HMX
Multi-user, multi-platform switching for real-time datacenter and test lab access over IP
Desktop over IP solutions are designed for desktop administrators who need to physically separate the computer from the user in the work environment. Physical separation of computer and user can provide solutions where security and/or environmental issues are major concerns. The Avocent HMX desktop over IP solution provides the ideal solution for these environments. The HMX extender system can be easily deployed over a Local Area Network, and supports comprehensive range of peripherals including DVI-I video, CD audio, USB mass storage, keyboard and mouse and other USB devices. The HMX Manager provides administration and connection management control from a central location, enabling the desktop administrator to effectively and efficiently manage the desktop computing resource without compromising the user experience.
Back-Racking of Desktop Computers
THE MARKET
In large organizations the administrators of desktop computers and software are tasked with harnessing the processing power of their computers and providing that power to many different levels of users while maintaining higher levels of hardware and software security and reliability.
The goals of the administrator (simplifi ed provisioning, security and reliability) and the needs of the user (high quality experience, rich peripheral set and varied processing needs based on individual roles) can often lead to confl ict and problems that cannot be solved by the current model of a computer on each users desk.
In many organizations there is also a drive towards improving the security of computer data as a result of legislation like Sarbanes Oxley, HIPAA and newer EU regulations. These requirements are forcing the desktop administrators to question the validity of an individual PC on each user’s desk and look for alternative solutions where the data is not resident on the desktop device.
THE APPLICATION
The concept of back-racking is applicable across many different industries all of which has a strong need to separate the computer and the user. This may be driven by security concerns, environmental issues or needs to more efficiently manage the computer resources.
Each application shares some common attributes:
- The desktop user needs to have a real-time, high quality computer experience to do their job
- The computers cannot be placed locally on the user desks
- The computers can be moved to a secure back-room location
- The administrator wants to use their standard TCP/IP infrastructure to connect the desk users with their remote computers
Important points
- Improved Reliability and Service. In the event of a fault on their computer the user can be ‘re-mapped’ to an alternate, so reducing their down time and improving the service provided by the desktop administrator.
- Improved Security. The computers are situated remotely from the user, so the computer hardware and the data stored on them is more secure.
- Improved Virus Control. The computers are now situated remotely from the user, so the introduction of virus infected fi les is more difficult and using appropriate software policies can be eliminated completely.
- Standard Infrastructure. The solution uses all the existing desktop skills in the IT group and does not need new infrastructure as is the case with Thin Client.
- Improved Access to Best Computing Power. Users with the highest computing needs can be reallocated to the latest machines thereby ensuring that they gain from the newest hardware performance in high powered applications.
- Virtualization Benefits with Existing Hardware. All the benefits of virtualization can be realized using the same computer hardware and network infrastructure as already in place. This solution needs no additional hardware and could even be rolled out progressively in an organization because the same computers are in use all the time