Hosted Virtual Desktop

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What Does Hosted Virtual Desktop Mean?

A hosted virtual desktop (HVD) is a user interface that connects to data and applications which are stored on a cloud service provider’s servers, rather than on an end user’s computer or a corporate network.

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A HVD is also known as a cloud-hosted virtual desktop.

Techopedia Explains Hosted Virtual Desktop

A HVD is considered a thick-client user environment. The end user does not notice any difference in experience while using an HVD, versus a traditional (local) desktop environment. A HVD provides many advantages over traditional desktop strategies, especially continuity, flexibility and agility, which are crucial to today’s IT-driven world.

HVD advantages are as follows:

  • Service provider is responsible for data storage, upgrades, security and backup
  • Provides significant benefit to the mobile workforce, especially in the area of accessibility. All resources can access their desktops from any location with the help of the Internet.
  • Service providers can deliver higher availability, redundancy and optimized power.
  • Additional features, like remote replication for protecting data
  • Multiple device support
  • More easily available business continuity
  • Cost savings, with respect to the hardware used like desktops and operating expenses
  • Provides the most flexibility and agility for a business environment
  • HVD disadvantages are as follows:

  • Inability to prioritize Desktop as a Service (DaaS) traffic while using the public Internet may impact overall system performance.
  • Visibility and control issues
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    Margaret Rouse
    Technology Expert
    Margaret Rouse
    Technology Expert

    Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.