.. title: Get started with OpenGnsys VDI
.. slug: vdi
.. date: 2020-05-27 10:34:00 UTC+02:00
.. tags: opengnsys, desktop, virtualization, VDI
.. category:
.. link:
.. description:
.. type: text

What is OpenGnsys VDI?
======================

`OpenGnsys VDI`_ is a hypervisor OS to virtualize desktop environments
for the `OpenGnsys`_ ecosystem.

`OpenGnsys VDI`_ simplifies OS image tailoring and saves time to system
administrators who only need to *build one image* for your desktop computer
*and run it everywhere!*.

`OpenGnsys VDI`_ features are:

* Native integration with `OpenGnsys` (since 1.2.0).
* Simplified OS image tailoring.
* Remote access to desktops through VNC.

OpenGnsys VDI features
======================

`OpenGnsys`_ allows you to manage and deploy Operating System (OS) images
over bare metal computers. Starting `OpenGnsys`_ 1.2.0, you can also use it to
deploy OS images over a virtual machine to virtualize your desktop computer.

This comes with seveval benefits:

* Simplify image OS tailoring by standarizing the underlying desktop hardware
  configuration. This is particularly useful if you have to deal with
  heterogenous desktop hardware.

* Remote access to you desktop through VNC.

OpenGnsys VDI requirements
==========================

You have to install `OpenGnsys`_ to run `OpenGnsys VDI`.

`OpenGnsys VDI` integrates seamlessly into an existing `OpenGnsys`_ installation.

OpenGnsys VDI concepts
======================

`OpenGnsys VDI` simplifies Operating System (OS) image management and deployment through virtualization.

.. raw:: html
    :file: images/VDI-Hierarchy.svg

* The `host computer` is your regular bare metal desktop computer.
* OpenGnsys VDI provides an hypervisor OS, which runs your desktop OS on top of a Virtual Machine (VM).
* `OgClient`_ is the client service that receives commands from the
  `OgServer`_ to remote control on your desktop computers and to perform
  administrative and maintainance commands to your desktop computers. `OgServer`_
  provides a REST API which is used by `OgCLI`_ and the web front-end to send
  administrative commands to the desktop computers.
* The desktop `guest OS` is your end user desktop OS, such as Microsoft Windows(R)
  or any Linux distribution of your choice.

Download OpenGnsys VDI ISO
==========================

`OpenGnsys VDI` provides the OS image that virtualizes your desktop computer.
`OpenGnsys VDI` works both with the `OpenGnsys Enterprise` and community
editions.

.. raw:: html

   <a href="20211103-opengnsys-vdi-snapshot.iso" class="btn btn-primary">Download OpenGnsys VDI snapshot image (2021-Nov-03)</a>

sha256sum: 6a7c146cf863ec7f965aa898c3dcfa37a63d8c86dbdbfe9102b14c096dbd6c86

.. raw:: html

   <a href="ogvdi-guide.pdf" class="btn btn-secondary">Download VDI installation manual</a>

How to install it
=================

OpenGnsys VDI is simple and easy if you already have an OpenGnsys deployment
in your network.

.. raw:: html
    :file: images/VDI-install.svg

In a nutshell:

* `Download`_ the `OpenGnsys VDI` image, burn it a USB stick and boot from it.
  Then, install it on a bare metal desktop computer.
* Once you have installed `OpenGnsys VDI`, you can generate an OS image for your
  collection of `OpenGnsys`_ OS images and restore through `OgLive`.
* `OpenGnsys VDI` provides an easy-to-use control plane to install your `guest OS`.

For more details, please check the user guide available at the `Download`_ section.

Can we help you?
================

We, together with the wonderful `OpenGnsys`_ community, are constantly
improving and adding new features so feel free get in touch with us at
`opengnsys@soleta.eu` if you find a bug or if you have a feature request :)

.. _OpenGnsys: https://opengnsys.soleta.eu/download
.. _Download: /download
.. _ogClient: https://github.com/opengnsys/ogClient
.. _ogServer: https://github.com/opengnsys/ogServer
.. _ogCLI: https://github.com/opengnsys/ogCLI
.. _Soleta Networks: https://www.soleta.eu/en/
.. _OpenGnsys Enterprise: /download
.. _OpenGnsys VDI: /vdi