Thin Client Hardware Optimized for Lync 2013

Since a large percentage of VDI implementations make use of thin client hardware as an endpoint device, Microsoft has worked with some of the leading thin client manufacturers to test and validate the functionality of the Lync VDI plugin on thin client devices. Although the opportunity to test and validate endpoint devices for Lync 2013 optimization is available to any thin client OEM partner, for the initial release of the plugin, Microsoft has chosen to partner with two market leaders in this area: Dell Wyse and HP.

Both Wyse and HP have been leading manufacturers of thin client devices for several years, including units that are specifically designed to work with Microsoft and Citrix VDI environments. Wyse was recently acquired by Dell, giving Dell a significant footprint in the desktop virtualization space, which includes not only the thin client hardware portfolio, but also enterprise device management and cloud computing software.

There is a rich diversity among the thin client hardware products in the Dell Wyse and HP portfolios. For example, there are low-cost “zero client” models with no operating system, flexible thin clients that provide expansion options, and mobile thin clients that resemble laptop systems, with built-in LED screens and keyboards.

Partnering with Dell Wyse and HP results in the Lync VDI plugin being used to enable media redirection and other optimizations for VDI sessions that use Dell Wyse and HP thin clients. With certain models, the Lync VDI plugin is being combined with additional VDI optimization technologies, such as Microsoft RemoteFX, to further enhance the UC experience when these devices are used. With any of the Dell Wyse or HP thin clients that are validated for Lync 2013, any Lync-certified USB audio and video devices can be connected to the device and accessed from the VDI session, with the media being redirected locally.

For the initial testing and validation of the Lync VDI plugin with Dell Wyse hardware, the following thin client models were validated:

• Z90D7—Thin client device with dual-core AMD processor running Windows Embedded Standard 7.

• R90LE7—Thin client device with AMD Sempron processor running Windows Embedded Standard 7.

• X90m7—Mobile thin client device with dual-core AMD processor and built-in LED backlit display, running Windows Embedded Standard 7 (see Figure 27.10).

Figure 27.10. Dell Wyse X90m7 mobile thin client.

For the initial testing and validation of the Lync VDI plugin with HP hardware, the following thin client models were validated:

• t610—Thin client device offering flexible configuration options, with dual-core AMD processor running HP ThinPro, Windows 7e Embedded, or Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (see Figure 27.11).

Figure 27.11. HP t610 thin client.

• t5740e—Thin client device with Intel Atom processor running Windows Embedded Standard 7.

Additional Dell Wyse and HP thin client models are being tested and validated with the goal of providing customers with additional VDI endpoint options that are optimized for use with Lync 2013.