California Polytechnic State U Virtualizes CAD Labs
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) has overhauled the computer labs for its aerospace and
biomedical engineering programs by implementing virtual desktops and
applications.
The computer labs were filled with aging equipment
in need of replacement. Rather than replacing the labs' 288 desktop PCs
with newer models, the IT department deployed Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop virtualization technology, as well as the Citrix NetScaler ADC application delivery controller and load balancer.
The
virtualization technology enabled the IT team to repurpose the labs'
288 desktop PCs as thin clients. The aging PCs no longer have to run
graphics-intensive computer-aided design (CAD) software locally.
Instead, the software runs on a server and students can access it
remotely through the thin-client PCs, resulting in improved
performance, according to a news release.
Citrix reported that
the university saved nearly $300,000 by repurposing rather than
replacing the PCs. The implementation also "simplified administration
and significantly reduced the amount of time spent deploying new
engineering applications," according to the company. As part of the
virtualization initiative, the IT team created a centralized data
center that is capable of supporting as many as 500 users at one time,
nearly doubling the capacity of the computer labs while improving
management and monitoring capabilities.
To support virtualized CAD software in the computer labs, the university implemented Citrix's HDX 3D Pro graphics acceleration technologies, which are designed to optimize the
virtualization of rich graphics applications. According to the company,
the technology has reduced the delays associated with rich graphic
applications, making it easier for students to collaborate on projects.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.