sheridan
IT Projects

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

VDI Project Overview

VDI projectSheridan is seeking a solution that provides a standardized and centralized platform for delivering software on academic and administrative computers through an appropriate combination of desktop and application virtualization.

Further, by utilizing desktop virtualization, Sheridan is also seeking to:

  • lower a portion of the overall cost of ownership of the roughly 3,000 desktop computers in our academic labs and administrative environments
    • approx. 2000 academic computers and 1000 administrative computers

  • provide Mobile Computing users (students & faculty) with a consistent and predictable computing environment (incl. Operating System; academic software; support)

  • introduce a "greener" end user computing platform that is in line with the College's strategic sustainability initiatives

  • deliver a platform that is compatible with Sheridan's vision for hybrid and online learning strategy as defined in the Academic Innovation Strategy

More Information

This site will be updated regularly as the project unfolds. In the meantime, if you have questions or comments, please send email to vdiproject@sheridancollege.ca.

What is VDI?

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) utilizes server hardware to run desktop operating systems (OS) and applications inside a virtual desktop rather than users storing their OS, desktop personality and data on individual laptops or desktops.

Accessing VDI

Users can access these virtual desktops using client-side applications on their existing PCs, mobile devices or via thin client machines*. The end-user experience is essentially the same—their desktop looks and behaves just like the desktop PC or laptop that they’re accustomed to using.

* thin clients (aka zero client machines) are simplified workstations that rely on the server to deliver the user desktop environment and handle data processing tasks

VDI Benefits

Because the computer processing and storage infrastructure moves from the user’s workstation to the server, there are benefits to both the user and the organization:

  • users can access virtual desktops anytime, from anywhere, on any Internet connected device
  • installation of applications, updates, and drivers needs to only occur on the server image— every user relying on that image benefits from any updates that occur.
  • there’s no need to upgrade numerous PCs to meet a new OS’s or application’s minimum hardware requirements.
  • data is stored on the server in the data center and not the device. If the device is stolen or damaged, the information is protected
  • any issues that arise can usually be resolved from within the data center; in most cases, there’s no need to run out to troubleshoot an individual’s computer.

Latest Project News

July 2015

  • Information Technology is working with administrative areas around the college to migrate up to 200 desktops to VDI. Work is also underway to plan for the expansion of the back-end infrastructure to accommodate a large planned increase in the use of VDI in the future.

Project Background

Phase 4 [June 2015 to December 2015]

  • Expand use of VDI in administrative areas around the college.

  • Expand and upgrade the back-end infrastructure to accommodate upcoming requirements and provide additional capabilities to our clients.

Phase 3 [May 2014 - June 2015]

The third phase of the VDI project saw the following come to fruition:

  • reviewed upcoming end of leases for computers in classroom podiums and labs to plan for continued zero-client deployment

  • piloted VDI with an appropriate group of administrative users

  • piloted VDI with a group of Mobile Computing users

  • piloted VDI technology with select Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies (FCAPS) programs
    • one distance Ed pilot already underway

Phase 2 [January 2013 - April 2014]

Building upon the successful deployment of the Desktop and Application Virtualization proof of concept that was put into production at the Skills Training Centre in the fall of 2011 IT introduced VDI to a wider client community.

The main goals of this phase of the project were to:

    • provide a standardized desktop computing environment for academic users in Sheridan's computer labs, including the Learning Commons' at the Davis and Trafalgar Road campuses
      • desktop computers across all campus Learning Commons were replaced with zero-client machines

    • provide a standardized desktop computing environment for a small pilot group of administrative users
      • this has been deferred to Phase 3 of the project

    • replace the PCs coming off lease in the areas referenced above with VDI Endpoints – simplified workstations that consume up to 40% less energy than traditional PCs
      • this has been deferred to Phase 3 of the project

Phase 1 [Fall 2011]

Phase 1 of the project saw the successful deployment of a VDI solution to a computer lab at the Skills Training Centre campus. One of the big challenges faced in this deployment was the fact the room would get very warm due to number of PCs that were operating within this relatively small space. Replacing the traditional PCs with VDI Endpoints, which consume much less energy, made the temperature in this room much more comfortable and provided users with a secure and consistent desktop experience.

Case Studies

As Sheridan College is one of the first Canadian educational institutions to roll VDI out on a large scale, some of our vendor partners have developed case studies addressing the deployment, implementation, and use cases of VDI at Sheridan. The first of these studies appears below. Others will be added as they become available.