Fujitsu Zero Client

Zero client.

We have just received a demo version of the new Fujitsu's Zero Client. Pretty cool device, which is build into a 22′ wide TFT screen, and which does not require any CPU, storage and there are no moving parts either. There is no operating system, applications or local data backup. LAN and power cable, that's all you need to connect your users with the Zero Client to your VDI infrastructure. There is a keyboard, mouse, VGA display, and audio output — along with other USB peripherals you connect to a virtualized Microsoft Windows desktop operating system running on a server in the data center.

There are also versions with smaller TFT screen (19′) and also Power over Ethernet version which would need to integrate into an environment with compatible POE switches. It's plug-and-play device. The connection to Desktop Virtual Machine (DVM), either in the cloud or on an own-network hosted infrastructure.

Fujitsu partners with Pano Logic and their Pano Manager as a connection broker.  When ordering your Zero Client, you buy not only the hadware device but also a license connection to your VDI infrastructure.

What is Pano Manager?

Pano Manager is the central component of the Pano System architecture and handles the following:

• Discovers and controls Pano Devices on the network
• Controls the virtual infrastructure and makes sure
  desktop virtual machines are available
• Connects users to their assigned virtual desktops
• Monitors status of user sessions and takes
  corrective action when necessary

Pano Manager is continually discovering and controlling Pano Devices to ensure users can always access their virtual desktops. Once a Pano Device is discovered on the network, Pano Manager tells the Pano Device to display a login screen.  When users enter their Windows credentials, Pano Manager authenticates them and connects them to their assigned virtual machine.  If the user's virtual desktop happens to be powered off, Pano Manager can automatically start it and connect the user once the it is ready.

Pano manager can optionally integrate with vCenter Server and and it can work with VMware View Manager if needed – more information is available in the Solution Brief on Using VMware View with the Pano System.

You can use the ESXi 4 free version if you're dealing with just a few clients if you want to keep the costs down. The Pano Manager gets the job done, because it acts as a connection broker by replacing the VMware view connection server.

There are 3 basic connection supported by the Pano Manager:

• Pooled Desktops collections are groups of identically configured desktop virtual machines.  When users log in they are automatically assigned to the next DVM free in the pool.  This collection type works well for uses like call centers where users don't or can't customize their DVMs.
• Permanently Assigned Desktops collections maintain a persistent user-DVM link and users always as assigned to the same DVM, much like with a physical PC, allowing them to customize the desktop and applications, and are usually used with knowledge workers where they replace a permanently assigned PC. This collection type has two caveats: they can open the door to malware and image corruptions and they make recovery from problems more complicated than with a Pooled Collection.
• Existing Desktops collections contain unique DVM configurations that individual users might already have been using before they were transition to virtual desktops. By gathering these unique DVMs in their own collection, Pano Manager can help you manage and monitor them more easily.

Pano Manager is a pre-configured virtual appliance running linux Cent OS. The Pano manager's configuration can be done through the CLI or through Web interface of your Internet browser.

You still have to do all the work to configure your

See all the PDF documentation about Pano Logic and it's integration with VMware on PanoLogic's website here.

Existing Desktops collections contain unique DVM configurations that individual users might already have been using before they were transition to virtual desktops. By gathering these unique DVMs in their own collection, Pano Manager can help you manage and monitor them more easily.