The remainder of this planning guide walks through four key steps for planning a desktop virtualization implementation. The information comes from Intel’s experience working with desktop virtualization software vendors and OEMs and from our experience analyzing, planning, and implementing desktop virtualization in our own company. Since 2007, Intel IT has been working with a variety of virtualization techniques to see which would provide the widest range of benefits for Intel. The information in this document is based largely on this experience.
Intel IT Recommends: Best Practices for Client Management
As mentioned, desktop virtualization is not a quick cure for common desktop management issues. In most cases, desktop virtualization still requires a client endpoint and a client operating system that need to be managed and secured. As we’ve worked on desktop virtualization at Intel, the IT department has found that before embarking on desktop virtualization, it is extremely important to establish proactive, automated client management processes. We believe that best-practice client management means having the following in place: Automated processes for: Password reset Patch management Asset management Antivirus protection Software distribution Standardized images Minimum possible number of Windows* versions PC firewalls L1 and L2 lockdown policies Network access control
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Intel IT Center Planning Guide | Desktop Virtualization