Reuven Cohen wrote:
> In a rather sudden and bold move VMware has open sourced their client
> for virtual desktop infrastructure client called the VMware View Open
> Client <
http://code.google.com/p/vmware-view-open-client/> (no I'm not
> dyslexic, that's the name). This announcement could have drastic
> ramifications within the VDI ecosystem. Also surprising is that it's
> hosted at Google Code
> <
http://code.google.com/p/vmware-view-open-client/>, which could
> indicate something brewing between the two.
> The VMware VOC lets you connect from a Linux desktop to remote Windows
> desktops managed by VMware View
> <http://www.vmware.com/products/view/>. It is available under the GNU
> Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (LGPL v 2.1). (Personally I
> would have preferred to see GPL3.0, but beggars can't be choosers)
> According to the release, the VDI client has been optimized for thin
> client devices and is encouraged for use by thin client partners
> applications and devices. Partners are encouraged to use this open
> source software to develop clients fo non-x86 platforms, or operating
> systems other than Windows XP/e or Linux.
> So what does all this mean? For one, it represents a shot across the
> bow of the Redmond giant Microsoft who is already offering their
> hyper-v platform free of charge. It also pits them directly against
> the other "open source" virtualization company -- Citrix, who's main
> money maker is their proprietary desktop virtualization platform. It
> is interesting to see if this move forces Citrix to actually finally
> embrace open source for anything other then their Xen project. It will
> also be interesting to see if RedHat with their KVM or Ericom follow
> suit and offer some level of "free" VDI. Until today the only real
> open source VDI platform was Nomachines FreeNX. This cetainly changes
> the playing field.
> The move also seems to be an attenpt to solidify VMware's position in
> the potentially huge "cloud" or thin client virtual desktop market.
> According to Gartner, (not exactly an ideal source of
> prognostications), they predict;
> * That approximately 50 million user licenses for hosted virtual
> desktops will be purchased by 2013.
> * The thin-client terminal will account for about 40% of user
> devices for hosted virtual desktop deployment.
> It is my opinion that as we move into the 4th generation of computing
> (Thanks Cisco), there will be two camps emerging. Those who use cloud
> applications and various as-a-service Internet centric software
> approaches, and those who hold on to the traditional desktop centric
> approaches such as large enterprises, etc. I feel the key difference
> in this new computing era will be that the desktops will start to look
> more like services, and VMware knows this all to well.
> Many companies including Verizon already have active cloud desktop
> services under development, who knows maybe in the near future the
> your computer will be provided by your ISP. I know I can't wait for my
> Comcast Desktop, yikes.
> Reuven
> CCIF Instigator
