REMOTE ACCESS
SOLUTIONS
Why and How
March 2015

Allow Allow DC headquarters staff work remotely

Allow access to IT resources from anywhere and using any device


What type of users school plans to support?

Work from home

Remote branches

Work from anywhere – field agents
Factors to generally consider for Business Managers

Better IT Agility: Flexible Solution for rapidly changing IT environment

BYOD: Empowering employees to choose their own devices

Collaboration

Work from anywhere

Document Access and Application Access

How Many?

Business Provided Laptops to take home?
WHY – DEFINE BUSINESS
REQUIREMENTS

Network Bandwidth

Client Side/School Staff network bandwidth

Server Side/Headquarters network bandwidth

Security

Desktop Hardware Lifecycle

Desktop Management
WHY – DEFINE IT REQUIREMENTS

Desktop Virtualization


Citrix, VDI and Remote Desktop Web Interface and others
Virtual Private Network

Cisco, Juniper VPN and others
HOW – THE SOLUTIONS

Virtual Desktops

Thin Client

Processing Power and Storage on the Servers

Advantages


Create and update virtual desktop images within minutes

Extend life of older workstations (underpowered) using server resources

Secure remote access

Access Multiple Virtual Desktops from single physical workstation

Documents stored on virtual desktop guest (host server).

Same desktop view irrespective of client device.
Disadvantages

Centralization means less customization

Multimedia applications impacted – no video virtualization

Single Point of failure – If host server fails everyone is affected

Monday Morning Syndrome – Large number of users logging in at the same item. Slow performance.

License per desktop – Additional Cost
DESKTOP VIRTUALIZATION – WHAT IS
IT?
VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK – WHAT IS
IT?

Extended Network

Thick Client

Processing and Storage on Local Desktops/Devices

Advantages


Highly customized desktop.

Use local resources – printers and monitors

Offline access to files since local storage is used

Access network drives locally

Existing Cisco devices in school infrastructure – No additional cost
Disadvantages


Network security risk if not properly configured

ACLs

Firewalls
Large files (documents) – slower
VPN - CONTINUED