14 DAY TRIAL // With the first upgrade for Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft introduced a new feature designed for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure scenarios.
Dubbed RemoteFX, the feature is already available to those making the jump to Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 was released to manufacturing two weeks ago, and became available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers last week.
Now Microsoft is offering the RemoteFX for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure: Architectural Overview and the RemoteFX for Session Virtualization: Architectural Overview via the Download Center.
According to the company, the RemoteFX for VDI white paper: “provides an architectural overview of RemoteFX in the context of VDI by using a new role service called Remote Desktop Virtualization Host designed specifically for VDI, using Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 in a Hyper-V role.”
Similarly, the RemoteFX for Session resource offers “an architectural overview of RemoteFX in the context of session virtualization by using a new Windows Server role service known as Remote Desktop Session Host, designed specifically for modern session virtualization environments that use Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.”
Developers and IT professionals with MSDN and TechNet subscriptions can already download Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM and leverage RemoteFX.
However, general availability of the service pack is not that far off in the distance. Microsoft is ready to start serving Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM to all users tomorrow, February 22nd, 2011.
“Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes a new set of user experience technologies called Microsoft RemoteFX.
“RemoteFX adds new capabilities to the Remote Desktop Services platform by delivering full-fidelity VDI and high-density, scalable, client-agnostic session virtualization capabilities, shifting delivery intelligence to host-based systems running RemoteFX.
“Through a new graphics payload purposely built for RemoteFX and RDP, the session virtualization platform is tightly integrated with the RDP protocol, which enables shared encryption, authentication, management, and local device support,” the company added.