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RemoteFX on RD Virtualization Host on LAN Example

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Updated: March 23, 2011

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

Margie’s Travel is one of the largest chauffeured transportation companies in the world. Based in New Jersey, it operates in more than 650 cities around the world

Margie’s Travel wanted to improve the reliability of its IT infrastructure and also reduce the work of managing server and desktop computers. In 2007, Margie’s Travel decided to rebuild its data center on the Windows Server 2003 and HP hardware. By doing so, the company simplified its IT environment, improved reliability, and streamlined data center administration. By 2008, 90 percent of the company’s server computers ran Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise.

In 2009, Margie’s Travel learned about the Windows Server 2008 R2 and decided to upgrade. Margie’s Travel was interested in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2 to create virtual desktop environments. VDI is an alternative desktop delivery model that allows users to access desktop environments that run on data center servers. Administrators wanted to use virtualization and server management capabilities such as the enhanced Hyper-V™ technology with live migration, and the Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) feature for failover clustering. With live migration, administrators can move virtual machines from one host server to another without interrupting running workloads.

Another innovation in Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) that appealed to Margie’s Travel was Microsoft® RemoteFX™, a new feature of Remote Desktop Services. IT administrators can use it to deliver a rich end user experience to employees who are using virtualized or session-based desktops. Using new protocol enhancements between Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows 7 Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (SP1), users can access virtual desktops from a wide variety of endpoint devices and still get a media-rich user experience with server-side graphics processing and support for USB peripherals.

Margie’s Travel employees previously used expensive desktop computers with dual 30-inch high-resolution monitors to run the company’s proprietary applications, used for critical tasks such as scheduling. With RemoteFX, Margie’s Travel has been able to run that application on thin-client computers, at a $2,500 cost savings per knowledge worker that requires a rich graphical experience.

Goals achieved:

  • Centralized Windows 7 Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (SP1) desktop delivery for LAN

  • Rich media application experience

  • Support for USB peripherals

  • Lower IT costs by replacing expensive rich clients with low cost thin clients