HP goes virtual with cloud-based Z Workstation family

HP DL380z can serve up to eight remote users with workstation-class graphics

HP has extended its Z Workstation family with a new solution that delivers access via a virtual desktop route to workstation applications hosted in the data centre.

Set to be available from June, the HP DL380z Virtual Workstation enables organisations to provide remote access to workstation-class applications, even those calling for heavy-duty graphics, which allows them to keep data stored securely in the data centre wherever employees might be based.

As its name suggests, the HP DL380z is based on the same hardware as HP's ProLiant DL380p server, a 2U rack-mount two-socket system based on Intel's Xeon E5-2600 processors, which allows it to slot right into existing data centre infrastructure.

Where the HP DL380z differs is that it can be configured with up to two Nvidia Grid K2 graphics cards supporting the graphics firm's Grid GPU virtualisation technology. This enables up to eight users to be hosted on each system, each with access to a virtual machine with GPU acceleration capabilities.

"For employees who work from A to B and everywhere in between, the HP DL380z allows them to access data that is securely stored in the data centre. Furthermore, the powerful HP DL380z is an always-on workhorse that can be used by businesses when not in use for virtual workstation sessions," said Jeff Groudan, Worldwide Director for HP Thin Client and Virtual Workstations, writing on the firm's Converged Infrastructure blog.

Remote access is delivered either by operating Citrix's XenServer with its HDX 3D Pro technology, which the HP DL380z is certified for, or by utilising HP's own Remote Graphics Software (RGS). The latest HP RGS release 7 adds the ability to have true workstation productivity from a tablet while bringing intuitive touch controls to non-touch applications, according to HP.

Either way, customers can provide engineers or other professional users with access to workstation-class applications from a variety of devices, including thin clients, laptops or tablets.

Pricing for the HP DL380z has yet to be confirmed, HP said.

HP is not the only enterprise vendor in this sector; last year, Dell told V3 that it was developing its own "workstation as a service" cloud computing offering.

However, HP has a long pedigree in this area, offering remote workstation solutions to customers such as stock market traders in London's financial markets as far back as 2006.