Client and Desktop Virtualization

A popular shift in desktop deployment has been the concept of virtual desktops or using host servers to provide virtual machines for desktop users (virtual desktop infrastructure), which are accessed through some kind of thin client.

There are many different products and technologies to achieve this client virtualization. The issue with many of these deployments is a lack of media support. In Lync 2010 there was no option supported by Microsoft that allowed audio or video in a virtual client deployment. With Lync 2013 there is now an option of virtual desktop support with an API to enable all virtual desktop vendors to support audio and video in Lync within a virtual desktop. This involves running a plugin on the thin terminal, which must be running Windows 7 Embedded or above. Audio and video are then streamed directly from the client, while the user controls the client from within the virtual desktop.

The Lync 2013 Virtual Desktop plugin is explained in more detail in Chapter 27, “Lync and VDI.”