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By Cara Garretson
Citrix Systems has introduced its XenClient client-side virtualization software, which is designed to turn corporate PCs and laptops into centrally managed virtual desktops.
Citrix showed off XenClient -- first announced in January -- at its Citrix Synergy 2010 event, held in San Francisco this week. XenClient was co-developed by Intel and offers a way for IT departments to provide Windows desktops to users that are centrally managed and secured by the IT department.
XenClient is a “bare metal” hypervisor, meaning it runs directly on the client hardware -- unlike other client virtualization offerings that run on a centralized server in the data center. Therefore, according to Citrix, it offers greater performance and availability because the virtual machine runs locally and don’t require a connection to the server.
XenClient, which works with Intel’s vPro hardware virtualization technologies, can be set up to allow one user to have multiple virtual desktops on one PC or laptop, says Citrix. That means a mobile user can maintain a corporate desktop that adheres to the company’s security and administration settings and also run a personal desktop with access to home e-mail and applications.
“Corporate laptops are the last mile in extending the full benefits of desktop virtualization to all users in the enterprise,” said Mark Templeton, president and CEO of Citrix, in a statement. “Through our collaboration with key partners like Intel, Dell, HP and Microsoft, we are excited to begin delivering client side virtualization that is secure by design to corporate laptop users, with all of the performance and rich user experience they expect. Today’s release of XenClient Express is the first step toward giving millions of mobile workers virtual desktops to go.”
XenClient is based on the same technology behind Citrix’s XenServer. Receiver for XenClient is lightweight client software that lets users create and manage virtual desktops on their notebooks or PCs, as well as access centrally managed corporate virtual desktops. Synchronizer for XenClient allows users to back up their data automatically via a secure Internet connection, and also lets IT define security policies and perform management functions such as disabling a lost or stolen laptop or restore a user’s virtual desktop.
In addition to allowing users to maintain a personal virtual desktop on their corporate PCs and laptops, Citrix’s XenClient also facilitates the movement toward “bring your own computer” models, where companies allow employees to purchase and use their own laptops in corporate settings. By using this software, IT can establish corporate virtual desktops on personal laptops that adhere to security and administration policies set by the company.
XenClient is slated for release as a part of Citrix’s next release of XenDesktop, planned for later in 2010, the company said. A free trial and evaluation kit for mobile users, called XenClient Express, is available now for download from Citrix’s Web site.
Also at Citrix Synergy 2010, Citrix announced it is working with security vendor McAfee to extend its ePolicy Orchestrator to secure client PCs and laptops running Citrix XenDesktop.
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