VMware, Sun's Ray team partner on VDI

I was so enmeshed in the XenDesktop happenings at Citrix Synergy last week that I paid little notice to virtualization market leader VMware, which made some significant VDI-related announcements of it own.

As Citrix's XenDesktop team announced deals with thin client makers HP and Wyse, VMware announced a pact with Sun Microsystems that features the co-marketing and support of a joint solution combining VMware's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Sun's Ray software and virtual display clients.

As part of the deal, Sun  will provide frontline support and direct sales of the joint solutions. Additionally, a specialized network of joint Sun and VMware partners will sell the solution directly, VMware announced on May 20. VMware also announced a thin client certification program for its VDI software. Chip PC, Computer Lab International (CLI), Devon IT, Fujitsu, HP, IGEL, NEC, Pano Logic, Praim, Sun and Wyse are among the thin client vendors planning to certify their thin clients as part of the VMware program.

VMware claims that Sun's Appliance Link Protocol (ALP) outperforms other display protocols when delivering virtual desktops. Wyse claims to have a developed a superior remote graphics protocol for its new line of thin clients, while HP also committed to developing a more advanced protocol.

Meanwhile, VMware also announced a suite of new professional services to help customers deploy virtual desktops uisng its VDI technology, a decision that likely met with disfavor within VMware's extensive partner network.  Care to share?