The commercial sponsor of KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), Qumranet, launched its anticipated desktop virtualization solution - Solid ICE (Independent Computing Environment). The Solid ICE product is used on x86 hosts and leverages the KVM hypervisor technology. On top of that, Qumranet created its own management suite to wrap everything together. And the company's secret sauce is, well, not a sauce, but a sp The commercial sponsor of KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), Qumranet, launched its anticipated desktop virtualization solution – Solid ICE (Independent Computing Environment).The Solid ICE product is used on x86 hosts and leverages the KVM hypervisor technology. On top of that, Qumranet created its own management suite to wrap everything together. And the company’s secret sauce is, well, not a sauce, but a spice. SPICE is the company’s integrated remote rendering technology which connects the virtualization product to a thin client or desktop PC. The remote technology is said to be much more powerful than Microsoft’s RDP, and provides instant access to Windows and Linux desktops. Windows 2000 users who have trouble remoting in will be pleased to hear that SPICE supports the operating system.The company said in statement, “Unlike Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), other retrofitted server virtualization solutions, and Terminal Services models, Solid ICE provides a complete desktop experience for end users running a thin client or repurposed PC. Entire Windows and Linux desktop environments are hosted centrally and administered from a single control point. Leveraging the open-source KVM hypervisor, SPICE remote rendering technology, and a robust, purposefully built management system, Solid ICE delivers a superior desktop experience.” Solid ICE benefits for IT departments: Fully-integrated, “out-of-the-box” desktop virtualization solution Centralized management, storage and policy enforcement Instant provisioning of new desktops Significant reduction of desk-side visits Near-zero downtime in the event of server failures Significant reduction in the cost of new application deployment Robust desktop image management capabilities Normal 2-3 year PC refresh cycle extended to 5-6 years or more Energy consumption costs reduced dramatically Solid ICE benefits for the end user: Existing desktop-like performance including multiple monitors, bi-directional audio/video, streaming video, USB support etc. Ability to access the users’ enterprise desktop environment from any PC, (including the employee’s home PC) Desktop computing power on demand Multiple desktops on demand Self provisioning of desktops (controlled by policies) Zero downtime in the event of client failure The concept of desktop virtualization is gaining traction in the IT world. With an estimated 500 million business PCs installed globally, and less than five million running virtualization software in 2007, the market opportunity for desktop virtualization is immense. Meanwhile, Citrix is getting ready to launch its own desktop virtualization solution called XenDesktop. In May, Citrix plans to launch XenDesktop during its Synergy conference being held in Houston, TX. Solid ICE is available for production or other deployments priced per concurrent virtual desktop. Visit the company’s Web site to find out about volume discounts, 30-day free evaluation versions and how to purchase Solid ICE. Software Development