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Userful™ Multiplatform Desktop Virtualization Software11.04.2014

SUMMARY:

Introduction

Userful Multiplatform desktop virtualization software creates a browser-managed virtualization appliance that makes it simple and affordable for any organization to deploy and maintain high-performance virtual desktops.

Userful's approach to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) differs from traditional VDI solutions in four key areas, that combined create a lower-cost, higher-performance and far simpler virtualization solution than others available on the market.

1. Userful replaces the complex multi-server data center found in traditional solutions with a simple, scalable browser-managed appliance. Deploy one or several appliances to accommodate installations of varied sizes. 2.Userfulusessimplifiedclienthardwaredevices,suchastheViewSonicSC-U25, that have no operating system or moving parts (and so are less likely to fail). Theseclientsmaximizeperformance,improvesecurityandsignificantlyreduce endpoint costs. 3. Userful uses easily customizable containers to deliver virtual desktops, a concept borrowed from server virtualization to deliver “just enough virtualization” at each endpoint,significantlyincreasingperformanceandflexibility. 4. By bundling hardware and software together with a simple but powerful browser- based VDI setup, Userful has made VDI management easy and simple by reducing management complexity, a key barrier to traditional VDI adoption.

Server Appliance and SC-U25 Value VDI Client Setup

UserfulMultiplatformdesktopvirtualizationsoftwareinstallsfromasingleCDontoabaremetalx8664-bitPCorserver.UserfulrecommendsanIntelCore® i7 system or better. TheinstallincludesabaseOperatingSystem(CentOS)andhypervisor(VirtualBox)forvirtualdesktopsaswellasenduserapplications(Browser,officesuite,productivitytools, and one-click easy install of thousands of free software applications for a range ofbusiness,educationalandotheruses).EquippingthePCorserverwithasolid-statedriver(SSD)canachieveevenfasterperformanceforamodestadditionalhardwarecost.

This Technical Brief will summarize the installation and set up of Userful™ Multiplatform desktop virtualization software. It will examine each of the four areas where the Userful solution is different, and discuss the impact these differences have on virtual desktop delivery and management, endpoint performance, and ROI.

The hypervisor (Oracle® Virtual Box) supports a broad range of virtual machine guests including Windows® 7 and Windows 8.

Clientdevicesareconnectedtotheserversimplybyplugging them into the Local Area Network (LAN). All clients must be on the same subnet as the server and gigabit switches are recommended for all connections. Newly added client devices automatically discover the server within the LAN. If the installation includes multiple servers, administrators can easily move zero client devices betweenserversforloadbalancingandconfiguretheSC-U25clientdevicestoautomaticallyswitchtoasecondaryserver in the event of an unlikely and unexpected server failure. Each client device has audio in and out ports, four USBports,apoweradapterandagigabitLANport.TwoUSBportsareusedforthekeyboardandmouseandtwoUSBportsareleftfreeforlocaluse.Monitorresolutionscan be centrally set and managed and different desktops can have different monitor resolutions

Once installed, users can immediately begin work usinganyofthepreconfiguredprofiles(suchasclouddesktop, signage player, Linux® desktop, browser kiosk). Alternatively, the administrator can upload a Windows 7 orWindows8virtualmachine(VM)usinganOVAfileforusewithanyofthedesktops.IftheadministratordoesnotalreadyhaveanOVAfileoftheirdesireddesktop,theycaneasilyusetheirlaptopordesktopPCandwindowsinstallmediatocreateanOVAfileusingthecross-platformOracleVirtualBoxsoftware(whichinstalls easily on Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms).

For recommended specs and install notes, please see the Appendix.

"Userful has made VDI management easy and simple by reducing management complexity"

Image 1 This diagram illustrates setup with multiple switches. For best performance when using multiple switches, minimize the number of switches between clients and server.

Local Virtualization with a Browser-managed Appliance

Much of the complexity of traditional virtualization comes from its use of data centers and server farms. A typical VDI deployment leverages many different servers. A typical VDI includes:

• Computerserversrunningtheselectedhypervisor • SANstorageservers • A protocol (RDP or HDX) • A virtualization management platform • Connectionbrokers • Clientdevices • Load balancers

Integrating all of the expensive components of a traditional VDI infrastructure is a lengthy and complex process. Userful replaces all of the components and integration requirements with an all-in-one, scalable appliance approach.

Additionally, operating over the wide area network (WAN), as most traditional VDI solutions do, depends on the speed and reliability of the WAN, adds complexity for set up and maintenance, and can create performance lags and reliability issues for end users. While it allows administrators to support deployments with anytime, anywhere desktops forcustomerswithfixedinfrastructures(whodon'tneedtoaccesswindowsdesktopsfroma mobile device or alternate locations), the data-center / server farm approach to VDI adds unnecessary complexity and costs that often make VDI an impractical solution.

Foranyfixedinfrastructuredesktopdeployments,Userful’sapproachofusingalocalserver appliance is more cost effective, easier to manage, and will result in higher performance. While traditional VDI can be deployed on a local server rather than hosted on a server farm, the traditional VDI solutions are designed to operate over a WAN. Because of the complexities that result, performance will still be limited and the support overhead will be high.

Userful Multiplatform, on the other hand, was designed to run from a local server appliance. The architecture is optimized for use within the LAN which results in simpler set-up, reduced management overhead, and increased performance at each endpoint

True Value VDI Clients

UserfulMultiplatformworkswithsimplifiedhardwaredevices,suchastheViewSonic® SC-U25ValueVDIclient,asopposedtomoreexpensivetraditionalthinclients.

By using Value VDI clients which have no processor, no memory, no operating system, all of the processing is handled on the server, with the clients essentially acting as networkgraphicscards,soundcards,andUSBhubsincommunicationwiththeserveroverthelocalnetwork.Theresultisthattheseclientsarebetween25%and50%lessexpensive than conventional thin clients. Because they have fewer components, these clientdevicesalsohavelongerlifespansthattypicallylastupto10yearsormoreand

have lower failure rates. In combination with the performance-optimized Userful server software, value VDI clients provide two to three times the multimedia performance of a conventional thin client.

With Userful Multiplatform, the server talks directly to the graphics adapter rather than compressing and decompressing everything through an intermediary protocol such asRDPorHDX.Thisdirectconnectionmeanssignificantlylowerlatencyandbetterperformance.Asinglecorei7pccanplayindependent720pvideossimultaneouslyon20desktops* with Userful Multiplatform. It can reach this kind of performance because there is no intermediary layer, each of the clients is really just a video card and the server is doing all the processing.

Containers Deliver Virtual Desktops

Userful delivers virtual desktops using containers, similar to a concept that has been adoptedinservervirtualization.Userfulemployscontainerstoefficientlyisolatetheoperatingsystemand/orapplicationfunctionalityinordertodelivertheOSandfunctionalitythattheenduserneedsandtherebyensureamoreefficient,cost-effectiveandflexibleVDIonlyusingfullvirtualmachineswhererequired.

Instead of offering a full virtual machine, operating system and all, to every desktop (which is the approach used by traditional VDI solutions), the container approach allowsadministratorseasiercustomization,moreflexibility,andhigherperformance.The administrator can quickly setup and customize containers using the browser-based controlcenterandmakemultiplecontainersavailableateachendpoint.Someofthesecontainers may offer a full virtual machine (e.g., with the Windows Operating system) while other containers may have a lighter load delivering just a kiosk desktop, signage player,achrome-basedcloud-clientdesktop,orapre-configuredLinuxdesktop.

By using a full virtual machine only when needed, the system operates at maximum efficiency.Italsoincreasesflexibilityasitallowsthesameservertosupportnon-

Image 2 This image illustrates the extra layer needed to encode/decode the remote protocols that traditional VDI solutions use to transfer data across the network. Even if the VDI server isplacedinsidetheLAN,becauseit’ssetuptooperatefromtheWAN,alldataisstillencoded then decoded.

Image 3 ViewSonic®SC-U25ValueVDIClient

traditional use cases such as digital signage and touch screens which would ordinarily be cost and performance prohibitive with traditional VDI. Administrators can create containers for specificusecasesliketheseandensurehighperformancebyminimizing overhead in each of these containers.

Use of containers also improves ROI. Most VDI solutions limit operating system options by only delivering Microsoft Windows®. The annual Microsoft VDA licensing costs are currently one of the highest costs for virtual desktops. By using containers, administrators can offer Microsoft Windows desktopstothosewhorequirethem,andalightermoreefficientsolutiontothosewhodonotrequireit.Savingonbothserverand licensing costs while helping transition users to the cloud, and also giving users a lighter, simpler, and faster desktop experience.

Browser Management Simplifies Setup and Support

TheUserfulControlCenterisabrowser-basedapplicationthatallows administrators to set up, manage, and control the virtual desktops on the network. It is a drag-and drop-simple interface that can be accessed over the LAN with or without an Internet connection.Itcanalsobeaccessedremotelyusingfirewallportforwarding.

As illustrated in Image 4, administrators use any browser to access the control center which is the interface for managing virtualization containers which are used to deliver desktops to the end points.

Once the administrator sets up the correct plugins intheUserfulControlCenter,theadministratorcan deploy any of those desktops to any endpoint connected to that server. The administrator can also create an optional welcome screen that gives theendusersachoiceofprofilestologinto(forexample a user could walk up to a station that offeredachoiceofeitheraWindows7desktoporaChrome-basedClouddesktop).

AsillustratedinImage5,theUserfulControlCenterallowsadministratorstomapdifferentscreenstousedifferentprofilesallowingascenariowhereoneserverappliance can support a mix of users, some on Microsoft Windows, others using Chrome-basedclouddesktops,whilestillotherscreensaremappedtodisplaydigitalsignage or for kiosk or touch screen use.

Image 4 ThisdiagramillustratingUserfulMultiplaform’sarchitectureshowstheserver appliance supports multiple containers to deliver a variety of desktops to each end point.

Image 5 ThisscreenshotoftheUserfulControlCenterScreenshowsmultiplescreens,eachofwhichcan be assigned to a different desktop type with drag-and-drop ease.

Virtual Machine Container for Use with Windows VDISettingupaWindowsVirtualMachineiseasywithUserful.Theincludedhypervisoris Oracle's open source Virtual Box. Because it is free to download, administrators candownloadittoanyPCandusethatPCtocreatethegoldenmasterimage.Alltheadministratorneedstodoisuploadan*.OVAfiletotheUserfulControlCenterandthen that Windows Image can be used on any endpoint connected to that server. If any updates are needed, the Administrator makes the changes only in the Golden Master and re-uploads it.

Virtual machines can be set as locked clones which always return to their original image once reset, which will eliminate tampering and keep all desktops identical throughout the life of the deployment. For those who do not want static desktops, clones can also be unlocked.

Userful’sapproachtovirtualizingWindowsallowsforavarietyofapproachestolicensingincludingVDAlicenses(recurring)andDisklessCOA(onetimelicense).Therearealsoother Microsoft licensing agreements that include Virtualization rights.

Microsoft licensing is the responsibility of the end user. Userful does not manage, police or enforce Microsoft Windows licensing but encourages customers to ensure compliance with all software licensing requirements.

Web Browser Session Container • Firefox:launchesspecifiedURLinFirefoxwebbrowser. • Chrome:launchesspecifiedURLinGoogleChrome. • Chrome:Kiosk:launchesthedesiredURLinafull-screenmode,ontoeverystation mapped to that session container, without any control tab or menu. User navigation is limited to hyperlinks on the HTML pages served. • Chrome:CloudSession:launchesaccounts.google.comasthedefaultURLand user can open the desired URL through new tab in full-screen mode.

Other ContainersCloudDesktopallowsadministratorstolauncha"light-weight"Chrome-basedenvironment, a locked-down desktop experience with no start menu, but still allows administratorstomakelocalapplications(e.g.officesuite)availabletoendusers.This

“Userful Multiplatform works with simplified hardware devices, such as the ViewSonic® SC-U25 Value VDI client, as opposed to more expensive traditional thin clients.”

minimal graphical interface will allow users to access fewer applications.

SignagePlayerallowsadministratorstolaunchmultiplemediafiles(videos)onacontinuousloopusingthebuilt-insignage player.

Appendix Recommended Server SpecificationsAs with stand-alone desktops, the user experience in a VDI environment depends on several factors:

• ThespeedandpoweroftheCPU • The available system memory (RAM) • The demands made upon the system by the operating system and applications • The speed and capacity of network connections and hardware

Withvirtualization,thesefactorsinfluencethemaximumusercapacityofagivensystemconfiguration.ThefollowingaretherecommendedsystemrequirementsforUserful™Multiplatform.

Optimizing for Performance of Virtual MachinesTheBIOSofthehostPCmustbeconfiguredtoenablethehardwarevirtualizationCPUsetting.Thoughnotrequired,performancewillbebetterwithasolid-statedrive(SDD).Inparticular,itisrecommendedtostoretheVMimagesonSSD.

Ensurethatsufficientsystemresources,especiallyRAM,isavailableforallcloneddesktops. For optimal setup it is generally recommended that administrators should doubletheminimumRAMtoallowforextracapacity(duetofailoverorgrowth)orifit’santicipatedthatusersmayperformmemoryintensivetasksonthehostPC.

Data StorageActive Directory can be integrated into Windows virtual machines running on Userful Multiplatform.ThoughitispossibletoconfigurebothVMsandthenativedesktopcontainers to save to the appliance hard drive, it is strongly recommended instead that thatalluserdatabestoredeitherintheCloud(e.g.,GoogleDrive,Dropbox,etc.)oronaNAS.Thiswayitcanbothbeeasilybackedup,orifdesired,accessedremotelyorfrom

Image 6 ThisscreenshotofaChrome-basedCloudClientdesktopshowsthelockeddowndesktop with a full screen browser that also includes a tray at the bottom of the screen (circled). This gives users access to locally installedapplications.UsingtheControlCenter,administratorscanchoosewhichlocally installed applications are available and which are not.

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*This performance is based on the native containers (cloud desktop, signage, browser kiosk, etc.). When using a full Windows virtual machine, an extra layer is added which hinders performance and reduces the number of videos users can play simultaneously.

Userful is a trademark of Userful Corporation. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright © 2014, ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved. [17344-00C-08/14]

For more information, please contact a ViewSonic representative at (888) 881-8781 or visit www.ViewSonic.com

other devices.

Userful Multiplatform also supports shared storage to allow users to temporarily store and easilytransferandaccessfilesbetweendifferentstationsandacrossdifferentcontainers.SharedstoragesystemishousedandmanagedonthehostPCwhereuserscancopyandtemporarilystoretheircontent(fromlaptops,mobiledevices,orPCs).TheControlCenterprovidesvariousconfigurationsettingsandoptionalpasswordprotectionfeature.Sharedstorageisnotautomaticallybackedup.

It is possible to install Userful Multiplatform on servers with hardware RAID or to manually configuresoftwareRAIDduringtheinstallprocess,butagain,itissuggestedthattheUserful appliance be treated as a replaceable appliance and that critical data be stored onaNAS.ThisapproachmakesreplacingorupgradingtheUserfulappliancesorthegoldenmasterVMssimpleandworryfree,andalltheuserdataandcriticalfilesarestored in a single easily backed-up location.

ClonedVMscanbeboundtoanActiveDirectorydomain.

Failover for High AvailabilityFailoverrequirestwohostPCstobelocatedonthesamesubnet;ifthatisthecase,thenifonehostPCfails,asystemadministratorcanviewand"takeover"theSC-U25clientdevicesthatwereassignedtothe"failed"hostPC.PleaserefertoManagingNetworkZeroClient/Failoverfordetailinformation.

Other Configuration Notes • Even when using networked client stations, it is important to keep one station connected to the onboard video card in order to see startup messages. • SC-U25clientdevicesmustbeonthesamesubnetasthehostPCtofunction. • Userfulrecommendsdeployingnomorethan30stationsonagivensubnet. • UsingCat-5enetworkcable,connecteachdevicetoagigabit-capableswitch (or router, depending on network setup). • AgoodqualityrouterisneededtoactasaDHCPservertogiveIPaddressesto the networked client devices, unless using a static IP address for each device.

Support Website

For detailed setup instructions, or to access the User Guide and additional support manuals, visit http://support.userful.com