With companies across the board tightening up on budgets we all have to be a bit more resourceful and seek out alternative resources for our users and ourselves, after all, isn't part of being an IT Pro being a problem solver? Ncomputing has come up with a really interesting value proposition around Virtual desktop infrastructure management. Do you have any experience using this technology? Ncomputing would like to get some feedback and are looking to bounce some ideas off 4 or 5 SMB IT Pros to provide feedback. If you're interested in trying this out please reply to this thread and help other SpiceHeads be in the know. I might be able to test something like that, however to be honest, we would probably go with VMware's virtual desktop solution if we were going to roll out virtual desktops firm wide.We would be an interesting test bed, about 60% of our workstations are laptops, and the other 40% are desktops.
We would really be interested if these virtual desktops worked well with laptops out in the field, off the network. Especially if the desktop images are easily centrally managed and updated with new apps with quick provisioning.Desktop virtualization faces a lot of challenges for sure, I have not heard of Ncomputing, they make a pretty bold comment about 'being the greenest computing solution on earth', and 'the global leader in virtual desktop computing'. This has at least sparked an interest. I have 8 nComputing units in use and can recommend them, with a few notes. I use the 'L' series, which lets each nComputing unit connect to another computer running the 'host' software via ethernet, so I can use anywhere on the network. They have recently come out wit less expensive packages that use a card and direct cables to physically close units.One year ago I bought a basic PC running XP Pro, but bumped memory up to 4GB.
Sep 16, 2016 - Update the vSpace platform. The general rule when you are using a third party device with our thin clients, is to make sure that you have the. NComputing RX300 Thin Client Review – Part 1: Unboxing and Teardown NComputing RX300 is a thin client based on Raspberry Pi 3 board that will allow to remotely run Windows and Linux operating systems from a much more powerful server, and Raspberry Pi 3 mostly handling the display, and connection to hardware like USB keyboard and mouse.
I have this PC as a user workstation, that has 6 nComputing workstations running off of it. You can use a server, but I went the simple approach. Future units will connect to other PCs in the local departments.At a remote office, I had a mix of Pentium II and III machines for teenagers to use.
I took the two best PIIIs and connected one nComputing unit to each. It greatly improved on their situation, but only cost about $400 total, as I used the old keyboard, mouse and CRT monitor.I am putting another 2 units out next week, but they will use LCD monitors.
The nComputing unit easily attaches to the back of the screen, so once you clean up the cables, it is a clean setup.I recommend getting LCDs with built-in speakers. The user can't crank it up very loud, but can listen to web audio and application beeps.Note 1) You need to check your license count. NComputing and XP Pro don't raise any red flags, but to be legit, you need application software license for wach user.Note 2) Get short USB extension cables. The nComputing unit has a USB port, but when mounted behind an LCD, it is hard to reach.Note 3) Because you have multiple users, if the 'main' computer locks up, everybody gets kicked off.
This does not happen very often with me, and is mainly due to a Lotus application.Note 4) Users cannot change screen resoultion, it is a nComputing setup parameter. Because I don't read directions, it took me a while to figure this out!Some vendors will let you have a unit on 30 day evaluation. We tried the bait and got hooked! We're using them in our school district, right now we're just setting up the labs but plan on using them in classrooms as well. We're using the X350 & X550 kits.
The L series didn't quite meet our multimedia requirements. The X series can run 480p video without a hitch on multiple desktops. We went from 25 computers per lab to 4 and reduced the amount of time it takes for setup and maintenance. The only real caveats for us is that they're a little slow to update the software, they're just coming out with a server 2008/Vista compatible version for the X-series and windows 7 is almost here.
That and you have to make sure any software you use is multiuser compatible. If those two things aren't a problem I highly recommend trying them out, the kits are very inexpensive and don't require any special hardware. I can say that nComputing does not provide all the details on their site.IMO they have left info on their site that customers must consider.NO WHERE in their site does it say that you need a VECD license for each device that is accessing the server. If you dont have a VECD license you are only allowed to use the Server OS not Client OS.feel free to PM me directly if you want more details.VECD is required regardless of virtualization technology and is required for any device that access windows client os on a server. We have had poor results here in a 18 seat lab where we have it deployed.The lab frequently locks up and the only recourse we have found is rebooting the primary machine the others run off of.
We have switched the OS from MS Multi point server to Server 2008, effect still occurs.We have also seen each of the cards lose their registration more times then I can count. We contact support, make sure we have the latest build, completely uninstall the software, reinstall the software, re-register the cards and they work again. Sometimes for a week, sometimes for 12 hours.When it works the NComputing Virtual desktops are nice though if we had to do it all again I do not think we would go this route again.One final thing in their promotional videos they show a bank of machines where some of them are playing different videos (one of the videos looks like 'Finding Nemo') those are ripped files N Computing cannot play multiple DVDs or even one, it doesn't share the DVD drive with the user sessions.To date since its inception (March 2010) we have not had a trouble free week of operation from this product. We are currently using the X550 card with XD2 devices, and I have to say it was a poor purchasing decision on my company's part. I couldn't get them to work after wiring the room to support them just across it, and when i talked to tech support, only then did they inform me that the effective range was a horrendous 15ft. With CAT6, which I ended up having to run across the floor.).
They don't run the software we intended to train people on very well, but to be fair, the host isn't a server.Either way, bad experience with these. I was going to implement the L-series, but probably not after that experience. I'd rather fight management for better equipment than go through a hassle like that again. My experience has been with the L-series devises that are connected via Ethernet. When I had 9 users running on one XP Pro desktop with 4GB, I could go two weeks without restarting, other times I would need to reboot three times in a day.
My heaviest app is Lotus notes client.Since I moved 3 users to connect to another desktop, I have had almost no problems. My thinking is that many users hammering the same app hard could be an issue, as would be the case in a computer lab.It is important to note that to be legal, you need application licenses (ie Office) for each concurrent client.
Also need Terminal Server CALs for each device.Foe my money, this is still a great solution. I am still picking up nComputing devices as I need to add workstations.
Access up to 100 virtual desktop sessions per vSpace ServerThe L-series is a game-changing virtual desktop client device. Its sleek low-power design and form factor is easily mounted on a monitor or secured to a desk. Powered by NComputing's Numo System on a Chip (SoC), the L-series client device costs less than any other thin- or zero-client options and is a quarter of the cost of typical desktop PCs. With the ability to connect up to 100 user sessions to a single NComputing vSpace server, the combination provides a simple and powerful desktop virtualization solution at one-third the price of traditional alternatives. L-series FamilyFeatureL250L300L350. OS dependent (older versions to 30 users)Full Screen VideoHigh availability loginRapid Deployment ToolsEnhanced audioMicrophone portMaximum display resolution1440 x 9001920 x 10801920 x 1200Video portVGAVGADVI-DMaximum Users per host.100100100Speaker outputMounting bracketLow power (3-5W)USB peripheral support(1) USB 2.0(2) USB 2.0(2) USB 2.0Keyboard & Mouse Ports(2) USB 1.1(2) USB 1.1(2) USB 2.0Available ColorsBlack or WhiteBlack onlyBlack only.