desktop virtualization

(1) A virtual machine (VM) environment in the user's computer. See client virtualization.

(2) Desktop virtualization also refers to a thin client architecture in which the user's OS and apps run in a separate partition in a server. Commonly called "virtual desktop infrastructure" (VDI), the user's desktop is delivered over the network to the user's PC in real time.

Like Early Mainframes and Terminals
The PC functions as an input/output (I/O) terminal to a central server that performs all the processing. This is like the early days of terminals connected to mainframes, except that the graphics-based desktop is delivered to the user rather than plain text. Desktop virtualization can also be performed within the user's own computer (see client virtualization). See thin client, virtual machine, Terminal Services and Remote Desktop Services.

Desktop Virtual Machines (VMs)

Users are presented with their own PC, except that it physically resides in a server in the datacenter. For more on the VM architecture, see virtual machine. See Remote Desktop Services, Citrix XenDesktop and VMware.