Virtualized GPU speeds cloud computing graphics

Nvidia reveals the Nvidia VGX platform that includes the Nvidia VGX boards, the Nvidia GPU Hypervisor and Nvidia USMs. Using the platform, IT departments can deliver a virtualized desktop with the graphics and GPU computing performance of a PC or workstation to employees using any connected device.

With the Nvidia VGX platform in the datacenter, employees can now access a true cloud PC from any device—thin client, laptop, tablet or smart phone—regardless of its OS, and enjoy a responsive experience for the full spectrum of applications previously only available on an office PC.

Nvidia VGX enables knowledge workers for the first time to access a GPU-accelerated desktop similar to a traditional local PC. The platform's manageability options and ultra-low latency remote display capabilities extend this convenience to those using 3D design and simulation tools, which had previously been too intensive for a virtualized desktop.

Integrating the VGX platform into the corporate network also enables enterprise IT departments to address the complex challenges of "BYOD"—employees bringing their own computing device to work. It delivers a remote desktop to these devices, providing users the same access they have on their desktop terminal. At the same time, it helps reduce overall IT spend, improve data security and minimize datacenter complexity.

Technology breakthroughs
The Nvidia VGX Board is designed for hosting large numbers of users in an energy-efficient way. Configured with four GPUs and 16GB of memory, it fits into industry-standard PCIe interface in servers.

The Nvidia VGX GPU Hypervisor is a software layer that integrates into commercial hypervisors, such as the Citrix XenServer, enabling virtualization of the GPU.

Nvidia User Selectable Machines (USMs) is a manageability option that allows enterprises to configure the graphics capabilities delivered to individual users in the network, based on their demands. Capabilities range from true PC experiences available with the Nvidia standard USM to enhanced professional 3D design and engineering experiences with Nvidia Quadro or Nvidia NVS GPUs.

The Nvidia VGX platform enables up to 100 users to be served from a single server powered by one VGX board, dramatically improving user density on a single server compared with traditional virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions. It sharply reduces such issues as latency, sluggish interaction and limited application support, all of which are associated with traditional VDI solutions.

With the Nvidia VGX platform, IT departments can serve every user in the organization—from knowledge workers to designers—-with true PC-like interactive desktops and applications.

The Nvidia VGX platform, including new Nvidia VGX boards, the Nvidia GPU Hypervisor and Nvidia USMs, is planned to be available for deployment across the enterprise through Nvidia's hardware OEM and VDI partners later this year.