Hosting Desktop Applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Thinfinity Workspace

Hosting Desktop Applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Thinfinity Workspace

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Hernán Costa

Solution Engineer

Hosting Desktop Applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Thinfinity Workspace

Introduction

Cloud-based solutions are transforming how businesses manage and deliver desktop applications. Hosting your applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Thinfinity Workspace provides unmatched flexibility, scalability, and security. By leveraging key protocols such as Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) and VirtualUI-enabled applications, alongside advanced features like application pooling and autoscaling, Thinfinity Workspace helps organizations streamline operations and optimize performance.

Additionally, Thinfinity Workspace enables businesses to consolidate both legacy and new applications into a single, unified platform, creating a robust ecosystem for application delivery on GCP.

Why Host Desktop Applications on GCP?

Google Cloud Platform offers a reliable and scalable infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for hosting desktop applications. Thinfinity Workspace enhances this by integrating advanced application delivery features, ensuring seamless accessibility and optimized resource management.

Key Benefits of Hosting on GCP

  • Global Accessibility: GCP’s worldwide data center network ensures low-latency access for users anywhere.
  • Cost Optimization: Pay-as-you-go pricing allows businesses to scale efficiently without unnecessary expenses.
  • Robust Security: With built-in identity and access management (IAM) and encryption, GCP offers enterprise-grade protection.

Protocols for Delivering Applications on GCP

1. Remote Desktop Connection (RDC)

Thinfinity Workspace supports RDC, enabling secure delivery of desktop environments and applications directly through a browser. This eliminates the need for complex installations while maintaining the full functionality of a desktop experience.

2. VirtualUI-Enabled Applications

For legacy applications that need to be web-enabled, Thinfinity Workspace provides seamless support through VirtualUI. This protocol allows older Windows applications to run in a browser, modernizing their delivery without redevelopment.
By utilizing both RDC and VirtualUI, organizations can serve a wide range of user needs while preserving application functionality and performance.

Advanced Features: Application Pooling and Autoscaling

Application Pooling

Thinfinity Workspace optimizes resource usage by enabling application pooling, which groups multiple instances of an application for shared use.

  • Improved Resource Allocation: Dynamically distribute resources to high-demand applications.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduce hardware and operational overhead by pooling resources effectively.

Autoscaling on GCP

GCP’s autoscaling capabilities are seamlessly integrated with Thinfinity Workspace, allowing businesses to:

  • Handle Variable Workloads: Automatically scale up resources during peak usage and down during off-peak times.
  • Ensure Consistent Performance: Maintain smooth user experiences, even under heavy load.
  • Minimize Costs: Reduce unnecessary resource allocation during low-demand periods.
Thinfinity Workspace: Optimize resources with application pooling and GCP autoscaling for dynamic workloads, cost efficiency, and performance

Consolidating Legacy and New Applications on GCP

One of the most significant challenges businesses face is managing a mix of legacy and modern applications. Thinfinity Workspace solves this problem by enabling the consolidation of both types of applications on GCP into an integrated ecosystem.

Advantages of Consolidation

  • Unified Access: Deliver legacy and cloud-native applications through a single, secure platform.
  • Streamlined Management: Reduce complexity by managing all applications within one environment.
  • Future-Proof Infrastructure: Modernize legacy applications incrementally while leveraging the scalability of GCP.

This integrated approach ensures businesses can optimize their IT infrastructure while meeting both current and future demands.

IDP Brokering and ZTNA Gateway for SaaS Applications

Thinfinity Workspace also acts as an identity provider (IDP) broker and ZTNA gateway, enabling secure and seamless access to SaaS applications.

Key Benefits:

  • Centralized Authentication: Integrates with existing identity providers (e.g., Azure AD, Okta) to manage user access across SaaS platforms.
  • Granular Access Control: Define role-based permissions to ensure secure and appropriate access to SaaS applications.
  • ZTNA Gateway: Enforce Zero Trust principles for SaaS access, ensuring all connections are authenticated, encrypted, and continuously monitored.

This feature enhances productivity by providing secure, single-sign-on access to SaaS applications through a unified Thinfinity Workspace platform.

 
Thinfinity Workspace: Centralized authentication, granular access control, and ZTNA gateway for secure, seamless SaaS application access

Getting Started: Prepare Your GCP Server

To host your desktop applications on GCP with Thinfinity Workspace, the first step is preparing your GCP server. Setting up your GCP virtual machine (VM) correctly ensures a smooth deployment and optimal performance.

Steps to Prepare Your GCP Server

1. Create a GCP VM:

  • Log in to your Google Cloud Console and create a new VM instance.
  • Choose the appropriate machine type and configure the operating system for your application.

2. Configure Firewall Settings:

  • Open ports for HTTP, HTTPS, and RDP to ensure secure access.

3. Install Thinfinity Workspace:

  • Access the VM via Remote Desktop (RDP) and download Thinfinity Workspace.
  • Follow the installation instructions to complete the setup.

For a detailed guide on preparing your GCP server, refer to our step-by-step tutorial:

This guide covers everything from VM creation to Thinfinity Workspace installation, ensuring your GCP environment is ready to host desktop applications.

Why Thinfinity Workspace is the Ideal Solution for GCP

By combining Thinfinity Workspace with Google Cloud Platform, businesses unlock powerful capabilities for hosting and delivering desktop applications.

Key Advantages

  • Protocol Versatility: Support for RDC and VirtualUI to cater to diverse application needs.
  • Resource Optimization: Advanced features like application pooling and autoscaling ensure efficient resource use.
  • Integrated Ecosystem: Consolidate legacy and modern applications in a unified platform.
  • Global Reach: Deliver seamless experiences to users worldwide through GCP’s extensive infrastructure.

Conclusion

Hosting desktop applications on GCP with Thinfinity Workspace is a strategic move for businesses seeking a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient solution. From leveraging RDC and VirtualUI protocols to consolidating applications in an integrated ecosystem, Thinfinity Workspace ensures your IT infrastructure is future-ready.

Ready to transform your application delivery strategy? Get started with Thinfinity Workspace on GCP today!

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Have any questions?

Book a call today to learn more about how Thinfinity® can help your organization. We are always available to guide you and provide the best solution based on your specific needs.

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