The FBI is going virtual with one of the largest thin-client deployments in federal government history.
The agency announced a $28 million contract with Dell on Oct. 7 to deploy a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) for 55,000 users.
Implementing VDI at the FBI will allow employees to access their desktops from any computer, as well as giving the bureau more control over security and application management. The solution also allows the bureau to scale out to more users as demand grows without having to purchase more services or rearchitect its systems.
"With this addition, the FBI will be able to better empower its field agents and administrators, as well as dramatically expand its operations across its global footprint," according to Dell. "The addition of these hyperconverged appliances offers FBI users the opportunity to reduce the number of elements managed in the IT environment, increase overall savings and decrease time-to-value. The infrastructure also enables users to securely access agency data and applications at any time across any device."
The deal represents Dell's largest hyperconverged solution contract to-date, according to the company.
The system is built on Nutanix software, along with cybersecurity software from Dell Networking and Dell AppAssure.
SEE ALSO: Download a free whitepaper to learn how open hybrid clouds ensure data and app portability.
Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.
