Understanding VOI, VDI, and NGD: A Cloud Computing Approach to Virtual OS Infrastructure and Integrated Cloud Storage

VOI (Virtual OS Infrastructure) is described as a model that delivers whole operating system images to client machines, allowing the use of local hardware resources and cost‑effective utilization of idle PCs.

VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) refers to a server hosting many virtual machines that thin clients, tablets, or phones can access via protocols such as Spice, with all compute work performed on the server and the client handling only video streaming.

NGD (Next Generation Desktop) combines the advantages of VDI and VOI along with application virtualization, creating a user‑centric solution where the same software and data follow the user across VOI and VDI devices.

The article lists several shortcomings of the two legacy approaches: VDI suffers from high product cost, insufficient graphics performance, and under‑utilized local resources; VOI lacks good mobile support, depends heavily on local hardware, and faces hardware compatibility challenges during large‑scale deployments.

To bridge these gaps, a cloud storage component is introduced as a “matchmaker.” Cloud storage consists of two parts: a cloud application layer that packages virtualized applications for client installation, and a cloud disk that appears as a local drive (e.g., D:), automatically mounting per user account and storing configuration files, installed applications, and user data.

In a practical school scenario, teachers install large software on the cloud application platform, which is then accessed via VOI devices for heavy editing tasks and via VDI devices in the library for lightweight review and editing, with all data synchronized through the cloud disk. Students follow the same pattern, using VOI for intensive work and VDI for on‑the‑go access.

The integration of cloud storage introduces new construction risks: (1) I/O bottlenecks on the storage server as many cloud disks connect to it, requiring thorough performance testing; (2) software compatibility issues on the cloud disk, necessitating adaptation for common office, communication, and browser applications.

In conclusion, the NGD concept leverages cloud storage to combine VOI and VDI, offering a high‑feasibility, low‑cost upgrade path for existing deployments by adding a storage server and performing modest upgrades, thereby simplifying user‑centered desktop virtualization.