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Xtreaming Technology releases VHD CMS Professional 1.0 of its diskless OS-streaming product

Written on Jul 31 2008

Filed under: Virtualization, VDI

6,645 views, 55 comments

by Ruben Spruijt

Xtreaming Technology Inc. is a new US-invested start-up company working out of Shanghai, China investing in building diskless related products. Their Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) product uses OS-streaming and allows any PC to boot up a full version of Windows XP or Vista from across a network and run it locally. Last weeks I spend some time investigating their solution, the technology seems to be promissing. I just want to share the information with the community.

We’ve seen the technology of VHDsoft before with Ardence (later acquired by Citrix) but VHD seems to be a more advanced diskless system. VHD wants to turn your Office diskless and uses a login so that a unique virtual hard disk follows each user to any workstation. The system also delivers a menu when the PCs start up so that users can choose which virtual hard disk to boot. Further VHD features include:

Hardware isolation tools so that PCs with different chipsets and cards can boot from a single image.
Works with third party DCHP programs so that the system can run across several different LANs (or even the Internet!)
VHDs can be set to Persistent (retains users saved data) or Refreshed (every boot provides a fresh Windows environment
Storage format uses .vhd which means you can use Virtual PC or VMware to edit disk images.
Concurrent Disk access between multiple disk servers s that even if one disk server fails the PCs can continue to be used.
Use Windows Server 2008 as an IO server
concurrent client sessions seems to be higher than with Citrix Provisioning Server
.VHD as the file format
RAID1 for harddisks
Account based access
Streaming over the Internet
..

For me it seems that the solution is focused on rich-clients. I really think this type of solution is also a must have for every VDI environment! That's why Citrix XenDesktop 2.0 together with Citrix Provisioning server is better together!

The VHDsoft solution isn't released yet, the CMS professional edition will be available at the end of this months. When you want to work/play with their beta please send Matthew an email, refer to this article and he will be happy to provide the Beta code.

After my vacation I'll spend additional time on this great product and post some more technical information!

Comments

Guest wrote What about the other guy?

on Thu, Jul 31 2008 6:40 PM

I use daily the HP Image manager product (or is itstill named Neoware Image Manager ?) with hundredth of clients and it rocks!

I am really surprised that no one ever mention it.

It used to be the only competitor to Citrix PN Server (Ardence in the past), but has very little coverage. Is it because they seem to focus on desktops and not on servers ?

Guest wrote Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Thu, Jul 31 2008 8:32 PM

1. VHD is a Microsoft format. It is not open source. The name will probably be defended.

2. The Xtreaming website actually looks like Citrix's website.

3. The feature set reads similar to what Citrix presented at Synergy for PS.

4. I am leary of any technology that can stream an OS over the internet without some type of boot agent and disclaimer that you must have a fast pipe.

=-=-=-=-

Yes, Neoware Image Manager is a great thin-client technology:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/18964-18964-3644431-3645987-3645986-3646231.html

Ormond Merino wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Thu, Jul 31 2008 8:42 PM

Wow..You're not kidding about their site being a citrix.com clone.

Guest wrote Fake

on Fri, Aug 1 2008 7:43 AM

This is a complete fake. I tried to download the "betas" and they just loop back to the same page. The only link that works on the site is:

http://www.vhdsoft.com/templates/downloads/solutions.pdf

There US location is Delaware... original.

All their marketing terminology was stolen from Ardence/PVS.

PVS is release their 5.0 soon and funny how they do VHD streaming. Being a China based company, I would venture to guess it is a PVS 5.0 knock off!

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Fri, Aug 1 2008 9:08 AM

Ahh...... but at the BriForum 2008, VMWare mentioned the reason why they never got VDI trademarked, was because you can't trademark an acronym. SO if this holds water thenI'm not sure if Microsoft can go after them for stealing their name

Shawn Bass wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Fri, Aug 1 2008 5:57 PM

OMG that website is a ripoff. VHDSoft should get out of the OS streaming business and get in the website cloning business.

Guest wrote Email user doesnt exist.

on Sat, Aug 2 2008 6:06 PM

Hi Ruben,

Matthews email doesnt seem to be a goer. The mail server reports no such user :-(

Guest wrote Re: Email user doesnt exist.

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 2:00 AM

matthew@vhdsoft.com.cn

Guest wrote China - go figure

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 9:56 AM

Well since China doesn't recognize our copyright, trademark, and patent laws I guess we shouldn't be suprised by this. At the end of the day, the proof will be in the product - when, if, it's released.

Rudy Bauer wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 11:18 AM

Pretty bold statements here. Quote from the FAQ page:

"Is it a suitable replacement for Citrix?

Yes. The VHD system is a more powerful, cheaper and more friendly alternative to Citrix products."

Guest wrote "After my vacation I'll spend additional time on this great product ..!"

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 12:49 PM

So you've actually installed this 'thing'?

Shanetech wrote Re: Email user doesnt exist.

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 1:14 PM

site seems to be down as well...

Guest wrote Demo

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 2:22 PM

Anybody received the beta already??

Guest wrote Re: Email user doesnt exist.

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 3:50 PM

Thanks for .cn tip.... another email sent.

Guest wrote Maybe....

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 4:28 PM

...they copied Ruben as well. And the person posting this is actually his clone...

Guest wrote Obviously, you guys are retarded

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 4:29 PM

Do you guys suffer from Amnesia or something? Isn't this just another 'Luflogix' manoeuver from Ruben Spruijt, possibly in collaboration with Brian?

Once again, you've been had!

Guest wrote Proof

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 4:51 PM

I have attempted to download, email and get in touch and nada! What ticks me off is this was posted based off reading the site. There is no real proof this actually exists besides a PDF and a wedsite. Common Ruben!

This is a complete fake company!

Guest wrote Re: Obviously, you guys are retarded

on Mon, Aug 4 2008 9:45 PM

Is it the 1st of April again already? I guess you missed the point on that one...

Nico van Meurs wrote PVS 5.0

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 2:41 AM

If this would be some sort of promotional stunt for Provisioning Server 5.0, then why isn't this the featureset for PVS 5.0??
I'm missing features like Role Based Administration, MMC console, Provisioning of W2K8.

But it shure is suspicious.....

Nico van Meurs wrote Chinese Awnsering Machine

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 2:50 AM

I just called the phone number mentioned on the website, but I get this chinese chick telling me something after which the connection is broken...
Anybody that understands Chinese??
This is the phonenumber: +86-21-61405698-605

Guest wrote Virtual Hard Disk

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 2:52 AM

Dear Community, Thanks for your interest in the Virtual Hard Disk Technology. This is an advanced and original design system that takes diskless OS-streaming to the next level. It has better management tools and setup than both PV5 and Neoware and has some unique features. Our single designer worked extremely hard with our limited budget to code a professional website design and any resemblance to Citrix is purely superficial. Some of the anonymous comments are insensitive and a company locating its R&D team in China does not make it a “fake company”. The beta is not available to the public on the website currently, but as stated in the article is available by email request. I welcome you to try the software yourself and experience the power of VHD diskless system! The article uses an incorrect email address; please email matthew@vhdsoft.com.cn for a software request or with further questions. Thank you. Yours,Matthew S. FelgateSales Representativehttp://ww.vhdsoft.com

Guest wrote Re: Virtual Hard Disk

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 5:07 AM

"Our single designer worked extremely hard with our limited budget to code a professional website design and any resemblance to Citrix is purely superficial" Are you sure? The resemblence to the CITRIX website is too good to be true.

Guest wrote 100% Knock Off

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 7:33 AM

I would agree this is a knock off of the citrix.com website

Guest wrote Get real

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 10:59 AM

You need to understand that if you wish to be treated lke a professional systems developer you should act like one.

Making a business decision to locate R&D in China is, to me, a perfectly sensible decision. However; ripping off a competitor's web site design does not create a positive impression, nor does creating a site with questionable content and non-functioning links. Regardless of the quality of your product, you are creating problems for yourself by following this path.

Guest wrote Virtual Hard Disk

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 9:30 PM

Guest wrote Re: PVS 5.0

on Tue, Aug 5 2008 10:38 PM

I am being lazy and not logging in... I can reassure you this is not a promotional stunt!

Pete Downing

Guest wrote a joke

on Wed, Aug 6 2008 2:16 PM

check when this vhdsoft.com domian is registered...

created 5-7-2008

owner: tucows inc.

this must be a joke ;)

Guest wrote Re: a joke

on Wed, Aug 6 2008 10:21 PM

tucows is the registrar.. not the owner.

A few years ago when provisioning server was Ardence, i was doing alot of research on OS streaming. And there was a company in Tawiwan doing OS streaming. I belive that this company was acquired or is Xtreaming Technology.

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Thu, Aug 7 2008 8:32 AM

funny, now citrix needs to go back to the red colour!!!

Guest wrote Re: a joke

on Thu, Aug 7 2008 8:59 AM

Actually, your wrong. That company was a hack of the Ardence technology as well. This practive is quite common in that part of the world. That is the risk of doing business in Asia Pacific. I am not saying that VHDSoft is a hack of rip off of Ardence/Provisioning Server, however, it is weird that their site looks and feels like Citrix. This Matthew fella gave me the same responses he gave here. Anyway...

Guest wrote Re: a joke

on Thu, Aug 7 2008 4:03 PM

So your ran the product back then? How can you say its a hack? I think someone needs to get their hands on the latest code and run it up.

Guest wrote Virtual Hard Disk

on Mon, Aug 11 2008 2:03 AM

Dear "Matthew",

The next time your doorbell rings, be sure to not open the door. It's probably the Citrix' lawyers.

Nico van Meurs wrote It's real

on Tue, Aug 12 2008 7:11 AM

The Product is real guys. It's downloadable from the website since yesterday.

Guest wrote Installed but not booting

on Wed, Aug 13 2008 4:32 AM

Fairly complex if you don't have a administrative manual. With the quick manual I got I didn't manage to boot the clients from the server. The software installation had some issues regarding the services being installed at first. I don't see a big comparison to Provisioning Server yet. If there is, it's not as obvious as the website ;-)

Jurjen van Leeuwen

Guest wrote Ehhhh...

on Wed, Aug 13 2008 12:59 PM

Got it installed and could not get it working. Based on what I can see it is a poor attempted of iSCSI boot with VHD.

Console hard to understand.

Could not get client working.

Still in Alpha as well.

Overall not impressed.

Mike Cardinal wrote Try ThinLaunch Sofwtare's Thin Desktop

on Fri, Aug 15 2008 3:08 PM

Hey Gang -

Go to www.thinlaunch.com and download Thin Desktop - Easy to intsall and use ....and it works

Try

Guest wrote Virtual Hard Disk

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 8:30 PM

This is an original deisgn product that is more advanced than Citrix'. I think it will be Citrix that are worried about the power and quality of VHD; but thanks for your concern.

Guest wrote VHD

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 8:37 PM

The product is available on their website now:

Server: http://www.vhdsoft.com.cn/download/products/professional/setup.exe

Client: http://www.vhdsoft.com.cn/download/products/client/client.exe

Guest wrote VHD

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 9:07 PM

Did you actually read the article before you started storming?:

>The VHDsoft solution isn't released yet, the CMS professional edition will be available at the end of this months. When you want to work/play with their beta please send Matthew an email, refer

Terminology is similar to Ardence/PVS because the technology is similar!

This is a new and original product that has taken nothing from PV5 so I demand you take that accusation back.

Guest wrote Re: Installed but not booting

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 9:12 PM

Is there anything specific it can't do that PS can?

Guest wrote thinlaunch is terrible, buggy software

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 9:21 PM

That's thin desktops not a full desktops? Pointless spam.

Guest wrote Get real

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 9:30 PM

>The VHDsoft solution isn't released yet, the CMS professional edition will be available at the end of this month. When you want to work/play with their beta please send Matthew an email - matthew@vhdsoft.com.cn, refer to this article and he will be happy to provide the Beta code.

If you read the article - why do you go to the website to try and download the software?!

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Mon, Aug 18 2008 9:47 PM

Despite the website similarities, it's an interesting new product. I've been testing it out the last few days and it really looks quite good.

Guest wrote Re: Ehhhh...

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:08 PM

What didn't work?

The console looks pretty similar to PV5 really.

VHD doesn't support iSCSI boot yet.

Guest wrote Re: China - go figure

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:11 PM

Microsoft, IBM, HP etc all have operations in China.

It seems the product is out now so give it a try.

Guest wrote Looks good

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:13 PM

I installed the program yesterday and it was a success first time If further testing goes well this week I am thinking of using this to replace my current Citrix setup.

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:15 PM

Give them a break - they probably don't have a big marketing budget like Citrix to spend on building a website. Their product on the other hand looks more advanced than Provisiong for Dekstops in some ways!

Guest wrote Re: Email user doesnt exist.

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:18 PM

Site seems up for everyone else. Just downloaded the betas from the download secion of their website. It does seem to resemble the Citrix website! Installation had no problems but I will wait till next week to get some machines to test the software out on. With PV5 can I use my own DCHP server? This is a requirement of the setup I am looking at.

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 8:20 PM

How much does Citrix cost per user?Citrix products do tend to be quite expensive so this company could be able to offer a cheaper system.

Guest wrote Re: Looks good

on Tue, Aug 19 2008 11:53 PM

You're willing to consider replacing Provisioning Server with a piece of beta code from a company with no resellers, and no support infrastructure.

Well good luck with that.

Guest wrote Virtual Hard Disk

on Wed, Aug 20 2008 12:01 AM

thanks Matthew

As you seem to becoming such a prolific poster on the site, why don't you get yourself your own sign-on it will save you having to type in all those numbers everytime you post anything.

Guest wrote Re: Cheap Rip-off on many levels

on Wed, Aug 20 2008 12:03 AM

Is that you again matthew?

RCB wrote re: Xtreaming Technology releases VHD CMS Professional 1.0 of its diskless OS-streaming product

on Wed, Oct 29 2008 11:00 PM

I have a question... Has anyone tried this out now???? I am trying to figure out, if CITRIX can do a master image or vDISK over sever types of devices like AMD and INTEL, etc.

If VHD CMS can do one master image over several devices then I think this is a winner.

As for I am also looking for a client that I can just boot to a PXE and have whatever master image on my network and boot up on any device, (notebook with intel or amd, or Desktop amd or intel, w/ differ brands).

Thanks for the feed back...

cillian wrote re: Xtreaming Technology releases VHD CMS Professional 1.0 of its diskless OS-streaming product

on Wed, Jun 3 2009 2:06 AM

Hi ,sir

We are a diskless software company, have the VHD CMS Professional/Enterprise Edition 2009,（diskless software） which are a high performance diskless software, also it works far more better than any other diskless software, even than Citrix PVS. It also have a enterprise version, which is account based management , very suitable for Enterprise. the main function is that user can login on different PC but having it's own virtual hard disk from network. Also the professional edition is very suitable for Internet cafe and educational market.

The most attractive point is that is a high spec software, Support Win7 already, let your investment safe. We also support client OS, including Windows XP/2003/Vista/2008/Win7 32/64bit , also all the linux distribution 32/64.

It's a good chance for you to dominate the IT market demand. Please contact with me too.

My number:+86-15195935131 . skype: Cillian33 E-mail: Cillian@vhdsoft.com.cn

Regards

Cillian

bjornan wrote re: Xtreaming Technology releases VHD CMS Professional 1.0 of its diskless OS-streaming product

on Thu, Apr 14 2011 7:57 AM

Any news about this company and their products?

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Xtreaming Technology releases VHD CMS Professional 1.0 of its diskless OS-streaming product

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"Is it a suitable replacement for Citrix?