Highlights

IBM and Leostream™ can help optimize the workstation blade environment and virtual client solution environment with hardware and software designed for server-based computing.

The Leostream Connection Broker will help IT administrators get the most value from IBM BladeCenter HC10/CP20 Workstation Connection Device deployments with a tightly integrated hardware and software solution. The Leostream Connection Broker provides the management layer IT administrators need to centralize and consolidate IT resources in the data center, and then create, assign and deliver Hosted Desktops to end users. Hosted Desktops are complete, familiar, end-user desktop environments created, assigned and hosted from virtual machines, physical machines, Terminal Services sessions, or a combination of these back ends. Hosted Desktops can be also delivered to conventional “fat,” thin, or Web-based clients using a flexible range of authentication and viewer protocols, and supporting security systems such as SSL VPN. Hosted Desktops support:

• Policy-based access to HC10s provides a flexible, secure computing environment for end users
• Centralized administration and management of computing resources enable more efficient use of time and resources
• Improved resource utilization saves energy and software costs
• Secure, flexible, high-performance access to Hosted Desktops from the data center

Overview

The HC10 and the CP20 together with the Leostream Connection Broker, provide a workstation blade solution that delivers Windows® Hosted Desktop sessions to end users. The solution offers:

• A flexible end-user work environment—Users equipped with a CP20 are automatically connected to the correct HC10 according to policies set in the Connection Broker.
• Efficient use of hardware and software resources—Pools of HC10s can be shared among many users, helping increase resource utilization, while policy-based power control helps reduce energy costs.
• Smooth end-user experience—Users are automatically assigned and logged in to Microsoft® Windows® simply by logging into the CP20.
• Secure remote USB access—USB devices used with the CP20 are connected automatically to Windows Hosted Desktop sessions running on the HC10. USB access can be restricted according to the type of device, the location of the CP20, or user access rights.
• High availability—Connection Broker clustering helps provide high reliability and smooth responses to surges in use.
• Global scalability—HC10s can be distributed across multiple data centers with the Connection Broker directing users to the closest resource.

In addition to connecting to the HC10 workstation blade and CP20 workstation connection device, the Leostream Connection Broker can also be an integral part of virtualized client solutions (e.g. VMware’s VDI, etc.) offered from IBM. Virtualized client solutions provide a complete desktop virtualization solution, and with Leostream Connection Broker Enterprise software, this solution can be extended to create Hosted Desktops from physical servers and virtual machines as well as Terminal Services. This provides optimal flexibility when creating Hosted Desktops from mixed IT environments, which can help improve the total cost of ownership for your devices, increase security, and make systems administration and management more efficient.

Flexible, robust connection for workstation blade environment

The Leostream Connection Broker is a software-based “virtual appliance” that resides on a single server. It dynamically assigns Windows Hosted Desktop sessions to CP20 users from the HC10 workstation blade. The HC10 blade comes with a Leostream Connection Broker basic license that can be used to implement a flexible HC10 solution immediately. The Connection Broker basic license comes with the following features:

• Fixed seating—Permanently assigns an HC10 to a specific CP20
• Free seating—Assigns a specific user at any CP20 to a specific HC10
• Pooling—Assigns any HC10 from a particular group of HC10s to a user
• Location Based Assignment—Determines HC10 assignment based on user location
• Security—Locks the HC10 when a user disconnects from a session or the network connection is lost
• Remote user management—Centrally manages, logs and controls usage
• Data Security—Uses established security policies to selectively connect USB devices to Windows Hosted Desktop sessions running on the HC10
• Centralized management—Remotely updates firmware for centralized management of HC10s and CP20s
• Scriptable command line interface—Provides flexible integration with third-party systems

Integrated solution with enhanced features

The HC10 blade comes with a Leostream Connection Broker basic license that can be used to implement a flexible HC10/CP20 solution. Extended, larger-scale deployments require an upgrade to the Leostream Connection Broker Enterprise version. Upgrades can be accomplished with a simple license key change. They add the following functionality:

• Authentication server integration—Enables authentication against one or more external authentication servers such as Microsoft Active directory®, Novell eDirectory or LDAP.
• Single Sign On—Automatic login to Hosted Desktop sessions on the HC10, virtual machines or Terminal Services.
• High availability and scalability—Increased reliability through the use of additional Connection Brokers connected to the same external Microsoft SQL 2005 database. Helps provide peak load capability and high availability.
• SSL VPN support—Integrates with a wide range of hardware-based SSL VPN devices to enable access from outside the firewall.

In addition, customers can use the Leostream Connection Broker Enterprise upgrade to deploy virtual client solutions offered by IBM. Connection Broker Enterprise dynamically assigns Windows Hosted Desktop sessions to CP20 users from the HC10 blade or from virtual machines, physical machines or Terminal Services residing on IBM System x™ or blade servers.

Product features		Software summary
Free seating—Assigns a specific user of any CP20 to a specific HC10 Pooling—Assigns any HC10 from a particular group of HC10s to a user Data Security—Uses established security policies to selectively connect USB devices to Windows Hosted Desktop sessions running on the HC10 Authentication Server Integration*—Enables authentication against one or more external authentication servers such as Microsoft Active directory, Novell eDirectory and LDAP Single Sign On*—Automatic login to Hosted Desktop sessions on the HC10, virtual machines or Terminal Services		Software-based “virtual appliance” that resides on a single server Flexible end-user environment provides end-user access to an HC10 from any CP20 with external authentication Improves resource efficiency by sharing a pool of HC10s between a number of users Leverages the security and efficiency advantages of centralized data and applications Presents end users with a seamless, secure, familiar desktop environment

Leostream Connection Broker is a trademark of Leostream Corporation.

Microsoft, Active directory and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries or both.

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