Dell and VMware deliver pre-integrated virtual desktop infrastructure

Dell has announced pre-integrated systems designed specifically for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) workloads based on VMware's Horizon View.

It claims the move will enable organisations to more rapidly deploy and provision virtual desktops.

Unveiled at the VMware Partner Exchange conference, the Dell DVS Enterprise - Active System 800 developed in partnership with VMware is set to be available in the US from March and will roll out across the rest of the world during the summer.

The system is a pre-integrated, purpose-built platform based on Dell's Active System converged infrastructure products combined with the newly released VMware Horizon View 5.2, plus Dell Wyse thin clients for endpoint access.

"Dell and VMware are jointly developing and delivering end-to-end desktop virtualisation solutions that are easy to configure, order, deploy and support and are available through Dell PartnerDirect and VMware solution providers," said Janet Diaz, communications manager at Dell.

Key for enterprise customers is that pre-integration delivers them a ready-assembled and tested solution based on Dell's server, storage and networking kit, capable of supporting up to 4,000 users in each cluster, according to the firm.

Included as part of the package is Dell's Active System Manager 7.0 for workload automation and infrastructure management, which provides fast and easy provisioning of resources using a template-based approach.

The hardware is delivered in a 24U datacentre rack and comprises PowerEdge M620 blade servers with 128GB memory apiece and flash boot, combined with EqualLogic PS6100 series storage arrays and 10Gbit/s Dell Force10 network switches.

VMware's Horizon View 5.2 was launched last week, bringing touch support for Windows 8 and client support for iOS and Android mobile devices, plus improved large-scale management.

Pricing for the Dell DVS Enterprise - Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View has yet to be disclosed.