Services
Open-Source Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (OSVDI)
OSVDI is being developed to provide remote access to bioimage analysis workstations. The idea is to allow users to connect to dedicated analysis computers over a network rather than relying solely on the hardware available on their own devices. This service is intended to help imaging facilities make analysis resources more accessible and support the shared use of workstation infrastructure. OSVDI is currently in a testing phase, and we are exploring potential applications together with the community. If you would like to learn more or try the test instance, please contact our Help Desk.
What is Open-Source VDI?
VDI solutions provide complete remote desktop representation in virtualization or cloud to be accessed over a network connection. OSVDI provides a full stack virtualization of (powerful) imaging workstations running a wide range of desktop operating systems and applications.
VDIs provide infrastructure and tools that provide researchers remote access to centralized hard- and software setups via virtual desktops with similar user experience to the local workstation and the known software environment. The desktop environment is identical to the traditional workstation. Even very high resolution displays are possible in case of appropriate network connection.
All VDI/DaaS solutions avoid the necessity for you as a user to actually come to the office to work on specialized hardware but rather handle and analyse data through remote access. Compared to traditional desktop computer environments VDIs are centralized, virtualised and scalable cloud-like infrastructures with faster data access and better access control. OSVDI allows more efficient hardware and software usage with a lower environmental footprint.
When should I use BAND/BARD and when should I use OSVDI?
With BAND/BARD, you launch a configurable computing environment where you can select resources such as CPU cores and memory according to your needs. A predefined software stack is available, and if additional software is required, its installation must typically be requested from the platform administrators. Data is usually accessed over the network from external storage systems, so performance depends on the available network bandwidth.
With OSVDI, you remotely access an existing workstation located within your imaging facility. While the hardware configuration is fixed, the environment behaves much like a local desktop computer and may allow the installation of additional software, depending on local policies. Because the workstation is closely connected to the facility’s storage infrastructure, access to large imaging datasets is often significantly faster than through BAND or BARD.
In summary: Use BAND/BARD when you need a configurable computing environment, and use OSVDI when fast access to facility-hosted data and a workstation-like user experience are more important.
How can you test the OSVDI demo instance?
We support the development and maintenance of OSVDI at the University of Freiburg. Reach out to our Help Desk for more details and support or try out the demo instance.