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Community Blog What Is DaaS

What Is DaaS

Desktop as a service (DaaS) is also called virtual desktop or hosted desktop services.

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Definition

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a cloud computing service. Service providers can use it to provide virtual desktops to end-users via the Internet and grant licenses on a per-user basis.

For those small businesses that realize that creating their virtual desktop infrastructure is too costly or consumes too many resources, the provider will be responsible for back-end management. This management usually includes maintenance, backup, update, and data storage. The cloud service provider can also manage desktop security and applications. Alternatively, these service aspects can also be managed individually by the user. There are two types of desktops available in DaaS, namely persistent desktops and non-persistent desktops.

  • Persistent desktop: Users can customize and save the desktop so that the appearance of the desktop is the same every time a specific user logs in. Compared with non-persistent desktops, persistent desktops require more storage space, which makes them more expensive.
  • Non-persistent desktops: Every time a user logs out, the system will clear non-persistent desktops. They are just a way to access shared cloud services.

Cloud service providers allow customers to choose from the two, allow workers with specific needs to access persistent desktops, and provide temporary workers with access to non-persistent desktops. Cloud desktop is a new model that replaces traditional computers. Users no longer need to purchase a computer host. All the hardware contained in the host can be virtualized in the server. Cloud desktop not only supports traditional PCs but also supports smart devices such as mobile phones and tablets. It is one of the latest solutions for the mobile office.

Advantages of Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Compared with the traditional desktop model, the advantages of Desktop as a Service (DaaS) are more obvious. Deploying or de-authorizing effective end-users through DaaS is much faster and cheaper.

  • Deploy or deauthorize effective end-users faster: the desktop is already configured, and it only needs to connect to a new device. For seasonal businesses that always experience peaks and troughs in demand or the number of employees, DaaS can save a lot of time and money.
  • Reduced downtime to provide IT support: With Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and cloud desktops, companies can also provide employees with remote IT support, thereby reducing downtime.
  • Cost savings: Devices running DaaS require much less computing power than traditional desktops or laptops, so they are cheaper and use less power.
  • Improved device flexibility: DaaS can run on various types of operating systems and devices. This can support the following trends, users use their equipment to work, and transfer the burden of supporting desktops on all these equipment to cloud computing service providers.
  • Improved security: Data is stored in the data center using DaaS, so the security risk is greatly reduced. If the laptop or mobile device is stolen, simply disconnect it from the service. There is no data on the stolen device. Therefore, the risk of a thief accessing sensitive data is minimal. Besides, it is easier to install security patches and updates in a DaaS environment because all desktops can be updated at the same time from a remote location.

How Desktop as a Service (DaaS) works

Using Desktop as a Service (DaaS), cloud service providers host infrastructure, network resources, and storage in a cloud environment, and transfer cloud desktops (virtual desktops) to user devices. Users can access desktop data and applications through a Web browser or other software. Enterprises can purchase any number of virtual desktops on-demand through the subscription model.

Desktop applications are streamed from a centralized server over the Internet, so graphics-intensive applications have been difficult to use with DaaS. Now the new technologies have changed this, and even applications such as computer-aided design (CAD) that require a lot of computer power to display quickly can now be easily run on DaaS. When the workload on a server is too high, IT administrators can migrate the running virtual machine from one physical server to another within a few seconds, so that graphics-accelerated or GPU-accelerated applications can run uninterruptedly. GPU-accelerated desktop as a service (GPU-DaaS) is suitable for any industry that requires 3D modeling, high-end graphics, simulation, or video production. Engineering design, broadcasting, and construction industries can all benefit from this technology.

DaaS and VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) enables enterprises to remotely host desktop operating systems on endpoint devices through centralized servers.
All data is stored in data center servers, and endpoints are just a way for users to access this type of data through the Internet. VDI requires expensive investments in the network, storage, and computing infrastructure of the data center. Besides, it also requires an IT team that is good at setting up and managing virtual infrastructure. Using the "Desktop as a Service (DaaS)" model, the cloud service provider will bear the cost of infrastructure setup and management. Compared with setting up a new virtual desktop infrastructure internally, this can significantly reduce the cost of DaaS, depending on the number of end-users served and the subscription price.

Companies with a large number of users can save money through Daas or VDI because the endpoint device does not require much computing power (most of the processing is done in the data center). However, providing services to a large number of users requires a large number of IT staff to deal with all the problems that arise. DaaS support companies have more streamlined IT staff, because the deployment work, connection issues, and other problems encountered by end-users are handled by the DaaS vendor.

Why choose Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Compared with the traditional model, the advantages of DaaS include simpler management, higher flexibility, and lower cost of ownership. Companies that aim to provide remote working options and personal device flexibility can use DaaS to quickly and easily create digital workspaces. Users can log in to virtual desktops from anywhere through many different types of devices, and their desktops look the same as when they last visited from other locations. They only need to be able to connect to the Internet. The data is located in a centralized remote location, so it can be backed up from time to time, and users do not need to manage the backups themselves, nor do they need to worry about data on computers in the office (rather than at home).

The views expressed herein are for reference only and don't necessarily represent the official views of Alibaba Cloud.

Related Blog

What Is Cloud Desktop

Cloud Desktop is a cross-platform application that can be accessed through a thin client or any other device connected to the network. Compared with the traditional PC, the large main box has been replaced with some small boxes. It is a cloud terminal, and the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and network cable can be plugged into the cloud terminal.

Related Product

Elastic Desktop Service

EDS enables quick and convenient creation and deployment as well as centralized management and O&M for desktop environments. You can quickly create a secure, high-performance, and cost-efficient cloud desktop without making large hardware investments upfront.
EDS is widely applied in fields such as finance, design, video, and education that have high requirements for secure data management and control and high-performance computing.

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