Note: This blog is in reference to Citrix XenDesktop 5.0 ONLY. Note: The following link contains the latest discussion between PVS and MCS (https://virtualfeller.com/2016/05/17/pvs-vs-mcs-part-1-resource-delivery-options/) The decision between using Provisioning Services or Machine Creation Services is based on many things, with a few being discussed previously: Big Picture Operations Resource Requirements Let’s say you’ve gone through… Continue reading PVS or MCS – What’s Your Decision Going to Be
Tag: Provisioning services
PVS or MCS – We Talking About IOPS Again
Deciding between PVS and MCS is a tough decision for many organizations. Although MCS is limited in that it can only do virtual machines, it does appear to be easier to setup than PVS. In fact, MCS just works while PVS requires another server and configuration of bootstrap processes like TFTP/PXE. So it sounds like… Continue reading PVS or MCS – We Talking About IOPS Again
PVS or MCS – Operations Is Important
As we continue to decide between using Provisioning Services or Machine Creation Services in an environment, we need to go beyond the Big Picture factor explained in a previous blog. The second thing we should look at is the operational aspect of the solution. Operational models are rather boring. Who cares about supporting the environment?… Continue reading PVS or MCS – Operations Is Important
Provisioning Services or Machine Creation Services… Big Picture Matters
Note: this is the first part in a multi-part discussion on PVS and MCS Since XenDesktop 5 came out, one of the biggest questions flying around is, “Should I use Provisioning Services (PVS) or Machine Creation Services (MCS)?” Both options work and both options provide single image management, but what is the right answer? Is… Continue reading Provisioning Services or Machine Creation Services… Big Picture Matters
Designing for Diskless Virtual Desktops
I received a few interesting question related streaming desktop images via Provisioning Services. The question asks “What is the best option for storing the write cache when the target devices are disk-less?” One question asked about disk-less physical endpoints, while another question asked about virtual machines with no disks assigned. This was a great question.… Continue reading Designing for Diskless Virtual Desktops
XenDesktop Design Handbook – No Registration Required
A few months ago we released the XenDesktop Design Handbook that contained a collection of reference designs, implementation guides and planning guides. When it was initially released, it had a few items. Over the past couple of months we have included additional items like Bandwidth planning Windows 7 optimization guide VM resource allocation SMB reference… Continue reading XenDesktop Design Handbook – No Registration Required
Provisioning Services and CIFS Shares
Looks like we can use CIFS shares to store our vDisk images. Yes, you heard that right, CIFS shares are OK to use. Take a look at Citrix Sr. Consultant Dan Allen’s blog about Provisioning Services and CIFS Stores – Tuning For Performance. Why does this matter? First we’ve always said not to use CIFS… Continue reading Provisioning Services and CIFS Shares
XenDesktop Enterprise Design TechTalk Question & Answer
I recently did a TechTalk discussing XenDesktop Design topics. If you missed it, you can watch the recording. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to answer the questions during the webinar, but I’ve gone ahead and tried to answer them here. If you have more, please let me know. Thanks Daniel – Lead Architect Q: Can… Continue reading XenDesktop Enterprise Design TechTalk Question & Answer
Fun TechTalk on XenDesktop Enterprise Design
One of the best things about my position is I get to talk to a lot of smart people, do some pretty cool things (like playing around with the iPad), and constantly learn. For example, any idea why you would modify the “Maximum Transition Rate”? Do you even have an idea what it is? I… Continue reading Fun TechTalk on XenDesktop Enterprise Design
Moving from a SMB Virtual Desktop Solution to Enterprise Scale
I recently got a great question on Facebook about when to add additional XenDesktop controllers and Provisioning services servers as the environment expands. As I’m long winded, I thought a blog entry makes more sense than a Facebook comment. First, your initial design should plan for the future. I recently had a customer conversation that… Continue reading Moving from a SMB Virtual Desktop Solution to Enterprise Scale