Choosing the Right Storage Solution for Your VDI Setup

Transitioning to a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) requires more than just installing software—it involves thoughtful planning, especially when it comes to storage. Selecting the right type of storage and accurately determining how much you’ll need are both essential to building a high-performing and scalable environment.

Here’s a practical guide to help you make informed decisions about storage for your VDI deployment.

Estimating Your Storage Requirements

Before you can pick a storage solution, you need to understand how your users consume resources. The best way to do this is by analyzing real usage data from the workstations you plan to virtualize. Start collecting this information early to ensure your storage estimates are based on solid data rather than guesswork.

One of the most important metrics to track is input/output operations per second (IOPS). Different user roles generate different IOPS demands. For example, employees who handle data-intensive tasks typically generate higher IOPS, averaging around 22 but potentially reaching 59 or more. Users performing routine or task-based work tend to have lower IOPS needs.

However, planning around average usage isn’t enough. Your VDI system must be built to withstand peak demand if you want it to perform reliably. That means planning for spikes—not just day-to-day use—so the user experience doesn’t suffer during busy periods. Storage capacity alone won’t guarantee smooth performance; speed and responsiveness matter just as much.

Selecting the Right Drive Technology

Once you know what your storage performance needs look like, it’s time to evaluate which type of drive best suits your environment.

A Fiber Channel (FC) SAN is one of the more advanced options. It offers strong security and excellent performance, primarily because it operates in a dedicated network environment. This isolation minimizes potential bottlenecks or interference from other systems.

However, this option comes at a cost—both in terms of money and expertise. Managing a fiber channel setup typically requires a highly skilled administrator, making it less ideal for businesses with limited in-house IT resources.

If budget or technical complexity is a concern, more affordable alternatives such as iSCSI or NAS (via NFS) may be suitable. While these options generally offer lower throughput compared to fiber channel, their performance can be improved by implementing faster network connections, like 10Gb Ethernet. Still, that upgrade carries its own costs.

To further enhance storage responsiveness, consider integrating cache or accelerator technologies, which can help reduce latency and boost performance without requiring a complete infrastructure overhaul.

Planning for Long-Term Growth

Choosing a storage solution for your VDI isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about preparing for the future. As your organization expands, user demands will likely increase. That means your storage environment must be able to scale without requiring a complete redesign.

By focusing on flexibility and performance today, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and complications down the road. A well-planned VDI storage system won’t just support your current operations—it will grow with your business and help you maintain efficiency as your user base evolves.