Terminal Server: The Problems with Search on Virtual Desktops like Citrix, VMware and Others
In this article, you will learn why Windows and Outlook search often fails in virtual desktop environments and what you can do about it. To discuss the problem, it is important to understand how terminal servers work in the first place. If you already have prior knowledge on this topic, feel free to scroll directly to the chapter: “Lookeen Search on Virtual Desktops”.
What is a Terminal Server and How Does It Work?
A terminal server stores your data centrally on a specific server or host. Thanks to this functional principle, companies can centrally host their applications, programs, and data via a terminal server. The location or platform of the end device plays no role in this. This means that employees of a company can access and work with the company’s data via the terminal server, regardless of their location. Applications and programs on a terminal server only need to be installed once. Constant reinstallation or the purchase of various expensive licenses for different end devices is thus unnecessary.
The Problems with Windows Search on Virtual Desktops
Anyone working with a terminal server has a virtual desktop in front of them. The amount of data on a virtual desktop can be enormous. Therefore, a search engine that works on virtual desktops can certainly make searching for files and file contents easier. However, many search engines, such as the Microsoft® search function, are completely overwhelmed by virtual desktop environments like VMware, Citrix, and others. They often cause problems or simply do not work. The same applies to Outlook search in virtual desktop environments: emails and other data are either not found at all or only after a long wait time.
Furthermore, Windows and Outlook search cannot reliably index your data in VDIs. As a result, important files are often missing because they are not present in the search index of classic Microsoft search engines.
Lookeen provides a solution, as it reliably indexes your data even in VDI environments and outputs the results you need. The small Lookeen toolbar in Outlook is all you need. Complex searches on your Windows desktop are also possible with it, and a variety of filtering options narrow down your results so that you find exactly what you’re looking for.
You will learn which VDI systems exist and which search engine you can easily use for virtual desktop environments in the next chapter.
The Lookeen Search on Virtual Desktops
The Lookeen search engine can be quickly integrated into any terminal server system and supports PST archives, Exchange servers, and public folders. Furthermore, Lookeen works on all Windows operating systems. You can install Lookeen on your host system and work efficiently with it on any client system. Through group policies, Lookeen can be easily used on Citrix, VMware, and terminal servers.
With Lookeen, you get results for your VDI search in seconds. This saves you a lot of time, which can only have a positive impact on your workflow. Furthermore, the cumbersome sorting and filing of information becomes unnecessary. This allows you to focus again on your core tasks. After a quick installation and indexing of your data, Lookeen is a real asset for searching in virtual desktop environments from the very first minute.
Lookeen and VMware
VMware is a U.S. technology company that has been offering virtual desktop environments since its founding in 1998. VDI systems like VMware are often an overwhelming collection of data that is partly completely unstructured. Here, thanks to centralized indexing, Lookeen offers desktop search at record speed. Both organizing data and the wait time for results with VMware are eliminated with Lookeen – allowing you to use your time more effectively than by sorting and structuring folders and files.The professional search software Lookeen significantly enhances your search in VDIs such as VMware. It works efficiently and quickly while being extremely easy to use. Since data protection is highly prioritized, all indexed information is not sent to external servers, but remains on the corporate server.
Lookeen and Citrix
Citrix is a US-based software company founded in 1989. The company offers Citrix Virtual Desktops as a VDI solution. This provides complete virtual desktops across various operating systems.
Lookeen is the perfect desktop search for any company that works with Citrix. The award-winning search tool keeps all indexed data centralized within the company, meaning: index data is not sent to external servers, because the security of your data comes first!
I hope this article has helped you find an optimal search solution for virtual desktops and terminal servers.
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