Windows 10 IOPS


We live in a multi-dimensional world, but our analysis of Windows 10, to date, has been focused on a single aspect… single server scalability. I think it is time for us to look at another aspect: storage.

Diving deeper into the latest XenDesktop 7.5 IOPS results


As you saw in a previous blog, XenDesktop 7.5 is able to achieve an average IOPS value of less than 1/10th per user. Of course when you put out unbelievable results like this you hear a lot of comments trying to find holes in the results or test procedures. This is as it should be… Continue reading Diving deeper into the latest XenDesktop 7.5 IOPS results

Latest XenDesktop 7.5 IOPS


It is amazing when you’ve been focused on a technology for so long that you start to see major improvements. In 2010, I provided my original guidance on XenDesktop IOPS. Four years later, have we seen any major improvement? See for yourself. As you might be aware, I’ve been working with the Citrix Solutions Lab… Continue reading Latest XenDesktop 7.5 IOPS

The Latest XenApp 7.5 Read/Write Ratios


As technology changes, so too does a recommendation. For years when you deployed XenApp servers with Provisioning Services, the storage Read:Write ratio would be 10:90. This is still the case in most scenarios. But in analyzing the latest data from the Citrix Solutions Lab, who were testing the “RAM Cache with Overflow to Disk” option,… Continue reading The Latest XenApp 7.5 Read/Write Ratios

The New XenApp – Reducing IOPS to 1


As we all know, IOPS are the bane of any application and virtualization project. If you don’t have enough, users will suffer. If you have too many, you probably spent too much money and your business will suffer. So we are always trying to find ways to more accurately estimate IOPS requirements as well as… Continue reading The New XenApp – Reducing IOPS to 1

Virtual Desktops with Local Storage, Good Enough for Me


The desktop is a unique beast within the data center. It is something different than what we’ve typically placed within the tightly controlled, highly-available environment. What happened so far is that the desktop has changed to better align with data center practices. That means having high levels of availability and utilizing shared storage. But is… Continue reading Virtual Desktops with Local Storage, Good Enough for Me

Does Cache Trump IOPS


With desktop virtualization, we hear more and more about how important IOPS are to being able to support the virtual desktop. I’ve had a few blogs about it and plan to have a few more. What I wanted to talk about was an interesting discussion I recently had with 3 Senior Architects within Citrix Consulting… Continue reading Does Cache Trump IOPS

Not Spending Your Cache Wisely


It almost sounds like I’m talking about personal finances. You better plan your cache appropriately or you will run out. I’m not talking about money; I’m talking about system memory (although if you plan poorly we will quickly be talking about money). It comes down to this… system cache is a powerful feature allowing a… Continue reading Not Spending Your Cache Wisely

The Virtual School Is In Session, Please Take your Seats


Once upon a time, there was a little school (70,000 users) with a  little problem (desktops over 5 years old) with a little idea. The school was trying to find a way to make the tax money go further. The newest desktops were 5 years old with many more approaching 10 years.  Depending on the… Continue reading The Virtual School Is In Session, Please Take your Seats

Local or Shared Storage – that is the question


Previously I’ve talked about how using local storage can help reduce the costs of desktop virtualization.  Paul Wilson tested this type of environment to determine if it is possible or to see if I was talking crazy. The result: it is possible and I’m a little crazy.  So we have a new design decision, which… Continue reading Local or Shared Storage – that is the question