Pano Logic Launches Pano System 3.5 with Hyper-V Support

Pano Logic added new enhancements and extended hypervisor support in its latest version of Pano System, the company said Oct. 6.

Citrix hypervisor support is on “our very near-term road map,” said Dana Loof, executive vice president of worldwide marketing at Pano Logic.

Pano System 3.5, which includes the zero-client endpoint device and all the software needed to support the device, can support both Hyper-V and VMware hypervisors, provided each is hosted in a separate server environment.

“What this means is that with our Pano System, the endpoint device no longer dictates the infrastructure decisions IT managers must make when deciding what’s best for their organizations,” said John Kish, CEO of Pano Logic.

Companies are no longer locked into short-term solutions or expensive projects where they have to overhaul existing infrastructure to move to a virtual desktop environment. With Microsoft Hyper-V support alongside VMware, Pano System 3.5 allows IT managers to choose which hypervisor to use for its desktop virtualization strategy.

The new release of the platform enables end users to build upon their prior experience with specific hardware or continue to leverage licenses they have already purchased, Pano Logic said.

Pano Logic also enhanced the VMware offering by adding support for VMware vSphere 4.1, ESX/ESXi 4.1 and vCenter Server 4.1. Enhancements include improved idle time and disconnect timeout behavior, and closer integration with vCenter Server and View Connection Server.

In addition, Pano Logic improved Pano Remote, a secure USB drive that enables end users to access their desktop virtual machines using any computer with an Internet connection. Users with multiple virtual desktops can select the specific virtual machine to access via Pano Remote.

“Pano System 3.5 delivers on the promise of cloud computing by removing the endpoint device from the equation, while paving the way for a PC-like end-user experience,” said Kish.

Organizations can roll zero-client deployments where all the processing power and storage is in the data center and the end user has thin clients that have no “moving parts,” said Loof.

“The endpoint has no security hole, no firmware, no processing power, no operating system and no storage,” she said.

With Pano System 3.5, the IT manager can swap the supporting hypervisor from VMware to Hyper-V and continue using the same device and desktop virtualization software. Even if the changes include new hardware, new licenses or new application add-ons, they are all transparent to the end user, simplifying virtual desktop management. There is also no need to buy new devices or push out updates to each endpoint, said Loof.

IT managers can make changes on the back end, whether it’s upgrading the storage or rolling out new software to users, without having to buy new devices for the users or pushing out updates to each desk.

The company uses Pano Direct, the “secret sauce” according to Loof, to virtually stretch the I/O connection over the network. This allows the desktop virtual machine to deliver a native Windows desktop, Loof said.

The Pano System includes the Pano Manager, a virtual machine manager and connection broker, the unique Pano zero client device, and Pano Direct, which provides the connection to completely centralized virtual desktops. The system starts at $319 per seat and is also available in a preconfigured, preloaded all-in 50-user suite, Pano Express. Pano Express features VMware vSphere Essentials, Microsoft Windows 7/XP licenses, and Hewlett-Packard server and storage hardware

A starter kit is available with all the required software and licenses, and five devices, said Loof.