HDX Bandwidth: Optimization Starter Kit

11:42 AM
HDX Bandwidth: Optimization Starter Kit -

XenDesktop Bandwidth: The complete set

Part 1 - Prologue: Methodology and Infrastructure

Part 2 - by the Numbers: Take the time to optimize

Part 3 - Bringing it All Together: average daily users and general recommendations

Part 4 - What XenApp is

part 5 - Do It Yourself - Starter Kit

part 7 Who needs a part 6 when discussing XenDesktop 7.x [1945004(andXenApp75!)]

Analysis customer Bonus!
Bonus HDX 3D Pro

Part 5: Do It Yourself: Starter Kit

In my last post, I compare the bandwidth requirements for XenApp and XenDesktop. In previous posts, I discussed the importance of network related optimizations and also provided reference numbers to help you get started with your own WAN deployments. In this post, I will share the optimizations that I used during my bandwidth test.

The following sections refer to an attachment detailing the policies and registry changes that I used during my test. This accessory is available for download via Citrix ShareFile - Here

Edit the Registry

Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For added protection, back up the registry before you edit it. See more about backing up and editing the registry here.

Recap Policy

When planning a WAN deployment, it is generally preferable to have a separate policy optimized WANs. By separating the WAN policy based on Citrix strategy, LAN users can enjoy a completely free desktop. To learn more about setting Citrix policies refer to the political section of the Citrix Virtual Desktop Manual.

In the essay mentioned above, two Citrix WAN policies were created for each of the optimized configurations. The first policy was created as a basic policy to reduce WAN bandwidth consumption without significantly impacting the user experience. The second policy was created to maximize the bandwidth savings regardless of the user experience. The main differences between the two policies are summarized below.

Policy Optimized

  • maximum decrease of frames per second to 15 (default is 24)
  • additional Enable color Compression
  • animation Disable
  • Disable Wallpaper
  • Disable Show window contents while dragging

Max Optimized Policy

  • Reduce maximum frames per second to 10
  • Lossy compression level: Low
  • minimum Image quality: Low
  • compression Heavyweight: Enabled
  • audio quality: Low
  • Disable all redirection (printers, disks, ports, USB, TWAIN)
  • maximum allowed color depth: 16 bits per pixel

complete list of Citrix policies is available for download via the link ShareFile at the beginning of this blog.

Furthermore, policies default Login VSI were applied as described in the documentation Login VSI to help ensure that the workload successfully completed script.

visual parameters

visual parameters for the office can be set through a graphical user interface located in the Advanced system settings "" dialog. These settings control the look and feel of a Windows desktop, including animations, shadows and font smoothing. Some of these effects require additional bandwidth HDX and are barely noticeable to users when disabled.

There are many ways to control these settings, but they can become difficult to apply depending on the type of profile and an image delivery solution chosen. For example, these settings can be changed in the registry by updating the HKCU or HKLM hive. On leaving, I changed all the settings using Group Policy Preferences (GPP) to the HKCU hive. However, when starting the machine for the first time, all parameters entered into force because some required a reboot after they were changed. Since I was testing with a local profile and a joint office for consistency, a restart is not possible. By changing the default values ​​HKLM I am able to overcome this challenge and all the changes took effect on the first connection.

Another way to make these changes is to call a Microsoft MVP and ask for a script that can do this without any profile or image type. Fortunately Martin Zugec here Citrix was able to help and created such a script. The script, which works via PowerShell can change the visual settings to the application without requiring a reboot or a preexisting profile

Note :. These scripts are provided as is and are not supported by Citrix or myself in any way. Use them at your own risk. They have not been tested for performance and may or may not have an effect during the logon peaks. You must test before deployment if you plan to use them.

The registry keys for both HKCU and HKLM and scripts, and a description can be downloaded via the link ShareFile at the beginning of this blog.

Application Specific Settings

optimization of the operating system can save bandwidth for all users, but the optimization of specific applications can have a significant effect and , especially when this application is widely used. An example of this is Adobe Reader. When setting specific optimizations as described in this article, as well as changes in the operating system, the use of bandwidth has dropped nearly 70%. Other changes made to our tests included changes to Microsoft Office applications such as removing startup screens. All registry and policy changes of the group can be downloaded via the link at the beginning of ShareFile blog.

Note that custom applications that are not optimized for virtualization can be particularly bandwidth intensive and should be tested before deployment, especially if they will be delivered over the WAN. Small changes to the application user interface can make a big difference in performance over the WAN and a developer can create a lively GUI to soothe the eyes, but at the same time also create a headache for virtualization team.

client side settings

There are some client-side changes that I recommend to help reduce the bandwidth requirements over WAN connections. These optimizations change the speed Citrix Receiver updates the position of the mouse and keyboard, respectively. I recommend increasing the mouse timer to 30ms and 50ms and keyboard to test to make sure that users can not notice it. For graphic artists, designers, change the mouse timer can not be recommended because it may affect the ability to draw (circles for painting can not be perfectly curved for example). These settings can be changed by Group Policy, with a customized installation package, or through a file launch.ica customized. If the endpoints are joined area, I recommend testing the GP as a first step.

Neither change was implemented during testing Login VSI because keyboard and mouse clicks are not actually transferred over the network because of the test nature script, but they can reduce so significant number of packets from the side of the extended network network. In a deployment scenario, these parameters will reduce the number of packets that the end point must send over the WAN which can help with high latency connections and low bandwidth allowing faster processing acknowledgments endpoints. Discounted packages sent by the customer will also correspond to a reduced use of bandwidth on the client side on the WAN.

Next Time

Stay tuned for my latest post in the series where I will discuss XenDesktop 7 and the many changes that come with such related band pass.

Thanks for reading,

Amit Ben-Chanoch
Worldwide Consulting
Desktop Team & Applications
Accelerator Project
Manual Virtual Desktop
Follow @CTXConsulting

Previous
Next Post »
0 Komentar