Let’s create a seamless, virtualized work environment that leverages the strengths of Lenovo hardware, IGEL OS, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Lenovo TruScale infrastructure.
Components:
- Lenovo Device: Choose from the ThinkCentre or ThinkPad product lines.
- IGEL OS: Preloaded on the Lenovo device or added to legacy hardware within the organization, optimized for secure and efficient access to virtual environments.
- Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD): Hosted on-premise, provides virtual desktops and applications. Administrators can now provision Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts on Azure Stack HCI clusters from the Azure Portal.
- Lenovo TruScale with Azure Stack HCI: Supports the on-premise infrastructure required for hosting AVD.
Use Case Details:
- Hardware Selection (Lenovo ThinkCentre/ThinkPad):
- ThinkCentre: Ideal for stationary workstations, offering robust performance and reliability.
- ThinkPad: Best suited for mobile workers, providing flexibility and connectivity.
- IGEL OS Integration:
- IGEL OS is preloaded on Lenovo devices or installed on existing hardware.
- Configured in Kiosk mode for focused application use, like POS systems.
- Configured for seamless access to W365 or AVD Desktops for wider, more complex workloads and optimized for Unified Communications.
- Provides secure and efficient access to virtualized desktops and applications with simplified management and deployment.
- Azure Virtual Desktop Deployment:
- AVD is hosted on-premise, offering a full Windows desktop or specific Windows applications.
- Users access AVD through their endpoints running IGEL OS.
- Offers flexibility in working remotely or on-site, with centralized management and deployment.
- Infrastructure Support (Lenovo TruScale and Azure Stack HCI):
- Lenovo TruScale infrastructure provides the necessary hardware and services for on-premise AVD hosting.
- Integrated with Azure Stack HCI, it delivers high-performance, hyper-converged infrastructure.
- Ensures scalability, reliability, and efficient use of resources for the virtualized workload demands.
Benefits:
- Flexibility and Scalability: Easily scale up or down based on business needs, suitable for various work environments and workloads (remote, on-site, mobile).
- Security and Compliance: Enhanced security features from IGEL OS, like a read-only OS and modular design, coupled with the secure infrastructure of Lenovo TruScale and Azure Stack HCI.
- Cost-Efficiency:
- The pay-as-you-go model of Lenovo TruScale reduces upfront costs. Efficient resource utilization lowers the total cost of ownership, and the consumption model helps replicate cloud native models.
- IGEL OS can repurpose existing hardware, reducing the need for new hardware purchases, streamlining endpoint management, and reducing tool proliferation.
- Performance and Reliability: Lenovo’s robust hardware ensures reliable performance; Azure Stack HCI offers high availability for critical applications. The IGEL OS is optimized for end-user experience, can support many different workloads and integrations, and fully integrates with Microsoft Entra for SSO.
- Centralized Management: Simplified management of Infrastructure and virtual environments with Azure Arc and Endpoint Management through IGEL UMS, leading to reduced IT overhead and tighter security.
Conclusion:
This use case demonstrates a powerful, integrated solution that combines the best of Lenovo's hardware, IGEL OS, and Microsoft’s virtual desktop technology, all supported by a scalable, on-premise infrastructure with Lenovo TruScale and Azure Stack HCI. It's an ideal setup for businesses looking for flexible, secure, and cost-effective virtualized workspace solutions.