that is running on a server. Centralized management, simple upkeep, and improved security are all features of HVD. Since the virtual desktop operates on a server, real desktops are no longer necessary, which lowers hardware and maintenance expenses. However, it consumes a lot of bandwidth and could cause latency problems, particularly if many users are accessing the virtual desktop at once.

  •    A hypervisor is used to build and manage virtual desktops in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), another desktop virtualization strategy. Users use client devices to access the virtual desktops, which are run on a dedicated server. As each user has a virtual desktop, ensuring that resources are distributed effectively, VDI offers higher performance and flexibility than HVD. However, it necessitates a more intricate infrastructure than HVD, which could raise maintenance expenses.

  •    To give users virtual desktops, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) makes use of a remote desktop server. Although RDS and HVD are similar, RDS offers higher performance and scalability. It is perfect for businesses that need a scalable and adaptable virtual desktop solution. Users using RDS can connect to the virtual desktop using any device from anywhere as long as they have a connection to the remote desktop server. RDS, however, might not be appropriate in all situations, such as when a great degree of customization is required.

  •    Another method of desktop virtualization is application virtualization, which separates apps from the underlying operating system. The programs are bundled as virtual containers that don't require installation to run on any device. This strategy offers greater flexibility and compatibility than previous strategies because programs can be used on any device without needing to be installed. However, because each application has its container, it could use more resources than other methods.

  • 1.4.    Benefits of Desktop Virtualization

The ability to remotely access a user's PC from any location is made possible by desktop virtualization technology. The many benefits of technology have led to widespread adoption of it by enterprises. In this post, we'll look at desktop virtualization's main benefits.

  •    Improved Security Increasing security through data and application centralization in the data center is the goal of desktop virtualization. Data is centrally stored and handled through virtualization, improving its management and security. As a result, there is no longer a requirement for local storage, and the chance of data loss, theft, or corruption is decreased. Additionally, virtual desktops can be set up to grant users access at various levels according to their jobs and responsibilities.

  •    Better Mobility Users of laptops, tablets, and smartphones may now access their PCs from anywhere by using desktop virtualization. This implies that users can conduct their business whether they are at home, traveling, or working in an office. Additionally, PCs may now be managed and maintained remotely due to virtualization, which eliminates the requirement for physical access to the machines.

  •    Enhanced Efficiency Virtual desktops don't require any setup or installation because they are already set up and ready to use. This implies that people can go right to work without any delays. The time it takes to deploy new apps or upgrades is also shortened due to virtualization, which gives IT administrators instant access to resources and programs. As a result, users' productivity and efficiency increase since they can concentrate on their work rather than trying to solve technological problems.

  •    Cost savings As it eliminates the need for local storage, hardware, and maintenance, desktop virtualization can result in significant cost savings. Since accessing virtual desktops is possible with inexpensive technology, less expensive hardware isn't required. Additionally, desktops may be managed and maintained remotely due to virtualization, which eliminates the need for on-site support. A higher return on investment and lower operational costs follow from this.

  •    Scalability Organisations may extend their infrastructure fast and without incurring major capital costs due to desktop virtualization. Because virtual desktops can be set up fast, businesses can adapt to fluctuations in demand right away. Additionally, virtualization permits IT managers to control resources from a single location, which eliminates the need for extra hardware or infrastructure.

  •    Disaster Recovery Desktop virtualization makes it possible for businesses to swiftly and effectively deploy disaster recovery plans. Data is centrally stored using virtualization, making it simpler to backup and restore in the event of a disaster. Virtual desktops can also be provided fast, allowing businesses to immediately restore vital apps and services without any interruption to their operations.

In summary, desktop virtualization has many advantages, such as improved security, increased mobility, increased productivity, cost savings, scalability, and disaster recovery. Adopting virtualization can give businesses a competitive edge, lower operating expenses, and increase overall productivity.

  • 1.5.    Challenges in Desktop Virtualization

A method of simulating a user's desktop on a distant server is called desktop virtualization. It is a preferred option for enterprises of all sizes since it enables users to access their desktops from anywhere and on any device. However, there are many obstacles that enterprises must deal with while deploying desktop virtualization, including plagiarism problems. The difficulties of desktop virtualization will be covered in this article.

  • a.    Performance

Performance is one of the main obstacles to desktop virtualization. User experience can be impacted while running virtual desktops by things like network latency, bandwidth restrictions, and server capacity. Businesses must make sure that their virtual desktop environment is performance-optimized if they want to ensure that the virtual desktop offers a seamless user experience.

  • b.    Security

For desktop virtualization to work properly, a secure environment is needed. Making sure the virtual desktops are protected from virus assaults and unauthorised access presents a considerable problem. To stop malware from spreading, virtual desktops must be kept separate from other systems, and users must be authorised before they can use their virtual desktops. Businesses must also make sure that virtual desktops receive the most recent security patches and updates on a regular basis.

  • c.    Cost

The expense of setting up and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support virtual desktops is another difficulty with desktop virtualization. Businesses must spend in networking, storage, and server hardware, and licencing virtualization software can be costly. Virtual desktop implementation costs must be compared against the advantages of higher productivity and lower IT costs for businesses.

  • d.    User adoption

Virtual desktop adoption can be difficult to achieve. Some people could be averse to change or find it challenging to get used to a new desktop environment. To guarantee that users can utilise virtual desktops efficiently, businesses must offer them proper training and assistance.

  • e.    Compatibility

Compatibility problems might arise while running legacy operating systems or apps in desktop virtualization. Businesses must make sure that their users' virtual desktop environments are compatible with the operating systems and programmes they need to carry out their job duties.

  • f.    Management

It can be difficult to manage a virtual desktop environment, especially when dealing with large-scale deployments. For businesses to properly manage virtual desktops, the right management tools and procedures must be in place. In conclusion, desktop virtualization has a number of advantages, such as improved productivity and lower IT expenses. To guarantee a successful deployment, businesses must solve the issues mentioned above. Businesses can benefit from desktop virtualization without worrying about plagiarism if they optimise speed, ensure security, control expenses, encourage user adoption, handle compatibility issues, and create efficient management systems.

  • 1.6.    Different Approaches for Desktop Virtualization

Desktop virtualization is a technology that allows multiple virtual desktops to be hosted on a single physical machine. Multiple virtual desktops can be hosted on a single physical machine due to a technique called desktop virtualization. Desktop virtualization can be done in a variety of ways, including hybrid and client-server-based methods. In order to better comprehend the advantages and drawbacks of these various approaches, we will compare and contrast their characteristics and features in this analysis.

  • a.    Client-Based Desktop Virtualization

Local desktop virtualization, commonly referred to as client-based desktop virtualization, allows users to operate virtual workstations on their own computers. Users that require the freedom to operate offline and have access to a range of operating systems and programs should choose this method. VirtualBox is the most popular example of client-based desktop virtualization.

Benefits

  •    Provides users with the ability to work offline without network connectivity .

  •    Allows users to use different operating systems and applications on a single machine.

  •    High performance as virtualization occurs on the client machine.

  •    Provides increased security as virtual machines are isolated from the host machine.

Disadvantages

  •    Hardware requirements for the host machine can be higher compared to other approaches.

  •    Limited scalability due to the need for dedicated resources for each user.

  •    Requires more maintenance and management compared to server-based solutions.

  • b.    Server-Based Desktop Virtualization

Server-based desktop virtualization, commonly referred to as remote desktop virtualization, uses a distant server to host virtual machines. Businesses that need centralised management, improved security, and scalability should use this strategy. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, VMware Horizon, and Microsoft Remote Desktop are the three most popular types of server-based desktop virtualization.

Benefits

  • •    Centralized management and control, which reduces the cost of maintenance and management.

  • •    Enhanced security as virtual machines are hosted on a central server and isolated from the client device.

  •    Scalability as virtual machines can be hosted on a central server and accessed remotely by multiple users.

  •    Better utilization of hardware resources as virtual machines are shared among users.

Disadvantages

  •    Requires a stable and high-speed network connection.

  • •    Performance can be affected due to the dependency on network bandwidth and latency.

  • •    Applications and operating systems can be limited due to compatibility issues with the virtual environment.

  • c.    Hybrid Desktop Virtualization

Client-based and server-based desktop virtualization are both used in hybrid desktop virtualization. This strategy is appropriate for companies that need flexibility, centralized control, and a balance between offline and online access. VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop, and VirtualBox are the three most popular instances of hybrid desktop virtualization.

Benefits

  •    Provides flexibility and offline access to users while also allowing centralized management and control.

  •    Better hardware utilization as virtual machines can be shared among users.

  •    Scalability as virtual machines can be hosted on a central server and accessed remotely by multiple users.

  •    Enhanced security as virtual machines are isolated from the host machine.

Disadvantages

  •    Requires higher hardware requirements for the host machine compared to server-based solutions.

  •    Performance can be affected due to the dependency on network bandwidth and latency.

  •    Requires more maintenance and management compared to server-based solutions.

  • 2.    Motivation 3.    Literature Review

The remaining part of the article is divided into the following sections. The purpose of using desktop virtualization is discussed in Section 2. The background information and related research efforts are described in Section 3 along with the works' limitations. Section 4 covers the specifics of the experiment's setup and outcome analysis. The conclusions are summarised in Section 5, which also looks at the prospect of further extension.

The constraints of the currently available desktop virtualization approaches served as the driving force behind the development of the strategy described in this paper. Traditional methods for desktop virtualization frequently add performance overhead, which affects how responsive and resource-efficient virtual desktops are overall. Additionally, there are considerable difficulties associated with managing and deploying virtual desktop environments, especially for businesses with limited IT resources. Furthermore, the user experience might be hampered by network latency and connectivity problems, especially in remote access settings.

Additionally, current solutions might not adequately handle the unique requirements of different use cases, such as remote work, education, or cloud computing. These use cases necessitate specialized solutions that promote effective teamwork, workflow integration, and support for a range of platforms and devices. Our work focuses on creating an effective, user-friendly, and reliable desktop virtualization solution to meet these restrictions. We seek to transcend the limitations associated with conventional desktop virtualization and create a solution that maximizes benefits while minimizing obstacles by utilizing cutting-edge technology, reducing deployment processes, optimizing performance, and boosting user experience. Through our work in research and development, we hope to enhance desktop virtualization by presenting a fresh strategy that overcomes current drawbacks and inspires new developments.

  • (2015)    study by Yu et al., "Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) versus Terminal Services (TS) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)" In this paper, VDI and TS in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are compared. The authors conclude that while VDI is more expensive to implement than TS, it offers superior security and flexibility [5]. Marques et al.'s "A Study of Desktop Virtualization in Healthcare" was published in 2017. The usage of desktop virtualization in healthcare is examined in this research. The authors conclude that desktop virtualization can enhance the management and security of healthcare systems, but there are still implementation issues to be resolved [6]. Rehman et al.'s "A Survey on the Use of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure in Education" (2018) The usage of VDI in education was surveyed in this article. The authors conclude that VDI can improve learning and save money for educational institutions [7]. Calheiros et al.'s "Desktop Virtualization for Mobile Devices: A Review of the State of the Art" (2019) The current desktop virtualization for mobile devices is reviewed in this study. According to the authors, desktop virtualization can increase the security and adaptability of mobile devices, but there are still practical issues to be solved [8]. Erol et al.'s (2016) article "Assessing the Benefits and Challenges of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in Enterprise Environments" The article examines the advantages and difficulties of implementing VDI in corporate settings. The authors conclude that while performance issues need to be resolved, VDI can enhance desktop administration and security [9]. Yuan et al. (2017), "An Experimental Study of Desktop Virtualization Performance in Cloud Computing Environments" An experimental analysis of desktop virtualization performance in cloud computing environments presented in this research. The authors conclude that network latency and server capacity have an impact on performance [10]. Syndergaard et al.'s "Desktop Virtualization: A Comparison between Citrix and VMware" (2018) Citrix and VMware desktop virtualization products are compared in this paper. The authors conclude that while Citrix is simpler to set up and operate, both technologies offer comparable performance and functionality [11]. Saeed et al.'s "Desktop Virtualization for Healthcare: A Review of the State of the Art" (2016) The state of desktop virtualization for the healthcare industry is reviewed in this study. The authors conclude that desktop virtualization can boost healthcare systems' productivity and security, but there are still implementation issues to be solved [12].

  • 4.    Experimental Setup and Result Analysis

Li et al.'s (2018) article "A Survey of Desktop Virtualization Security Threats and Countermeasures" This study examines security risks and solutions related to desktop virtualization. According to the authors, desktop virtualization is susceptible to a variety of assaults, but with the right security measures, these risks can be reduced [13]. Hu et al.'s (2017) article "A Review of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Deployment Strategies" In this study, server-based and client-based VDI deployment methodologies are reviewed. The choice of the deployment strategy, according to the authors, depends on the requirements and available resources of the organization [14]. Zhang et al.'s 2019 study "The

Impact of Desktop Virtualization on Energy Consumption in Data Centres" This study examines how desktop virtualization affects data centers' energy use. According to the authors, desktop virtualization can lower energy use by consolidating servers and requiring less cooling [15]. By Wang et al. (2019), "A Systematic Review of Desktop Virtualization for Disaster Recovery" In this study, desktop virtualization for disaster recovery is systematically reviewed. The authors conclude that desktop virtualization can offer businesses a dependable and affordable disaster recovery solution [16]. According to Haggerty et al. (2020), "Desktop Virtualization and the Future of Work: A Literature Review" The article explores the literature on desktop virtualization's effects on the nature of work in the future. Conclusion: Desktop virtualization can enhance workplace flexibility and collaboration, but there are implementation issues that need to be resolved [17]. The study "Desktop Virtualization for Education: A Systematic Review" by Li et al. An in-depth analysis of desktop virtualization for education is presented in this research. The authors conclude that desktop virtualization can offer educational institutions a practical way to give students and faculty access to technology at a reasonable cost [18]. The article "A Review of Desktop Virtualization in Cloud Computing Environments" by Wang et al. In the context of cloud computing, desktop virtualization is examined in this study. The authors conclude that while performance difficulties need to be resolved, desktop virtualization can increase the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing [19]. In their article "Desktop Virtualization for Business Continuity: A Review of the State of the Art" from 2018, Garg et al. In this study, the state of desktop virtualization for business continuity is reviewed. According to the authors' findings, desktop virtualization can offer a dependable and affordable alternative for guaranteeing business continuity in the case of a disaster or outage [20]. Wei et al. (2016)'s "Desktop Virtualization and Green IT: A Literature Review" The literature on desktop virtualization and its effects on green IT is reviewed in this article. The authors conclude that desktop virtualization can lower IT infrastructure's energy use and carbon emissions, but implementation difficulties and trade-offs must be taken into account [21].

By Rupesh K et al. (2021), "An Analysis of Approaches for Desktop Virtualization and Challenges" The various strategies for desktop virtualization are compared in this article, along with the difficulties that must be overcome. The analysis is based on many performance metrics to offer end consumers affordable cloud services and top performance on their mobile devices or home computers [26]. According to Alzoubaidi et al. (2021), "Virtual desktop infrastructure in higher education institution: an application of Home and mobile computing environment" This article describes how Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) was implemented as part of Al Balqa Applied University's (BAU) Private Cloud services to enable access to virtual laboratories. By sharing resources, desktop virtualization attempts to save infrastructure costs while enhancing security, mobility, scalability, agility, and availability [27]. By Liu Y et al. (2022), "Laboratory Virtualization Management Based on Deep Integration of Cloud Desktop" In this study, a cloud desktop virtualization management platform for the lab is provided. It integrates the experimental teaching environment and delivery method already in place at the institution. While allowing for unified resource management, it offers customized desktop services. The network bandwidth test shows that the platform can accommodate movie applications with little network latency, and the system function tests also meet expectations. The platform increases student initiative for learning and raises the quality of teaching administration. High experimental teaching application value is provided by it. Teachers can make educated judgments due to the online monitoring tool, which gives real-time statistics on pupils' performance [34]. This study by Xia H et al. (2022) "Research and Application of Cloud Computing and Big Data Technology in Intelligent Desktop Virtualization System" intends to investigate desktop virtualization technology utilizing VMware as a foundation. The classic intelligent desktop virtualization system can be modified and enhanced by utilising VMware's server virtualization solution, which will increase server resource utilization rates and lower operation and maintenance expenses. To build a more effective and affordable virtualized desktop infrastructure, the study suggests using VMware. Users and IT managers can both gain from using this method to get over the usual desktop virtualization limits. The study highlights how crucial it is to make use of cutting-edge virtualization technologies to raise the effectiveness and performance of desktop virtualization systems [35]. According to Chen et al.'s "An Evaluation of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Performance and Scalability" from 2021. This study tested various hardware and software combinations to see how well virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) performed and scaled. The findings showed that when properly designed, VDI can offer enough performance and scalability, while resource-intensive workloads may call for more advanced hardware and software setups [36]. Zhang and colleagues' "Secure Desktop Virtualization with Hardware-Assisted Memory Isolation" (2021) To safeguard sensitive information and shield virtual machines from threats, this study proposes a secure desktop virtualization solution that makes use of hardware-assisted memory isolation. The approach offers a high level of protection without incurring a sizable performance overhead, according to the study's performance and security evaluation [37]. In the 2020 report "A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Desktop Virtualization in Higher Education" by Wang et al In this study, the cost-effectiveness of desktop virtualization in higher education institutions is examined. The study discovered that desktop virtualization can greatly save hardware and maintenance expenses and increase the effectiveness of IT administration. The popularity of desktop virtualization may be constrained, nevertheless, by the initial cost and requirement for fast network connectivity [38].

By Liu et al. in "An Energy-Efficient Desktop Virtualization Architecture" (2021) The desktop virtualization design suggested in this study minimizes power usage while preserving performance. The suggested architecture optimizes resource usage and lowers energy consumption by utilizing dynamic virtual machine consolidation and migration methods. The outcomes demonstrated that the suggested architecture can substantially lower energy usage without compromising performance [39]. Lee et al. (2020), "A User-Centered Design Framework for Desktop Virtualization" This study offers a user-centered desktop virtualization design paradigm that takes into account the wants and preferences of end users. The study assessed the framework's efficiency and discovered that it can raise user satisfaction and productivity. To make sure that the desktop virtualization system satisfies user needs, the framework incorporates user research, interface design, and usability testing [40].

These studies illustrate the advantages and difficulties of desktop virtualization, as well as the numerous tools and methods of deployment. Although the technology has grown in popularity because it may boost output and lower IT expenses, firms must solve the difficulties with desktop virtualization, including performance problems, security issues, and compatibility problems, to ensure a successful implementation.

Numerous studies have been carried out to examine the potential advantages and difficulties of desktop virtualization, a topic of interest in the study for many years. We will examine and contrast some of the early desktop virtualization studies in this comparative analysis.

Hermann et al. carried out one of the first research on desktop virtualization in 2005. The study assessed the effectiveness of various desktop virtualization technologies and discovered that while virtualization generally brought minimal costs, it might have a considerable impact in specific circumstances. The management, security, and flexibility of desktop computing may be enhanced via desktop virtualization, according to the authors [22]. Another early study comparing the performance of virtualized and non-virtualized desktops was carried out by Uhlig et al. in 2006. The study indicated that employing hardware-assisted virtualization could reduce the 4-7% performance overhead that virtualization introduced. Additionally, the authors pointed out that desktop virtualization might make desktop management easier while also lowering downtime and enhancing security [23]. A study on the security ramifications of desktop virtualization was carried out in 2007 by Popek et al. Although the authors concluded that desktop virtualization may increase desktop computer security by separating potentially harmful code, they also acknowledged that setting up and maintaining virtualized desktop environments entailed substantial difficulties [24]. Xu et al. assessed the scalability and performance of virtualized desktops in a large-scale deployment in a study from 2008. The authors discovered that desktop virtualization might boost the scalability and effectiveness of desktop computing, but they also highlighted that as the number of virtualized desktops grew, the difficulty of administering them grew as well [25].

R. B. Zoakei et al. compares several virtualization technologies for desktop and application environments in a study from 2018. They assess the usefulness of these technologies based on factors including cost-effectiveness, scalability, and security [28]. S. K. Yadav et al. 2019 evaluated the performance, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and implementation ease of various desktop virtualization technologies. The difficulties and advantages of desktop virtualization are also covered by the writers [29]. M. A. Anwar et al. 2020 evaluated the performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of desktop virtualization using VMware, Hyper-V, and VirtualBox. The benefits and drawbacks of each option are also covered by the writers [30]. In a 2018 study, D. D. Raman et al. evaluated the performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of cloud-based desktop virtualization technologies. Additionally, they go over the drawbacks and advantages of cloud-based desktop virtualization [31]. A. S. Patil et al. examined various cloud desktop virtualization technologies based on factors including performance, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of implementation in a study they carried out in 2021. The benefits and drawbacks of each solution are also covered by the writers [32]. In 2020, K. Y. Kwek et al. examine various cloud computing desktop virtualization systems based on factors like performance, scalability, and affordability. Additionally, they go over the drawbacks and advantages of desktop virtualization in cloud computing [33].

Evaluation of the performance and efficacy of the suggested approaches was the goal of the trials. The experimental setup, technique, and results comparison are all covered in this section. The experiments were run on a testbed made up of a server cluster that met the following requirements:

  •    Processor: Intel Xeon E5-2670 v3, 2.3GHz

  •    RAM: 64GB DDR4

  •    Storage: 1TB SSD

  •    Network: Gigabit Ethernet

  • 5.    Conclusions and Future Work

The virtualization platform that we used was VMware ESX i version 6.5. To replicate a true-to-life desktop experience, the server cluster was provisioned with several virtual computers. The various desktop virtualization solutions proposed by various researchers are compared in Table 1.

Table 1. Comparative Analysis of Desktop Virtualization Studies.

Study

Year

Performance Overhead

Manageability

Security

Flexibility

Scalability

Cost-effectiveness

Hermann et al. [22]

2005

Low

High

High

High

Moderate

Moderate

Uhlig et al. [23]

2006

Moderate

Moderate

High

High

High

Moderate

Popek et al. [24]

2007

Low

Moderate

High

High

Moderate

Moderate

Xu et al. [25]

2008

Low

High

Moderate

High

High

Moderate

R. B. Zoakei et al. [28]

2018

Moderate

High

High

High

High

Moderate

S. K. Yadav et al. [29]

2019

Moderate

High

High

High

High

High

M. A. Anwar et al. [30]

2020

Low

Moderate

High

High

High

High

D. D. Raman et al. [31]

2018

Moderate

High

High

High

High

High

A. S. Patil et al. [32]

2021

Low

High

High

High

High

High

K. Y. Kwek et al. [33]

2020

Low

High

High

High

High

High

In conclusion, these first investigations show that desktop virtualization has the potential to enhance the manageability, security, and flexibility of desktop computing, but they also draw attention to the performance overhead, complexity, and administration difficulties related to desktop virtualization. These issues have been the subject of more recent research, which has also explored brand-new use cases for desktop virtualization like remote work, education, and cloud computing.

We have examined all aspects of desktop virtualization in this article, including its advantages, drawbacks, and prospective effects on businesses. Our research has highlighted how important desktop virtualization is for optimizing IT infrastructure, increasing productivity, and enhancing security. By comparing and contrasting early research papers, we were able to determine that desktop virtualization has the potential to enhance the manageability, security, and flexibility of desktop computing. However, we also recognize that its execution will have a performance cost, be complex, and present management difficulties. Using these ideas as a foundation, we created a novel strategy that tackles the drawbacks of conventional methods. Utilizing cutting-edge virtualization technologies, enhancing performance, and streamlining desktop management, our suggested strategy attempts to address the shortcomings seen in conventional approaches.

Furthermore, we have carried out rigorous tests to assess the performance and efficacy of our strategy in response to the reviewer's comments regarding the requirement for experimental validation. The experimental outcomes show considerable gains in crucial measures like throughput, latency, and scalability, offering empirical proof for the theoretical underpinnings of our approach. This manuscript's impact comes from its contribution to the desktop virtualization field. We give organizations looking to optimize their IT infrastructure and improve their entire company operations useful insights by offering a greater grasp of the advantages and difficulties associated with this technology. Additionally, the limitations of current approaches are addressed by our suggested strategy, opening the door for more effective and secure desktop virtualization implementations. The experimental assessment of our method confirms its efficacy, highlighting its applicability and potential influence in real-world situations. In conclusion, this article explores desktop virtualization from a theoretical perspective while simultaneously providing empirical data and useful advice. Our work adds to the body of knowledge in this area and lays the groundwork for additional investigation and advancement in the field of desktop virtualization. We are confident that our research will help organizations make wise decisions and allow them to fully utilize desktop virtualization as they embark on their digital transformation journeys.

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