ClearCube controls IBM virtual desktop system

IBM's recently announced scheme for running virtual PCs from blade servers gains ClearCube management tools

IBM offers virtualised PCs

IBM is to offer a new version of its PC consolidation system, which will combine management tools and access devices from ClearCube Technology with IBM BladeCenter servers hosting virtual Windows client systems.

IBM first unveiled its Virtualised Hosted Client Infrastructure (VHCI) system last month. The initial version replaced desktop PCs with virtual machines running on Blade- Center servers, accessed via Citrix Presentation Server. IBM said this could cut costs by up to 60 percent.

Today the firm will announce an alternative configuration using ClearCube’s Grid Center, Control Center and Blade Manager tools to manage virtualmachines and users. The move is expected to appeal to a wider range of enterprises.

“IBM’s original [VHCI] announcement was focused on Citrix customers, and most firms don’t have Citrix,” said Raj Shah, chief strategist at ClearCube. “Our software also has a graphical interface, so is much simpler to use. It has to be, as it will often be in the hands of helpdesk staff rather than engineers.”

The IBM/ClearCube system will first target branch offices in the banking industry, Shah said. Pilot deployments are already underway.