Remote Desktop Services (RDS) vs Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Remote Desktop Services (RDS):

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is an important feature of Microsoft Windows Server which permits users to remotely access Windows applications and graphical desktops. It is a Microsoft version of the software that allows users to log into a computer from a remote location. In this case, the computer being used must be able to support the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to function correctly.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI):

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) refers to the hosting of a desktop OS running in a VM on a server in the virtual data center (VDC). A user has full access to the resources of the virtualized desktop. The server-hosted desktop virtualization solution approach is sometimes called a virtual desktop environment (VDE). VDI allows a user to access a remote desktop environment from an endpoint device via a remote desktop delivery protocol.

Difference between VDI and Remote Desktop:

Remote Desktop Services (RDS)	Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
1. Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a windows based client solution that enables users to take control of a remote system from different locations.	1. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a technology that is used for desktop virtualization and the creation of virtual machines.
2. RDS runs on a single server and users access it through a network connection and Remote Desktop Protocol.	2. With VDI, each user receives their own virtual server.
3. When using RDS, the desktop image you configure on the server is cloned and presented to users with all of its associated applications and data.	3. Administration is simplified with VDI, as a single master image is configured and updated.
4. In a RDS environment, physical CPU, Memory and Disk capacity can be allocated to all user.	4. In a VDI environment, physical CPU, Memory and Disk capacity can be allocated to particular user.
5. RDS cost is less than VDI.	5. VDI cost is very expensive