Category Archives: Education

Amazon Kindle Fire Running Windows 7 via Citrix VDI-in-a-Box

As a Proof of Concept, I wanted to deliver a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to a tablet based device, Kindle Fire was the ideal candidate.

I can only provide positive comments for the Kindle Fire, it does exactly what you would expect from an Amazon device. As long as you accept the limitations of the device; no Bluetooth, no GPS, no camera, no Android Marketplace, and accept that the device is incredible low priced you can only agree that this is an excellent example of what a tablet device should be.

Techradar.com reviewed the Kindle Fire here.

I have used the Citrix VDI-in-a-Box product on an old server we had available.

The server is Windows 2008R2 with the Hyper-V Role installed.

As far as the Citrix VDI-in-a-Box product is concerned, it was perfect for my needs. I had a Windows 7 Professional (VDI-in-a-Box 5.0 does not support dynamic memory so no need for Enterprise) template deployed in half a day containing all the relevant software, Office, Photoshop, Anti-Virus etc. I also included the Microsoft App-V client in the image to enable the deployment of Virtual Apps.

I then configured the Kindle Fire, installed the Citrix Receiver, connected to the VDI-in-a-Box portal address and that was basically “Job Done”

Kindle Fire - Google

Kindle Fire - Google

Kindle Fire - Win7 Start Menu

Kindle Fire - Win7 Start Menu

Kindle Fire - Close Up

Kindle Fire - Close Up

Kindle Fire
Kindle Fire

We have also tested the Citrix Receiver client on Mac OSX, Windows, Iphone and thin client, all with outstanding results.

I must admit this implementation is very exciting. The implications of a reasonably priced tablet device utilising a VDI can only make the case for BYOD stronger.

Also because of the cost involved this solution lends itself very easily to an educational environment.

Are Tablets The Future Of Education?

Working in education is always a balancing act between budget restrictions and the use of the latest technologies.
Does the future of education lie in the use of “Tablets”?

Will every student have access to their own personal mobile device? Continue Reading