DVS Simplified. Reference Architecture for. VDI-in-a-Box. 8/23/2013 Phase 4 Version 2.2

Transcription

1 DVS Simplified Reference Architecture for VDI-in-a-Box 8/23/213 Phase 4 Version 2.2 THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY CONTAIN TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND TECHNICAL INACCURACIES. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. Copyright 213 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell. Dell, the Dell logo, and the Dell badge are trademarks of Dell Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. Citrix and XenDesktop are registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

2 Contents 1 Executive Summary Introduction Introducing the DVS Simplified Appliance Value Proposition Why Dell Feature Overview Design Principles Architecture Scalability Ideal Deployments When is DVS Simplified Appliance Right for Me? New Features Dell ProSupport and Professional Services Overview Desktop Virtualization Solutions Overview Solution Architecture Architecture Overview Simplified Appliance Form Factor Options Hypervisor Platform Options Appliance Scale Configuration Options Appliance User Loads VDI-in-a-box Core Components Hardware Components The Simplified Appliances PowerEdge R72 Rack-Based Solution PowerEdge T62 Tower-Based Solution Compliant Dell PowerEdge Servers Storage Disk Space Requirement by Workload Drive IOPS Requirement by Workload Persistent and Non-Persistent Desktops Defined Persistent vs. Non-Persistent Desktop Characteristics Persistent vs. Shared Image Disk Space Planning Dell Wyse Xenith 2 and Xenith Pro Zero Clients Software Components Citrix VDI-in-a-Box The DVS Simplified Hypervisors Microsoft Windows Server 212 Hyper-V Citrix XenServer VMware vsphere Microsoft Licensing with DVS Simplified Microsoft Windows Licensing Microsoft Office Licensing Citrix Desktop Receiver Citrix XenCenter Citrix TCP/UDP Port Communication Citrix Desktop Receiver Virtual Desktop Antivirus ii Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

3 5.9 Windows Active Directory Integration Network Architecture Physical Network Connectivity End-User Workload Characterization Characterization Overview Basic Workload Characterization Standard Workload Characterization Premium Workload Characterization Workload Characterization Testing Details Performance and Testing Load Generation and Monitoring Login VSI Login Consultants Liquidware Labs Stratusphere UX Testing Summary End User Experience Testing Summary Testing Testing Methodology User Workloads Standard Workload Test Results Large Appliance vsphere 5.1 Update Windows Server 212 Hyper-V XenServer Test Results Small Appliance ESXi 5.1 Update Windows Server 212 Hyper-V XenServer Summary of Test Results Recommendations High Availability DVS Simplified Appliance Resiliency Customer Provided Stack Components Customer Provided Switching Requirements Conclusion... 6 About the Authors iii Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

4 1 Executive Summary Dell and Citrix have taken another significant step toward eliminating the complexity of desktop virtualization. Together, we have developed an improved turn-key solution the DVS Simplified Appliance to help enterprise customers leverage this compelling technology. For those new to the space, desktop virtualization is a proven methodology for delivering a rich computing experience to users from centralized data centers. These data centers can be on-site or cloud-based, in either customer-hosted or Dellmanaged configurations. In desktop virtualization the OS, applications, user preferences, and user data are decoupled from the client device. As a result, IT departments have the ability to deliver standardized desktops to multiple end points, to improve operational efficiency and security, and to ultimately enhance user productivity. Dell s Desktop Virtualization and Cloud Client Computing solutions meet the needs of a rapidly changing and increasingly mobile workforce by providing near universal access to corporate apps and data. They also provide IT departments with a greater degree of control by delivering a flexible user experience without compromising security. With Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 5.3, the Dell DVS Simplified Appliance provides a simplified, cost effective solution in a convenient appliance. This allows companies with limited budgets and IT staff to leverage the benefits of desktop virtualization at as few as 5 users. VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 integrates connection brokering, load balancing, desktop provisioning, high-availability, and user personalization features using Citrix Personal vdisk (PVD). VDIin-a-Box 5.3 also delivers preferred management functions in a single package running on standard Dell servers with local storage while enabling anytime anywhere access with built-in support for the Citrix HDX high definition desktop virtualization experience to users for any application, device, or network. Finally, VDI-in-a-Box offers hypervisor support for Citrix XenServer, VMware vsphere and Microsoft Hyper-V. This reference architecture provides an introduction to the technology, benefits, general sizing guidance and configuration recommendations for implementing a Dell virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution powered by Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 with a Citrix XenServer, VMware vsphere or Microsoft Hyper-V infrastructure. This configuration combines Dell PowerEdge R72 rack or Dell PowerEdge T62 tower servers with VDI-ina-Box software to create a flexible VDI solution capable of providing a user experience that is the same or better than a traditional PC desktop. Solution flexibility allows us to support smaller deployments of only 5 users and broader deployments supporting 1 users on either a tower or a rack based server. The smaller configuration provides virtual desktops at the same cost per seat but with a lower overall cost of entry than the 1 user deployment. In this way, Dell s Desktop Virtualization Solutions (DVS) are indeed giving you the power to do more. 1 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

5 2 Introduction 2.1 Introducing the DVS Simplified Appliance Dell s DVS Simplified Appliance is a simple, practical VDI appliance designed specifically to help you address the business and technical challenges of mid-sized virtual desktop deployments and unlock innovation and productivity enabled by the mobile consumerization era. The pre-configured DVS Simplified Appliance pre-integrates hardware and software, simplifying your implementation and accelerating your time to value. The DVS Simplified Appliance also delivers the core benefits of the best VDI solutions including: streamlined desktop management, enhanced security, added agility and flexibility and a rich user experience that can allow your IT organization to transition from traditional tasks such as answering break/fix calls and patching software to addressing more strategic projects. The DVS Simplified Appliance includes the following key features: Easy to deploy and manage with an all in one appliance and single server based grid architecture. Rich end user experience maximum leverage of Citrix HDX technologies. Simple grid infrastructure provides for linear and predictable expansion. Available in both rack and tower server configurations. Support for Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XenServer hypervisors. Available in a lower cost-of-entry initial configuration for deployments of 5 users. 2.2 Value Proposition The DVS Simplified Appliance is architected to support the needs of your simple nonenterprise deployments with an appliance-based solution with the following attributes: Affordable can be purchased with existing PC refresh budgets less than $5 per seat depending on user count. Easy to deploy wizard-based four-step setup, factory-installed software and preconfigured hardware. Easy to manage all in one software, server based grid architecture. Easy to operate single intuitive management console. Easy to expand modular, provides linear and predictable expansion. Rich end user experience leverages Citrix HDX for a rich user experience. Justifiable capital expense rapid ROI for deployments of 25+ desktops. Practical no specialized IT experience required to deploy and manage. 2 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

6 Simple VDI Appliance: Integrates pre-configured hardware and Citrix VIAB 5.3 software eliminates implementation and operational complexity. Quick and Simple deployment: Provides wizard-driven setup and configuration rapidly deploy in hours to a few days, no special expertise required. Simplified desktop operations: The solution s All-in-one VDI software consolidates connection brokering, load balancing, provisioning and VDI management functions with Dell server hardware to radically simplify management and provisioning of desktops. Affordable All in one appliance Integrates VDI Manager software, Dell ProSupport and Dell PowerEdge servers to create a cost-efficient simple appliance with no requirement for network storage Ideal balance of cost and performance Designed specifically with nocompromise solution components for simple IT environments and medium-sized deployments A La Carte Dell Services Dell JumpStart Remote training and Remote Configuration Services are available to get you up and running in one to three days. Practical Rich user experience Delivers a rich end-user experience with built-in Citrix HDX technology for optimizing a user s virtual desktop experience. Users can access their virtual desktops and work resources from virtually anywhere, seamlessly across different locations and with the device of their choosing. N+1 Grid Architecture Implements an easy to manage server grid architecture with integrated server redundancy. Scales linearly and predictably in a modular fashion. End to end solution Dell s single integrated solution contains components that are pre-integrated to save time. Dell provides end-to-end support on the appliance and software that utilizes the solution. The solution is complemented by the extensive portfolio of Citrix-validated Dell Wyse thin and zero clients like the new Dell Wyse Xenith Why Dell Benefit: Significantly decreases Time to Value return versus DIY or competitor solutions. Designed to fit within customer s environment regardless of current infrastructure. Also allows for flexibility in terms of services and ownership models. Select competitors offer proprietary solutions that lock their customers into certain technologies, limiting future expansion and increasing cost over time. 3 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

7 Offers increased productivity, better end user experience and higher levels of efficiency. Addresses the whole solution to meet both planned and unplanned future growth requirements. Value: Removes the inherent complexity and allows you to realize value and efficiencies versus customer DIY and competitors. Removes economic barriers of entry and mitigates risk due to our extensive experience in cloud computing models. Offers you the choice from data center to end point clients/devices, ease of expansion and mitigates cost by providing a scalable architecture for future growth. Fosters IT alignment to core business objectives and needs increasing overall business performance. The solution will maintain long term agility and financial viability for years to come. Differentiation: Only Dell offers an end-to-end solution. Single point of contact for all hardware, software and services support. 2.4 Feature Overview Design Principles The design principles for the flexible computing solution are: Secure Security risks, concerns and policies are addressed or mitigated. Manageable The solution includes the tools and software services required to manage the environment. Standards based Makes use of commodity, off-the-shelf components wherever possible. Distributed Non-blocking and built with distributed components to maximise the use of available computing resources and eliminate bottlenecks. Scalable Capable of scaling up / down to support business needs. Resilient The solution must be able to withstand the failure of a single infrastructure component Architecture Scalability The architecture is designed to provide a scalable platform: The components can be scaled either horizontally or vertically by adding additional DVS Simplified appliances to the VDI-in-a-box grid. 4 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

8 The architecture has been designed to eliminate bandwidth and performance bottlenecks as much as possible. The architecture has been designed to allow future horizontal and vertical scaling with the objective of reducing the future cost of ownership of the infrastructure. 2.5 Ideal Deployments The Dell DVS Simplified Appliance is designed for the progressive mid-market VDI customer supporting anywhere from 5 to hundreds of users. While these customers may have considerable IT expertise, they may not have the resources to design and implement a highly flexible and scalable desktop virtualization solution. This design helps drive optimizations in the simplicity and agility of the solution and help customers address these common business needs: DVS Simplified is ideal for IT professionals who are: IT Managers in private and public sector organizations spanning all sectors including all core verticals. Those responsible for management and operations of client computing and/or desktop computing infrastructure in the IT organization. Those whose responsibilities include: Operations of IT systems and related hardware for client computing. Providing maintenance, update and break/fix support services for IT systems and equipment. Design and implementation of end user computing infrastructure and systems. Ensure compliance with relevant governmental regulations and mandates. Establish organization policies and procedures for secure and safe end user computing. Develop requests/proposal for IT budgets, both capital expenditures and operating. expenses for end user computing systems, hardware and services. Managing operating expenditures. Influencers: CIO, CFO and related staff. Data center management and operations. Network management and operations. Security management and operations. Business unit decision makers. Employees and users (users may not be employed by the organization users can include; students, partners, contractors, vendors, regulators, associates or stakeholders external to the organization). Use cases for the Dell DVS Simplified Appliance: Organizations that lack in-house server and storage virtualization expertise - SMBs such as accounting firms, law firms, mortgage companies, insurance brokers, K-12 and higher education, credit unions, regional banks. 5 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

9 Organizations that must limit capital outlay or who must fit VDI into their PC refresh budget State/Local government libraries, county/community hospitals, financial brokerages, community banks. Companies that want to employ VDI for a specific user group department deployment, specific work group, or non-enterprise wide rollouts - VDI desktops for retail stations, call centers, for departments in larger organizations such as the administration staff at a branch office, tellers at credit union retail offices. Non-primary desktops or access scenarios home office, office hotel-ing, mobile user access via tablets, remote service technicians, office desktop pools 2.6 When is DVS Simplified Appliance Right for Me? The Dell DVS Simplified Appliance is specifically targeted at customers that have hundreds of users versus the DVS Enterprise customers that have thousands of users. DVS Simplified is an architecture that has been perfected to meet the features and requirements of small and medium business. Refer to the charts below to determine if DVS Simplified is right for you. The DVS Simplified Appliance is typically best suited to IT professionals who agree with the following statements: I only have a small IT staff of primarily IT generalists. I am willing to forego advanced VDI features (e.g. image management or automation) in order to have simplified deployment and management. I don t need application virtualization or application streaming. I am comfortable with basic high availability. I only need virtual desktops for a few hundred users. My budget for VDI deployment is severely constrained. I don t anticipate needing an upgrade path to XenDesktop. 6 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

10 DVS Simplified versus DVS Enterprise Options: Advanced Image Management High Availability Option (HA) DVS Simplified Appliance No Basic (Failover) DVS Enterprise Yes Enterprise class Live Migration No Optional Application Streaming No Optional Application Virtualization No Optional Shared Storage Optional Yes Persistent and Non Persistent Desktops Integrated Profile Persistence 2.7 New Features Yes Basic Yes Basic Citrix VDI in a Box 5.3 makes deploying virtual desktops easier, more intuitive and simpler than ever before. With an enhanced single management console, the latest HDX technology stack, a choice of hypervisors between Citrix XenServer, VMware vsphere and Microsoft Hyper-V and a completely integrated Citrix offering, VDI in a Box 5.3 makes pooled and personalized virtual desktops easy to deploy. Full Windows 8 support VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 now supports HDX connections to Windows 8 virtual desktops. This will provide the best user experience with enhancements in 3D application support, new H.264 SuperCodec, and reduced bandwidth consumption. With the VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 release, personal desktops (PVD) will be available on both Windows 7 and Windows 8, providing a personalized user experience on the latest Windows desktop OS. It also allows users to take advantage of the new Windows 212 VHDX format by providing native support. Better supportability For IT and support organizations, the VDI-in-a-Box login experience is improved with licensing, JGroup, and HV connector. Log collection is also easier now you can collect logs from all the vdimanagers on any one vdimanager with just the click of a button. 7 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

11 For the end user, VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 provides better, more specific error messages and selfservice buttons so that they can identify and troubleshoot issues. Remote users can now perform single sign-on (SSO) to virtual desktops via the NetScaler Access Gateway web interface. Enhanced IT experience VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 comes with a new wizard-driven SSL certificate installation and management. IT no longer needs to install a trusted SSL certificate on the vdimanagers for each appliance to avoid security warnings in end user browsers. Version 5.3 allows you to install and manage both trusted and self-signed SSL certificates from the admin console. You can distribute installed certificates to other servers in a grid from the same UI. VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 is now compatible with the Citrix Universal Print Server. IT no longer needs to install multiple network printer drivers in the golden images. Universal Printing requires no driver install. Stay current with latest technologies VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 supports the latest Windows and hypervisor technologies including XenServer 6.2, Microsoft Hyper-V 212, and VMware vsphere / ESX 5.1. No matter what platform you run, VDI-in-a-Box takes advantage of the best that these platforms have to offer. Version 5.3 also provides Windows Server 212 as virtual desktop in a Windows 8 skin and allows IT to leverage Microsoft SPLA licensing. 2.8 Dell ProSupport and Professional Services Overview Dell ProSupport is included with the DVS Simplified Appliance, providing comprehensive hardware and software support for three years. This allows your support staff to spend less time on issue resolution and more time on strategic initiatives. With Dell ProSupport, customers can access highly trained experts to help resolve any issue quickly and effectively 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Additionally, Dell ProSupport provides access to software updates, bug fixes/patches and product updates for Citrix VDI-in-a-Box and Citrix XenServer. Dell ProSupport benefits: Maximize uptime with the help of expert DVS Simplified Appliance technicians. Software support for Citrix VDI-In-A-Box 5.3 and XenServer 6.2. Maintain productivity with Dell ProSupport Next Business Day and optional 4-hour response time. Additionally, Dell offers the following optional value-add services in support of its DVS Simplified Appliance: Highly recommended: JumpStart Training Jumpstart training for Dell DVS Simplified Appliance is available as a 4-hour* Web-based course that includes the guidance and hands-on exercises necessary for IT administrators of all levels to master appliance 8 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

12 configuration and administration activities quickly and effectively. The curriculum can be customized to fit your specific needs. *The training is also available as a 2-hour option when combined with Remote Advisory/Configuration Services. Remote Advisory Services Dell Remote Advisory Services are available to remotely configure the DVS Simplified Appliance. The 4-hour service also includes an option for knowledge transfer. Recommended: Onsite Installation Services Dell Onsite Installation Services provide a 3-day engagement at the customer s site to perform physical to virtual creation of desktop image, installation of the Dell DVS Simplified Appliance and other client devices and knowledge transfer. Blueprint Assessment Services Dell s Blueprint Assessment Service uses a virtual appliance and agent software, deployed on the customer s network, to gather detailed data from every desktop targeted for virtualization. The outcome is an expansive and detailed report of the desktop environment and user profiles. This data-driven feedback is used as a basis for a productive virtual desktop environment. This information also helps Dell create a detailed and accurate design and implementation plan for delivering virtual desktops. Blueprint Assessment Lite Services Dell s Blueprint Assessment Lite Service is similar to the Blueprint Assessment Service with the exception that the customer executes data collection activities and engages Dell to conduct the data analysis. Network Optimization Services Dell s Network Optimization Service includes a comprehensive assessment of your network with detailed recommendations to optimize performance and availability. Image Creation Services Dell s Image Creation Service converts physical desktop images into virtual images in accordance with Dell or customer-defined specifications, for use with the Dell DVS Simplified Appliance. 2.9 Desktop Virtualization Solutions Overview A typical Dell DVS Enterprise VDI deployment requires components that are not needed for the typical DVS Simplified Appliance customer. An illustration of a typical DVS Enterprise deployment is shown in Figure 1 and described below: Provisioning Servers: These management servers control the dynamic provisioning and de-allocation of virtual desktops. Typically, a minimum of two provisioning servers are required for high-availability. 9 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

13 Delivery controllers: These servers manage and broker the end-user connections to the virtual desktops. Typically, a minimum of two delivery controllers/connection brokers is required for high-availability. Virtual desktop hosts: These are the servers that run the virtual desktop workload and the number of these depends on their capacity and the sizing guidelines of the VDI solution. Load balancers: A minimum of two load balancers are typically placed in front of the delivery controllers to evenly distribute the desktop workload. Shared storage SAN: Shared storage is required to create a centralized storage resource pool for the running virtual desktops, so that in the event of a server failure, a different VM host can pick up the desktop state from the SAN and run the desktops. High-speed interconnects: Typically, for performance reasons, high-speed interconnects are used among these components. While this DVS Enterprise VDI architecture is cost-effective for large deployments, it requires a sizable investment that may not be efficient for smaller deployments. Dell configures the solution for customers and provides a thoroughly-tested, well-integrated appliance. Figure 1: Enterprise VDI While a DVS Enterprise VDI architecture is cost-effective for large deployments, it requires a sizable investment that may not be efficient or ideal for smaller deployments. Either way however, we configure the solution for you and provide a thoroughly-tested, wellintegrated appliance that will fit your needs. Figure 2 below references a Citrix VDI-in-a-Box deployment using a grid architecture that makes expansion easy and delivers high-availability (HA) without requiring externally attached shared storage (such as a SAN). This results in a significant cost savings. To expand a VDI-in-a-Box deployment, simply load the Citrix software on additional Dell 1 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

14 PowerEdge servers. Then add the new servers to the VDI-in-a-Box grid by answering two simple questions posed by the Citrix management software. VDI-in-a-Box automatically prepares the new servers with the appropriate desktop images and load balances the desktop workload across the grid. Figure 2: Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 11 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

15 3 Solution Architecture 3.1 Architecture Overview Dell s Desktop Virtualization Solutions are a combination of purpose-built horizontal architectures designed to be modular and scalable for an array of customer needs and a defined and tested services methodology. To provide this scalable and predictive solution stack, Dell developed specific design criteria based on extensive testing and validation within our Engineering Solutions Lab. This drove the design criteria to allow modular scalability which requires certain design constraints as outlined in this document. The DVS Simplified base configuration provides customers with the following choices: Appliance hardware form factor o Rack-based or Tower-based Base hypervisor platform o Citrix XenServer, VMware vsphere or Microsoft Hyper-V Appliance scale level o Large appliance (up to 15 users) or small appliance (up to 75 users) Customers can be assured that no matter what hypervisor, appliance hardware platform, or scale level they choose, the DVS Simplified solution will meet and/or exceed all performance levels and provide users with the best possible VDI experience Simplified Appliance Form Factor Options Customers can now choose between two appliance hardware form factors. The DVS Simplified appliance can either be ordered as a rack-based solution based on Dell s PowerEdge R72 platform, or as a tower-based solution based on Dell s PowerEdge T62 platform Hypervisor Platform Options Additionally, customers can now choose between three hypervisor platforms. The DVS Simplified solution now supports and can be configured with Citrix XenServer 6.2, Microsoft Hyper-V 212 or VMware vsphere 5.1. All three choices have been tested and validated to provide the same high level of performance, while adhering to the customer s standard or preference Appliance Scale Configuration Options The DVS Simplified appliance can now be ordered in two hardware scale configurations, regardless of appliance form factor; depending on deployment size and purpose. While the two configurations share the same rack-based and tower-based hardware platform(s), the differences between the two are as follows; Large Appliance Configuration o Chassis for Up to 16 x 2.5-Inch Hard Drives o Dual Intel Xeon ES-268v2 2.8Ghz, 1 Cores 12 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

16 o o 256 GB (16x16GB) DDR3 1666MHz 16 x 3 GB 15K RPM SAS 6 Gbps 2.5 Inch Hot plug Hard Drives Small Appliance Configuration o o o o Chassis for Up to 8 x 2.5-Inch Hard Drives Dual Intel Xeon ES-264v2 2.Ghz, 8 Cores 128 GB (12x8GB) DDR3 1333MHz 8 x 3 GB 1K RPM SAS 6 Gbps 2.5 Inch Hot plug Hard Drives Appliance User Loads The DVS Simplified solution is marketed as a simplified VDI configuration that can serve as a great entry point for customers into the VDI market. All management roles will be virtualized on the DVS Simplified appliances. Maximum per large appliance user estimations are based on one of the following: 15 users per server running a basic workload. 125 users per server running a standard workload. 114 users per server running a premium workload. Maximum per small appliance user estimations are based on one of the following: 75 users per server running a basic workload. 63 users per server running a standard workload. 56 users per server running a premium workload. The solution is based on Citrix VDI-in-a-Box. Citrix VDI-in-a-Box provides a complete end-to-end solution that delivers Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 7 or 8 virtual desktops to users on a wide variety of endpoint devices. Citrix VDI-in-a-Box provides a complete virtual desktop delivery system by combining management and virtual desktops onto a single server. 3.2 VDI-in-a-box Core Components DVS Simplified Appliance VDI-in-a-box Load Balancing Template Manager VDI Desktop Pool Citrix vdimanager Common Base OS Image Hypervisor Platform 13 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

17 The core components that encompass VDI-in-a-Box are: VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 Broker o Installed on servers either in the data center or branch office, the broker authenticates users, manages the assembly of users virtual desktop environments and brokers connections between users and their virtual desktops. Provisioning Service o Enables and controls dynamic provisioning and de-allocation of virtual desktops. High Availability o vdimanager instances on physical servers communicate with each other to share key operational and configuration information. When a physical server fails, the remaining servers in the grid have the needed information to create extra desktops to replace those on the failed server. When the failed server is repaired and re-joins the grid, the key operational and configuration information is sent to it and it then resumes desktop provisioning. Load Balancing o Desktops are created across servers running vdimanager based on how many desktops are currently running on each server and the availability of computing resources (memory and cores) on each server. When a user logs on, vdimanager provisions a desktop from a lightly loaded server. Virtual Desktop Agent o Installed on virtual desktops, the agent enables direct ICA (Independent Computing Architecture) connections between the virtual desktop and users endpoint devices. Template Management o Virtual desktops are created from templates. Templates consist of: An image that includes a desktop operating system, a set of applications and the VDI-in-a-Box Desktop Agent Policies that specify how many desktops to create, how much RAM to allocate to each, whether local USB peripherals can be accessed by the virtual desktop and the desktop refresh policy. Citrix Desktop Receiver o Software running on an endpoint that enables the device to connect to a virtual Windows XP, Windows 7 or desktop running on a server Additional VDI-in-a-Box components o Hypervisor Integration. The Citrix VDI-in-a-Box solution can be used in conjunction with Citrix XenServer, VMware vsphere or Microsoft Hyper-V for the provisioning of virtual machines. o Active Directory Integration. VDI-in-a-Box optionally uses Active Directory for security services like authentication. o Antivirus Management - An optional component that is not built into the solution but is highly recommended. 14 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

18 4 Hardware Components 4.1 The Simplified Appliances PowerEdge R72 Rack-Based Solution The PowerEdge R72 dramatically boosts application performance with nextgeneration Intel Xeon E5-26 family processing power and up to 24 DIMMs. Built with 32-nanometer process technology with up to 8 cores per processor, it enables super-fast processing for computingintensive tasks. Click for more information on the R72 rack mount server. PowerEdge R72 Large Appliance PowerEdge R72 Small Appliance 2x Intel Xeon 2.8ghz 1 cores 2x Intel Xeon 8 cores 256GB 1666mhz 128GB 1333mhz 16x 3GB SAS 6Gbps 15k Disks - RAID1 8x 3 GB SAS 6Gbps 1k Disks - RAID1 PERC H71P Integrated RAID Controller 1Gb RAM PERC H71P Integrated RAID Controller 1Gb RAM Broadcom GbE Quad Port Daughter-card Broadcom GbE Quad Port Daughter-card idrac7 Enterprise idrac7 Enterprise DVS Simplified running on the PowerEdge T62 is the same compelling technology in a different form factor that runs exactly the same as the PowerEdge R72. We offer the R72 and the T62 in a large appliance user configuration and we offer a R72 and a T62 in the small appliance user version. This second option is a compelling offering for IT departments anticipating a lower seat count and who want to enter this space on a trial basis at a lower cost. Dell s newest 12G PowerEdge R72 servers feature energy-tuned technologies designed to reduce power consumption while increasing performance and capacity. Enhancements include: Efficient power supply units right-sized for system requirements. Improved system-level efficiency. Policy-driven power and thermal management. Highly efficient standards-based Energy Smart components. 15 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

19 4.1.2 PowerEdge T62 Tower-Based Solution The PowerEdge T62 stands in the same class of performance and shares the same hardware configuration options as the R72; only delivering it in Dell s tower-based form factor. The T62 tower-based form factor is ideal for deployments where rack and power resources are unavailable (small branch offices or remote locations), or in VDI pilots/proofs of concept where the appliance location may be temporary. Click for more information on the T62 tower server. PowerEdge T62 Large Appliance PowerEdge T62 Small Appliance 2x Intel Xeon 1 cores 2x Intel Xeon 8 cores 256GB 1666mhz 128GB 1333mhz 16x 3GB SAS 6Gbps 1k Disks - RAID1 8x 3GB SAS 6Gbps 1k Disks - RAID1 PERC H71P Integrated RAID Controller 1Gb RAM PERC H71P Integrated RAID Controller 1Gb RAM Broadcom GbE Quad Port Daughter-card Broadcom GbE Quad Port Daughter-card idrac7 Enterprise idrac7 Enterprise Compliant Dell PowerEdge Servers Customers with available Dell servers or those who do not want to purchase an R72 or T62 can purchase one of the Dell servers listed below. While DVS does not provide any guidance or sizing on VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 compliant servers the appropriate Citrix software is available for order using our OEM software SKU and is certified to run on the servers in the following categories. RACK PowerEdge R21 II PowerEdge R31 PowerEdge R32 PowerEdge R415 PowerEdge R42 PowerEdge R515 PowerEdge R52 PowerEdge R61 PowerEdge R62 PowerEdge R715 PowerEdge R72 PowerEdge R72xd PowerEdge R815 PowerEdge R82 PowerEdge R91 BLADE PowerEdge M42 16 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

20 PowerEdge M52 PowerEdge M61x PowerEdge M62 PowerEdge M82 PowerEdge M915 TOWER PowerEdge T11 II PowerEdge T32 PowerEdge T42 PowerEdge T62 PowerEdge T71 C-SERIES PowerEdge C11 PowerEdge C21 PowerEdge C41x PowerEdge C5 PowerEdge C5125 PowerEdge C522 PowerEdge C61 PowerEdge C615 PowerEdge C6145 PowerEdge C622 PowerEdge C8 PowerEdge C8XD PowerEdge C822 PowerEdge C822X 4.2 Storage Since VDI-in-a-Box only supports local storage, determining the correct size and type of disk is crucial. The following table details the methods by which to assume storage capacity: Storage Golden Desktop Images VM Storage VDI-in-a-box VM Disk Space 2x Golden Image size 15% x Image size x #VMs 75GB Recommended Swap Space VM RAM size x VM # Thin clone expansion buffer 1% x Golden Image Size x Number of VMs Also note that VDI-in-a-Box utilizes linked clones technology to further reduce the amount of storage required. This means the virtual machine is a copy of the golden image and in turn, shares virtual disks of the parent clone (i.e., golden image). This is why the storage required per VM is only 15% of the golden image as opposed to 1%. In order to provide linked clones, VDI-in-a-box must copy the golden images to each server on the grid so that linked clones can be created on each host server. Note that the hypervisor must be configured to utilize thin provisioning in order to take advantage of this 85% storage 2 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

21 reduction. Otherwise, each VM would require 1% of the disk space reservation used by the golden image. Another significant point is that the vdimanager virtual machine must be installed on each host machine. This requirement expands the storage necessity by 75 GB per server for the vdimanager VM as well as an additional amount for swap and other transient activity that varies based on the number of virtual desktops and memory allocated to each virtual desktop. The next important factor when considering storage capacity is the type of local storage (e.g., SATA or SAS) to utilize for virtual machines. The type of storage must be able to accommodate the amount of input/output operations per second (i.e., IOPS) that originate from the virtual machines. Note that each virtual machine may be allocated differently and therefore must take into account the user profile assigned. As guidance for the solution, disk IOPS and user profile IOPS were used to calculate the type of drive needed. The following tables outline the estimated IOPS profile per drive and per user type, respectively. Drive Type IOPS per Drive 72 RPM SATA Hard Drive 75 IOPS 1k RPM SAS Hard Drive 15K RPM SAS Hard Drive User Type Basic Workload Standard Workload Premium Workload 15 IOPS 2 IOPS IOPS per User Type 1 IOPS 12 IOPS 15 IOPS Disk Space Requirement by Workload Given these listed storage considerations, we can calculate the amount of storage required to house the 15, 125 and 114 desktop VM configurations for the standard level system and the 75, 63 and 56 desktop VM configurations for the entry level system. Using 2 golden images that are the same size, it is straight forward to calculate the amount of storage required: Large Appliance User Type Storage Type Space Requirements Basic Workload Golden Images 2 x 2GB 2 Golden Images = 8GB Standard Workload Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity Recommended Buffer Space Golden Images Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity 15% 2 GB 15 VMs = 45GB 8GB + 45GB + 225GB(Swap) + 75GB (vdimanager VM) = 83GB per Server 1% 2GB 15 VMs = 3 GB 2 x 25GB 2 Golden Images = 1GB 15% 25GB 125 VMs = 313GB 1GB + 469GB + 188GB(Swap) + 75GB 2 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

22 Large Appliance User Type Storage Type Space Requirements (vdimanager VM) = 832GB per Server Premium Workload Recommended Buffer Space Golden Images Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity Recommended Buffer Space 1% 25GB 125 VMs = 313GB 2 x 3GB 2 Golden Images = 12GB 15% 3GB 114 VMs = 513GB 12GB + 513GB + 228GB(Swap) + 75GB (vdimanager VM) = 936GB per Server 1% 3GB 114 VMs = 342GB Small Appliance User Type Storage Type Space Requirements Basic Workload Golden Images 2 x 2GB 2 Golden Images = 8GB Standard Workload Premium Workload Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity Recommended Buffer Space Golden Images Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity Recommended Buffer Space Golden Images Virtual Machines Total Server Capacity Recommended Buffer Space 15% 2 GB 75 VMs = 225GB 8GB + 225GB + 113GB(Swap) + 75GB (vdimanager VM) = 493GB per Server 1% 2GB 75 VMs = 15 GB 2 x 25GB 2 Golden Images = 1GB 15% 25GB 63 VMs = 237GB 1GB + 237GB + 95GB(Swap) + 75GB (vdimanager VM) = 57GB per Server 1% 25GB 63 VMs = 158GB 2 x 3GB 2 Golden Images = 12GB 15% 3GB 56 VMs = 252GB 12GB + 252GB + 112GB(Swap) + 75GB (vdimanager VM) = 559GB per Server 1% 3GB 56 VMs = 168GB 3 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

23 4.2.2 Drive IOPS Requirement by Workload The next step is to determine how approximately many drives can satisfy both the storage and the average IOPS requirement for each workload. Large Appliance User Type Drive Metrics Drive Requirements Basic Workload Average IOPS per Server 15 Desktops x1 Average IOPS = 15 IOPS # of 15k RPM SAS Drives 15 IOPS 2 IOPS per Disk = ~7.5 15k RPM SAS Drive Size 113 GB 7.5 = ~15GB Standard Workload Average IOPS per Server 125 Desktops x12 Average IOPS = 15 IOPS # of 15k RPM SAS Drives 15 IOPS 2 IOPS per Disk = ~7.5 15k RPM SAS Drive Size 1145 GB 7.5 = ~153GB Premium Workload Average IOPS per Server 114 Desktops x15 Average IOPS = 171 IOPS # of 15k RPM SAS Drives 171 IOPS 2 IOPS per Disk = ~8.5 15k RPM SAS Drive Size 1278 GB 8.5 = ~15GB The large appliance configuration was built using 16 x 3GB 15K SAS to not only satisfy these calculations but to allow for more space for persistent and PVD desktop users as well as to support an increase in IOPS without a dramatic increase in the price of the system. These additional drives will also allow the array to be configured as RAID-1, thereby adding fault tolerance to the storage array while minimizing performance degradation. Small Appliance User Type Drive Metrics Drive Requirements Basic Workload Average IOPS per Server 75 Desktops x1 Average IOPS = 75 IOPS # of 1k RPM SAS Drives 75 IOPS 15 IOPS per Disk = ~5 1k RPM SAS Drive Size 643GB 5 = ~129GB Standard Workload Average IOPS per Server 63 Desktops x12 Average IOPS = 756 IOPS # of 1k RPM SAS Drives 756 IOPS 15 IOPS per Disk = ~5 1k RPM SAS Drive Size 665GB 5 = ~133GB Premium Workload Average IOPS per Server 56 Desktops x15 Average IOPS = 84 IOPS # of 1k RPM SAS Drives 84 IOPS 15 IOPS per Disk = ~6 1k RPM SAS Drive Size 727GB 6 = ~121GB The small appliance Configuration was built using eight 3GB 1K SAS to not only satisfy these calculations but to allow for more space for persistent and PVD desktop users as well as to support an increase in IOPS without a dramatic increase in the price of the solution. 4 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

24 These additional drives will also allow the array to be configured as RAID-1, thereby adding fault tolerance to the storage array while minimizing performance degradation. While the solution offers high availability when multiple servers are joined to a grid, not using a RAID configuration with redundancy would allow a single point of failure for the entire solution for single server deployments. Even with multiple servers in a grid, desktop failover is not instantaneous as each failed desktop will have to be provisioned as new desktops on the remaining servers Persistent and Non-Persistent Desktops Defined Persistent Desktops: Gives users the flexibility to have their own customized workspace. This workspace allows users to install applications, customize settings and make other workspace related changes that are saved between sessions. Persistent desktops give users the benefit of having a customized workspace while still enjoying all the security and manageability benefits of desktop virtualization. The downside is that they use substantially more storage than non-persistent. Non-persistent Desktops: Non-persistent virtualized desktops revert back to the golden image between sessions. All desktop-related modifications, such as user installed applications, are removed when the user logs off, reverting back to a clean image on reboot. User-specific settings (persona/profile) that are recorded in the user profile, however, can optionally be stored and re-used. 5 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

25 4.2.4 Persistent vs. Non-Persistent Desktop Characteristics Persistent vs. Shared Image Disk Space Planning When planning a DVS Simplified deployment with persistent desktops, we must assume that users can potentially utilize 1% of the disk space given to the golden image. As the number of, or size of the golden image increases, the amount of persistent users supported decreases. Below are examples of how the maximum number of users per server varies by workload as you increase the number of golden images. Note: Any number of golden images can be supported. The table below is displaying three data points of 2, 5 and 1 golden images for example purposes only. 6 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

26 Persistent Image Disk Space Planning Chart: Large Appliance Workload Golden Images Golden Image Size Desktop Memory Maximum User Count Basic 2 2 GB 1 GB 98 Standard 2 25 GB 1.5 GB 72 Premium 2 3 GB 2.5 GB 56 Basic 5 2 GB 1 GB 93 Standard 5 25 GB 1.5 GB 67 Premium 5 3 GB 2.5 GB 51 Basic 1 2 GB 1 GB 84 Standard 1 25 GB 1.5 GB 59 Premium 1 3 GB 2.5 GB 43 Persistent Image Disk Space Planning Chart: Small Appliance Workload Golden Images Golden Image Size Desktop Memory Maximum User Count Basic 2 2 GB 1 GB 49 Standard 2 25 GB 1.5 GB 36 Premium 2 3 GB 2.5 GB 27 Basic 5 2 GB 1 GB 44 Standard 5 25 GB 1.5 GB 31 Premium 5 3 GB 2.5 GB 22 Basic 1 2 GB 1 GB 35 Standard 1 25 GB 1.5 GB 22 Premium 1 3 GB 2.5 GB 14 7 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

27 4.3 Dell Wyse Xenith 2 and Xenith Pro Zero Clients Establishing a new price/performance standard for zero clients for Citrix, the new Dell Wyse Xenith 2 provides an exceptional user experience at a highly affordable price for Citrix XenDesktop and XenApp environments. With zero attack surface, the ultra-secure Xenith 2 offers networkborne viruses and malware zero target for attacks. Xenith 2 boots up in just seconds and delivers exceptional performance for Citrix XenDesktop and XenApp users while offering usability and management features found in premium Dell Wyse cloud client devices. Xenith 2 delivers outstanding performance based on its system-on-chip (SoC) design optimized with its Dell Wyse zero architecture and a built-in media processor delivers smooth multimedia, bidirectional audio and Flash playback. Flexible mounting options let you position Xenith 2 vertically or horizontally on your desk, on the wall or behind your display. Using about 7 Watts of power in full operation, the Xenith 2 creates very little heat for a greener, more comfortable working environment. Dell Wyse Xenith Pro is the next-generation zero client for Citrix HDX and Citrix XenDesktop, delivering ultimate performance, security and simplicity. With a powerful AMD G-series processor, Xenith Pro is three times faster than competing devices. This additional computing horsepower allows dazzling HD multimedia delivery without overtaxing your server or network. The Wyse Xenith Pro requires no configuration and management your Citrix XenDesktop server configures it out-of-the-box to your preferences for plug-and-play speed and ease of use. The Xenith Pro draws under 14 watts of power in full operation less than almost any PC. 8 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

28 5 Software Components 5.1 Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 The DVS Simplified appliance is based on the Citrix VDI-in-a-box solution. VDI-in-a-Box is an easy, affordable, all-in-one desktop virtualization solution that makes the benefits of desktop virtualization available to every business. VDI-in-a-Box is the virtualization solution that makes the benefits of desktop virtualization available to every business. Customers of VDI-in-a-Box are radically improving PC management and availability by replacing traditional PCs with virtual desktops that are centrally managed and provisioned. Since VDIin-a-Box costs less than PCs to deploy, and scales on demand, organizations are able to repurpose existing PC budgets to deploy it. Desktop administrators manage a grid of VDI-ina-Box servers centrally with an intuitive wizard-driven interface that abstracts virtualization details. Automated policy-based management cuts desktop support costs. Click to learn more about Citrix VDI-in-a-Box. 9 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

29 5.2 The DVS Simplified Hypervisors Microsoft Windows Server 212 Hyper-V Hyper-V builds on the architecture and functionality of Windows Server 212 by adding multiple new features that enhance product flexibility. Hyper-V provides a dynamic, reliable and scalable virtualization platform combined with a single set of integrated management tools to manage both physical and virtual resources, enabling you to create an agile and dynamic data center. The benefits of using Windows Server 212 Hyper-V include: Monitoring, management, and general administration. The Hyper-V Manager is a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) that Windows administrators are familiar with. Comes pre-loaded in the Server Manager console on all Hyper-V versions of the appliance. Can be loaded on Windows 7 (and above) clients that have Remote Server Administration Tools installed (as a free download from Microsoft). VDI with Windows Server 212 with Hyper-V Role benefits from a rich end user experience with support for rich media and USB devices with Microsoft RemoteFX as well as a great better together story with Windows 8 as the guest OS due to increased VM density with Dynamic Memory and near-invisible integration of virtualized desktops in Windows Citrix XenServer 6.2 Citrix XenServer is a complete, managed server virtualization platform built on the powerful Xen hypervisor. Citrix XenServer technology is widely acknowledged as the fastest and most secure virtualization software in the industry. XenServer is designed for efficient management of Windows and Linux virtual servers and delivers cost-effective server consolidation and business continuity. XenServer is the enterprise-ready, cloud-proven virtualization platform that contains all the capabilities required to create and manage a virtual infrastructure. It is trusted by demanding organizations to run the most mission critical applications and used by the largest clouds. Cuts costs. By reducing the number of physical servers required in the datacenter, organizations are able to save on their power and cooling costs. Increases IT agility and efficiency. Customers can easily adapt to changing datacenter and computing needs by dynamically flexing capacity, optimizing VM placement, and automating repetitive management tasks. Improves performance and user productivity. By enabling zero downtime maintenance, automatically recovering from hardware failure, and providing 1 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

30 failover capabilities in disaster situations, end users are ensured access to mission critical applications in all scenarios. The free edition of XenServer starts with a 64-bit hypervisor and centralized management, live migration, and conversion tools to create a virtual platform that maximizes guest density and performance. The premium editions of XenServer extend the platform to enable organizations of any size to integrate and automate management processes, delivering a virtual data center solution. Citrix XenServer 6.2 will be installed with thin provisioning enabled. Click HERE for a Citrix XenServer product overview. Click HERE for Citrix XenServer documentation and FAQ VMware vsphere 5.1 VMware ESXi the industry s first x86 bare-metal hypervisor is the most reliable and robust hypervisor. Launched in 21 and now in its fifth generation, VMware ESXi has been production-proven in tens of thousands of customer deployments all over the world. The purpose-built, thin ESXi hypervisor at the core of vsphere is the base software layer on each host and it is designed for the sole purpose of virtualization. With vsphere 5.1, VMware has completed its transition to the truly thin ESXi architecture, which completely eliminates any reliance on a general-purpose operating system. 5.3 Microsoft Licensing with DVS Simplified Microsoft Windows Licensing VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 supports both KMS and MAK Volume Licensing for Windows 7 or Windows 8 desktops. Volume Activation methods were introduced with Windows 7 and do not apply to Windows XP. VDI-in-a-Box only supports Volume License versions of Windows XP, which do not require activation with Microsoft. KMS activation is the preferred method for most customers that have at least 25 unique Windows activations across both physical and virtual (VDI-in-a-Box) machines every 3 days. KMS allows for unlimited number of activations, can be easily managed a KMS host and VAMT and usually requires no change to the golden image. VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 offers a new setting at the template level to reset the KMS activation timer. Leaving this unchecked implies that the image s activation clock is not rearmed during prepare. Checking the box implies that the image s activation clock is rearmed during prepare, decrementing the activation count. If the image s activation clock is rearmed more than 3 times before the image is activated by KMS (Microsoft activation Key Management Service), the image cannot be prepared because the /generalize will fail. If your environment is already using a KMS Host, the only thing an administrator needs to do is ensure the DNS SRV records are available to the VDI-in-a-Box virtual desktops. The administrator can also configure the golden image to contact a KMS Host manually. For these details and more information on Windows KMS activation, please refer to the VDI-ina-Box Best Practices for Windows Activation: 11 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

31 5.3.2 Microsoft Office Licensing Microsoft Office 21 can be activated using the same KMS Host used by the Windows machines using KMS activations. Unlike Windows 7 activations which require at least 25 requests to activate, Office 21 only requires 5 requests to activate when using KMS. Using KMS for both Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office works like a charm and typically requires no modification of the Office installation. However, it is important to trigger the activation on the golden image before publishing it. For more information, please refer to VDI-in-a-Box Best Practices for Microsoft Office Activation: Citrix Desktop Receiver The Citrix Desktop Receiver is a client-based plug-in that is installed on the user s endpoint device. This is to be used in-conjunction with Citrix VDI-in-a-box when the user requires the ability to interact with their local desktop as well as the virtual desktop. This package provides the toolbar functionality, allowing the user to pan and scale their virtual desktop inside their local desktop. When a user logs into a VDI-in-a-box site to access a virtual desktop, the web site can detect that the Citrix Desktop Receiver is absent from endpoint devices and automatically prompt users to download and install it from the site. Click for more information on the Citrix Desktop Receiver. 5.5 Citrix XenCenter The DVS Simplified Appliance virtual machine environment provided by Citrix XenServer is monitored, managed and configured using Citrix XenCenter. Citrix XenCenter provides all the VM monitoring, management and general administration functions in a single interface including configuration, patch management and virtual machine libraries. A DVS Simplified Appliance administrator can easily manage hundreds of virtual machines from a centralized, highly available management console that installs on any Windows client desktop. Citrix XenCenter s highly resilient distributed management architecture leverages resource pooling to ensure that there is no single point of management failure. 12 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

32 5.6 Citrix TCP/UDP Port Communication Component Port Notes Citrix XenServer TCP 8/443 VDI-in-a-box VDI VDI-in-a-box Web UI TCP 1494/2598 TCP 8/443 Communication with XenServer infrastructure Citrix ICA/HDX Client Communication VDI-in-a-box Web UI for admin and user access Click for more information on VDI-in-a-Box and XenDesktop port communication. 5.7 Citrix Desktop Receiver The Citrix Desktop Receiver is a client-based plug-in that is installed on the user s endpoint device. This is to be used in-conjunction with Citrix VDI-in-a-Box when the user requires the ability to interact with their local desktop as well as the virtual desktop. This package provides the toolbar functionality, allowing the user to pan and scale their virtual desktop inside their local desktop. When a user logs into a VDI-in-a-Box site to access a virtual desktop, the web site can detect that the Citrix Desktop Receiver is absent from endpoint devices and automatically prompt users to download and install it from the site. Click for more information on the Citrix Desktop Receiver. 5.8 Virtual Desktop Antivirus When using hosted VM-based VDI desktops, those virtual desktops are located within the data center and/or on the network with other critical systems. If a virus makes it into the data center, the entire infrastructure can be at serious risk. Therefore, it is highly recommended to employ an agent-based anti-virus solution that has the ability to scan and monitor the DVS Simplified Appliance appliance(s) as well. Since the virtual desktops will be based on a single read-only image streamed from the DVS Simplified appliance, there are a number of exclusions that can be configured to optimize performance of the on-access or real-time scanning. Exclusion Exclude Subfolders Read/Write Notes C:\*.* Yes Read Prevents files from the C: drive of the desktops being scanned since these are scanned prior to setting the drive as 13 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

33 Exclusion Exclude Subfolders Read/Write Notes read only, from which point on no permanent changes will be maintained across reboots of a machine. Any files written (e.g. temporary files will be scanned on write) Pagefile.sys No Read/Write Windows swap file C:\windows\system32\spool Yes Read/Write Print spooler directory Best practice 5.9 Windows Active Directory Integration Active Directory (AD) is required for user authentication for desktops in the Windows Domain. You can use any read-only user account from AD to provide authentication. You may want to consider creating a separate account such VDI read for this purpose. Active Directory is also not needed if the VDI desktops are part of a Workgroup. In this case you can maintain the list of users in the VDI-in-a-Box internal database. Active Directory can also be used to provide roaming profiles, keeping user application configurations and their My Documents folders in a central location outside of the desktop. With this approach users are presented with a personalized desktop each time they log on. While the use of roaming profiles is optional, it provides personalization that makes the user experience for virtual desktops nearly identical to that for a physical desktop. Use of thirdparty profile management tools with VDI-in-a-Box requires only the deployment of their agents on each VDI-in-a-Box image. 1 Each server running VDI Manager requires sufficient local storage to keep images, templates and configuration information needed for a highly available system. VDI-in-a-Box does not back up user data stored on virtual desktops. Typical usage is to create desktops dynamically from a template and destroy them based on a refresh policy. A simple network file system is sufficient to keep user data outside the desktop. For sites using Workgroups, VDI-in-a-Box includes a user database for authentication. 5.1 Network Architecture Physical Network Connectivity The network will comprise of single 1 Gbps network. The physical configuration of the network is shown below Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

34 15 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

35 6 End-User Workload Characterization It is important to understand the user workloads when designing a Desktop Virtualization Solution. The Dell Desktop Virtualization Solution methodology includes a blueprint process to assess and categorize a customer s environment according to the workloads defined in this section. In the Dell Desktop Virtualization solution this will map directly to the SLA levels we offer in our Integrated Stack. There are three levels, each of which is bound by specific metrics and capabilities. 6.1 Characterization Overview Basic Workload Characterization The Basic User workload profile consists of simple task worker workloads. Typically a repetitive application use profile with a non-personalized virtual desktop image. Sample use cases may be a kiosk or call-center use cases which do not require a personalized desktop environment and the application stack is static. In a virtual desktop environment the image is dynamically created from a template for each user and returned to the desktop pool for reuse by other users. The workload requirements for a basic user is the lowest in terms of CPU, memory, network and Disk I/O requirements and will allow the greatest density and scalability of the infrastructure. User Workload VM vcpu VM Memory Allocation Approx. IOPS VDI Session Disk Space OS Image Notes Basic 1 1.5GB 7-8 3GB This user workload leverages a shared desktop image emulates a task worker. Only two apps are open simultaneously and session idle time is approximately one hour and fortyfive minutes Standard Workload Characterization The Standard User workload profile consists of , typical office productivity applications and web browsing for research/training. There is minimal image personalization required in a standard user workload profile. The workload requirement for a Standard User is moderate and most closely matches the majority of office worker profiles in terms of CPU, memory, network and Disk I/O. This will allow moderate density and scalability of the infrastructure. 16 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

36 User Workload VM vcpu VM Memory Allocation Approx. IOPS User Data Disk Space OS Image Notes Standard 1 2GB GB This user workload leverages a shared desktop image emulates a medium knowledge worker. Five applications are open simultaneously and session idle time is approximately 45 seconds Premium Workload Characterization The Premium User workload is an advanced knowledge worker. All office applications are configured and utilized. The user has moderate-to-large file size (access, save, transfer requirements). There is some graphics creation or editing done for presentations or content creation tasks. Web browsing use is typically research/training driven, similar to Standard Users. The Premium User requires extensive image personalization, for shortcuts, macros, menu layouts etc. The workload requirements for a Premium User are heavier than typical office workers in terms of CPU, memory, Network and Disk I/O. This will limit density and scalability of the infrastructure. User Workload VM vcpu VM Memory Allocation Approx. IOPS User Data Disk Space OS Image Notes Premium 2 2.5GB GB This user workload leverages a shared desktop image emulates a high level knowledge worker. Eight applications are open simultaneously and session idle time is approximately two minutes. 17 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

37 6.2 Workload Characterization Testing Details User Workload VM Memory OS Image Workload Description Basic 1.5GB Shared This workload emulates a task worker. The light workload is very light in comparison to medium. Only 2 apps are open simultaneously. Only apps used are IE, Word and Outlook. Idle time total is about 1:45 minutes Standard 1.5GB Shared This workload emulates a medium knowledge working using Office, IE and PDF. Once a session has been started the medium workload will repeat every 12 minutes. During each loop the response time is measured every 2 minutes. The medium workload opens up to 5 apps simultaneously. The type rate is 16ms for each character. Approximately 2 minutes of idle time is included to simulate realworld users. Each loop will open and use: Outlook 27, browse 1 messages. Internet Explorer, one instance is left open (BBC.co.uk), one instance is browsed to Wired.com, Lonelyplanet.com and heavy flash app gettheglass.com. Word 27, one instance to measure response time, one instance to review and edit document. Bullzip PDF Printer & Acrobat Reader, the word document is printed and reviewed to PDF. Excel 27, a very large randomized sheet is opened. PowerPoint 27, a presentation is reviewed and edited. 7-zip: using the command line version the output of the session is zipped. Premium 2.GB Shared The heavy workload is based on the standard workload; the differences in comparison to the standard workload are: Type rate is 13ms per character. Idle time total is only 4 seconds. The heavy workload opens up to 8 apps simultaneously 18 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

38 7 Performance and Testing 7.1 Load Generation and Monitoring Login VSI Login Consultants The Login VSI tool (developed by Login Consultants) was used to generate the desktop workloads. It is a widely-used tool for testing VDI environments and server-based computing / terminal services environments. It installs a standard collection of desktop application software (e.g. Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, etc.) on each VDI desktop, it then uses launcher systems to connect a specified number of users to available desktops within the environment. Once the user is connected the workload is started via a logon script which starts the test script once the user environment is configured by the login script. Each launcher system can launch connections to a number of target machines (i.e. VDI desktops) the launchers are managed via a Microsoft Management Console which is used to configure where the sessions are launched in parallel (sessions are created from each launcher in a round robin mechanism) or sequential (all sessions to be connected from each launcher are connected before the next launcher is used) Liquidware Labs Stratusphere UX Stratusphere UX was used during each test run to gather data relating to User Experience and desktop performance. Data was gathered at the Host and Virtual Machine layers and reported back to a central server (Stratusphere Hub). The hub was then used to create a series of Comma Separated Values (.csv) reports which have then been used to generate graphs and summary tables of key information. In addition the Stratusphere Hub generates a magic quadrate style scatter plot showing the Machine and IO experience of the sessions. The Stratusphere hub was deployed onto the core network therefore its monitoring did not impact the servers being tested. This core network represents an existing customer environment and also includes the following services; Active Directory DNS DHCP Anti-Virus Stratusphere UX calculates the User Experience by monitoring key metrics within the Virtual Desktop environment, the metrics and their thresholds are shown in the following screen shot; 19 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

39 7.1 Testing Summary End User Experience Testing Summary Stratusphere UX was used during each test run to gather data relating to User Experience and desktop performance. Data was gathered at the Host and Virtual Machine layers and reported back to a central server (Stratusphere Hub). The hub was then used to create a series of Comma Separated Values (.csv) reports which have then been used to generate graphs and summary tables of key information. In addition the Stratusphere Hub generates a magic quadrate style scatter plot showing the Machine and IO experience of the sessions. The Stratusphere hub was deployed onto the core network therefore its monitoring did not impact the servers being tested. The Stratusphere UX by User data shows that for almost all the tests 1% of users were rated as having a Good Users experience and those users which had a fair user experience were only just outside the Good category. It should be noted that total number of users for each test run typically exceeds the number of desktops available, the reason for this is that the Dell team found it was necessary to configure the Login VSI tool to launch more sessions than were actually needed since there is always a percentage of the users that fail to fully connect in every run, this is something that was noted by Login Consultants in their documentation. VDI UX is based on the following 9 metrics; User login, Application load time, CPU Queue, Page faults, Disk IOPS, Disk Queue, Network latency, Non responding applications and Incomplete connections. Each time the ConnectorID (CID) in the VDI sessions sends a report, Stratusphere associates a VDI UX score to the machine and the user logged in at the time. VDI UX classification for a time period is compiled based on the VDI UX ratings received for each CID (agent) report. So a few peaks could move a user overall rating from good to fair although the average values observed for that same time period are below the fair threshold. 7.2 Testing Testing Methodology The testing undertaken by the Dell DVS Engineering team was intended to provide a set of results that were as closely aligned with a production environment as possible within a lab 2 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

40 based environment. In addition multiple runs for each workload were completed to allow the team to understand and record any performance differences within the environment. Login VSI has two modes for launching user s sessions; Parallel o Sessions are launched from multiple launcher hosts in a round robin fashion; this mode is recommended by Login Consultants when running tests against multiple host servers. In parallel mode the VSI console is configured to launch a number of sessions over a specified time period (specified in seconds) Sequential o Sessions are launched from each launcher host in sequence, sessions are only started from a second host once all sessions have been launched on the first host, this is repeated for each launcher host. Sequential launching is recommended by Login Consultants when testing a single desktop host server. The VSI console is configure to launch a specified number of session at a specified interval specified in seconds All test runs were conducted using the Login VSI Parallel Launch mode, all sessions were launched over an hour to try and represent the typical 9am logon storm. Once the last user session has connected, the sessions are left to run for 15 minutes prior to the sessions being instructed to logout at the end of the current task sequence, this allows every user to complete a minimum of two task sequences within the run before logging out. The single server test runs were configured to launch user sessions every 6 seconds, as with the full bundle test runs sessions were left to run for 15 minutes after the last user connected prior to the sessions being instructed to log out User Workloads As defined in the Solution Architecture section of this document the solution has been tested against the Standard workload. Details of the vcpu and memory configuration for each of these workloads are defined within the Workload Characterization section. The tasks undertaken by the users in the Standard workload are outlined below; Standard Workload This workload emulates a medium knowledge working using Office, IE and PDF. Once a session has been started the medium workload will repeat every 12 minutes. During each loop the response time is measured every 2 minutes. The medium workload opens up to 5 apps simultaneously. The type rate is 16 ms for each character. Approximately 2 minutes of idle time is included to simulate realworld users. Each loop will open and use: Outlook 27, browse 1 messages. Internet Explorer, one instance is left open (BBC.co.uk), one instance is browsed to Wired.com, Lonelyplanet.com and heavy flash app gettheglass.com. Word 27, one instance to measure response time, one instance to review and edit document. Bullzip PDF Printer & Acrobat Reader, the word document is printed and reviewed to PDF. 21 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

41 Excel 27, a very large randomized sheet is opened. PowerPoint 27, a presentation is reviewed and edited. 7-zip: using the command line version the output of the session is zipped. 7.3 Test Results Large Appliance vsphere 5.1 Update 1 In testing with Intel Xeon Ivy Bridge processors under ESXi 5.1 Update 1, it was discovered that the vcenter statistics that we typically rely on for CPU Usage were skewed. In many cases the CPU MHz usage exceeded the rated MHz available for the sever, going over the 1% usage threshold during many tests. For instance, the E5-268v2 processor is shows in vcenter as supporting up to 56 MHz, which follows from its specifications of 2 processors with 1 cores each running at 28 MHz (2 * 2 * 28 = 56). However, many tests would show CPU Usage at 1% while the MHz in use would frequently exceed 56, reaching peaks near 64 in some cases. Due to this discrepancy, I produced additional charts for the CPU metric on ESXi to show the reported MHz usage and an adjusted Usage % that assumes a maximum of 64 MHz for the server. The adjusted Usage % is shown alongside the reported Usage % for comparison. Previous versions of Stratusphere UX reported erroneously high page faults on ESX VDI desktops during testing in previous iterations of the Puffin project. The current version of Stratusphere UX does not exhibit this problem, so no adjustments were made to the default thresholds for page faults. For each workload, at least 2 runs were performed. Only the latter of the 2 runs will be presented since results were essentially consistent between the two in every case. Because of confusion surrounding the skewed CPU metrics described above, I reduced the number of Basic desktops to 14 for these runs Basic User Workload (14 Users) In Figure 1 below, the Adjusted CPU Usage line shows a usage of about 7% in steady state. I believe this allows for more desktops to be allocated up to 15 Basic Users, where I predict Adjusted Usage would be closer to 8%. This number would be consistent with the test run on Hyper-V and XenServer which achieved a density of 15 users with excellent UX. UX for 14 users on ESXi was also excellent, with all desktops reporting GOOD UX. This also indicates room for more desktops up to the memory limit. These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results ESXi - 14 Basic Users - CPU % 17:26 17:36 17:46 17:56 18:6 18:16 18:26 18:36 18:46 18:56 19:6 19:16 19: ESXi - 14 Basic Users - Memory 17:26 17:36 17:46 17:56 18:6 18:16 18:26 18:36 18:46 18:56 19:6 19:16 19:26 Usage Adj Usage Active GB Granted GB 22 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

42 ESXi - 14 Basic Users - IOPS 17:26 17:36 17:46 17:56 18:6 18:16 18:26 18:36 18:46 18:56 19:6 19:16 19:26 Datastore - Total IOPS ESXi - 14 Basic Users - Network 17:26 17:36 17:46 17:56 18:6 18:16 18:26 18:36 18:46 18:56 19:6 19:16 19:26 Usage Standard User Workload (125 Users) At 125 Standard users, the UX results were excellent and Adjusted CPU usage was just below 8%. This indicated more density may be available above 125. Additional tests were run at 14 Standard Users and these showed an Adjusted Usage % of 9% at steady state, which is a bit high for acceptable standards, although the UX result was also excellent. In spite of the excellent UX result at 14 Standard users, a CPU usage near 8% is a more desirable density recommendation, so 125 remains. These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. 23 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

43 ESXi Basic Users - CPU % 14:12 14:22 14:32 14:42 14:52 15:2 15:12 15:22 15:32 15:42 15:52 16:2 16: ESXi Std Users - Memory 14:12 14:22 14:32 14:42 14:52 15:2 15:12 15:22 15:32 15:42 15:52 16:2 16:12 Usage Adj Usage Active GB Granted GB ESXi Std Users - IOPS 14:12 14:22 14:32 14:42 14:52 15:2 15:12 15:22 15:32 15:42 15:52 16:2 16:12 Datastore - Total IOPS ESXi Std Users - Network 14:12 14:22 14:32 14:42 14:52 15:2 15:12 15:22 15:32 15:42 15:52 16:2 16:12 Usage 24 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

44 Premium User Workload (114 Users) At 114 premium users the Adjusted CPU Usage was right under 8% and UX results were excellent, demonstrating that 114 desktops is the correct density for the Premium workload under this configuration. These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results ESXi Prem Users - CPU % 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 11:6 11:14 11:22 11:3 11:38 11:46 11:54 12:2 12:1 12: ESXi Prem Users - Memory 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 11:6 11:14 11:22 11:3 11:38 11:46 11:54 12:2 12:1 12:18 Usage Adj Usage Active GB Granted GB 25 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

45 ESXi Prem Users - IOPS 1:26 1:36 1:46 1:56 11:6 11:16 11:26 11:36 11:46 11:56 12:6 12:16 Datastore - Total IOPS ESXi Prem Users - Network 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 11:6 11:14 11:22 11:3 11:38 11:46 11:54 12:2 12:1 12:18 Usage GB PVD Standard Run (5 Users) Each desktop was configured to use a 1GB personal disk. The graphs below show the CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results from this validation. These test results are based on VIAB Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

46 Machine CPU Machine CPU Queue Machine Context Switches Good VDI UX - By Machine Machine Memory (MB) Machine Page Faults Machine Graphics Intensity Machine Disk IOPS Machine Network I/O (KB/s) Machine Total ANR Averages.6% Maximum.9% Minimum.32% Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Good VDI UX - By User Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Total ANR Average % Maximum % Minimum % Fair VDI UX - By User 27 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

47 Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Total ANR Average % Maximum % Minimum % Windows Server 212 Hyper-V Recent VDI density testing using Windows 8 on Windows Server 212 Hyper-V has generally shown a higher number of desktops than other hypervisors on the same hardware configurations. In Puffin 1.3 this is no exception, even running with Windows 7 SP1 desktops instead of Windows Basic desktops performed quite well with CPU usage around 8% and excellent UX. 125 Standard desktops also performed with similar results. 114 Premium desktops Basic User Workload (15 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results Hyper-V - 15 Basic Users - CPU :4 :13 :22 :31 :4 :49 :58 1:7 1:16 1:25 1:34 1:43 1:52 2:1 2:1 Total CPU Usage % Hyper-V - 15 Basic Users - Memory :4 :12 :2 :28 :36 :44 :52 1: 1:8 1:16 1:24 1:32 1:4 1:48 1:56 2:4 Memory - Used GB Hyper-V - 15 Basic Users - Disk IOPS :4 :14 :24 :34 :44 :54 1:4 1:14 1:24 1:34 1:44 1:54 2:4 Total IOPS Hyper-V - 15 Basic Users - Network :4 :13 :22 :31 :4 :49 :58 1:7 1:16 1:25 1:34 1:43 1:52 2:1 2:1 Total Network KBps 28 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

48 Standard User Workload (125 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results Hyper-V Std Users - CPU 8:5 8:14 8:23 8:32 8:41 8:5 8:59 9:8 9:17 9:26 9:35 9:44 9:53 1:2 Total CPU Usage % Hyper-V Std Users - Memory 8:5 8:14 8:23 8:32 8:41 8:5 8:59 9:8 9:17 9:26 9:35 9:44 9:53 1:2 Memory - Used GB 29 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

49 Hyper-V Std Users - Disk IOPS 8:5 8:14 8:23 8:32 8:41 8:5 8:59 9:8 9:17 9:26 9:35 9:44 9:53 1:2 Total IOPS Hyper-V Std Users - Network 8:5 8:14 8:23 8:32 8:41 8:5 8:59 9:8 9:17 9:26 9:35 9:44 9:53 1:2 Total Network KBps Premium User Workload (114 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. 3 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

50 Hyper-V Prem Users - CPU 1:56 11:4 11:12 11:2 11:28 11:36 11:44 11:52 12: 12:8 12:16 12:24 12:32 12:4 12:48 Total CPU Usage % Hyper-V Prem Users - Memory 1:56 11:4 11:12 11:2 11:28 11:36 11:44 11:52 12: 12:8 12:16 12:24 12:32 12:4 12:48 Memory - Used GB Hyper-V Prem Users - IOPS 1:56 11:5 11:14 11:23 11:32 11:41 11:5 11:59 12:8 12:17 12:26 12:35 12:44 12:53 Total IOPS Hyper-V Prem Users - Network 1:56 11:5 11:14 11:23 11:32 11:41 11:5 11:59 12:8 12:17 12:26 12:35 12:44 12:53 Total Network KBps 31 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

51 GB PVD Standard Run (5 Users) Each desktop was configured to use a 1GB personal disk. The graphs below show the CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results from this validation. These test results are based on VIAB 5.2 Good VDI UX - By Machine Machine CPU Machine CPU Queue Machine Context Switches Machine Memory (MB) Machine Page Faults Machine Graphics Intensity Machine Disk IOPS Machine Network I/O (KB/s) Averages.83% Maximum 1.14% Minimum.41% Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

52 Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) Good VDI UX - By User CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) Fair VDI UX - By User CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

53 7.3.3 XenServer 6.2 The predicted densities performed well on the Large XenServer but there was less apparent potential for higher densities due to somewhat worse UX results on heavier workloads. 15 Basic desktops had excellent UX with CPU usage under 8%. 125 Standard desktops showed GOOD UX, with just 1 FAIR and 1 missing. 114 premium desktops Basic User Workload (15 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results XenServer - 15 Basic Users - CPU 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:2 15:27 15:34 15:42 15:49 15:57 16:4 16:11 16:19 16:26 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) XenServer - 15 Basic Users - Memory 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:2 15:27 15:34 15:42 15:49 15:57 16:4 16:11 16:19 16:26 Memory Used (GB) XenServer - 15 Basic Users - Disk IOPS 14:25 14:34 14:43 14:52 15:2 15:12 15:21 15:3 15:39 15:48 15:57 16:6 16:15 16:24 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer - 15 Basic Users - Network 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:2 15:27 15:34 15:42 15:49 15:57 16:4 16:11 16:19 16:26 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) 34 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

54 Standard User Workload (125 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results XenServer Std Users - CPU 15:39 15:46 15:54 16:2 16:1 16:18 16:26 16:33 16:41 16:49 16:57 17:5 17:13 17:2 17:28 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) XenServer Std Users - Memory 15:39 15:46 15:54 16:2 16:1 16:18 16:26 16:33 16:41 16:49 16:57 17:5 17:13 17:2 17:28 Memory Used (GB) 35 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

55 XenServer Std Users - Disk IOPS 15:39 15:48 15:57 16:6 16:15 16:24 16:32 16:41 16:49 16:58 17:6 17:15 17:23 17:32 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer Std Users - Network 15:39 15:47 15:55 16:4 16:12 16:21 16:29 16:37 16:46 16:54 17:3 17:11 17:2 17:28 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) Premium User Workload (114 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. 36 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

56 XenServer Prem Users - CPU 22:11 22:18 22:26 22:34 22:42 22:5 22:58 23:5 23:13 23:21 23:29 23:37 23:45 23:52 : 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) XenServer Prem Users - Memory 22:11 22:18 22:26 22:34 22:42 22:5 22:58 23:5 23:13 23:21 23:29 23:37 23:45 23:52 : Memory Used (GB) XenServer Prem Users - IOPS 22:11 22:2 22:28 22:37 22:47 22:55 23:4 23:12 23:2 23:29 23:37 23:45 23:54 :3 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer Prem Users - Network 22:11 22:18 22:26 22:34 22:42 22:5 22:58 23:5 23:13 23:21 23:29 23:37 23:45 23:52 : 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) 37 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

57 GB PVD Standard Run (5 Users) Each desktop was configured to use a 1GB personal disk.the graphs below show the CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results from this validation. These test results are based on VIAB Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

58 Good VDI UX - By Machine Machine CPU Machine CPU Queue Machine Context Switches Machine Memory (MB) Machine Page Faults Machine Graphics Intensity Machine Disk IOPS Machine Network I/O (KB/s) Averages 1.26% Maximum 1.53% Minimum.76% Good VDI UX - By User Login Duration (s) App Load Time (s) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Login Duration (s) App Load Time (s) Fair VDI UX - By User CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

59 7.4 Test Results Small Appliance ESXi 5.1 Update 1 In testing the Small (formerly 5-user) ESXi appliance there was a similar inconsistency in the CPU Usage measurement as there was in the Large ESXi appliance testing. The E5-264v2 processor should have 32 MHz to offer according to its specs (2 processors * 8 cores * 2 MHz). This is only 2 MHz more than the E5-264 (Sandy Bridge) with (2 processors * 6 cores * 25 MHz) = 3 MHz. The CPU Usage again would often exceed 32 MHz and 1% measured usage, so I applied an adjustment to the CPU Usage % assuming that the real 1% level is 36 MHz. The Adjusted Usage is called out in the charts as in the Large appliance ESXI charts. With these caveats, the predicted densities performed well on ESXi with excellent UX results, except for the Standard 7 user run that had a few FAIR desktops Basic User Workload (75 Users) In this run there was a mistake in collecting the IOPS data and the file was unusable and could not be regenerated. The other test run was also unusable, so Run 1 is presented without IOPS. These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. ESXi - 75 Basic Users - CPU % ESXi - 75 Basic Users - Memory :12 16:2 16:28 16:36 16:44 16:52 17: 17:8 17:16 17:24 17:32 17:4 17:48 17: :12 16:2 16:28 16:36 16:44 16:52 17: 17:8 17:16 17:24 17:32 17:4 17:48 17:56 Usage Adj Usage Active GB Granted GB NO IOPS MEASUREMENTS AVAILABLE IN THIS RUN ESXi - 75 Basic Users - Network 16:12 16:16 16:2 16:24 16:28 16:32 16:36 16:4 16:44 16:48 16:52 16:56 17: 17:4 17:8 17:12 17:16 17:2 17:24 17:28 17:32 17:36 17:4 17:44 17:48 17:52 17:56 Usage 4 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

60 Standard User Workload (7 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. ESXi - 7 Std Users - CPU % ESXi - 7 Std Users - Memory :16 9:24 9:32 9:4 9:48 9:56 1:4 1:12 1:2 1:28 1:36 1:44 1:52 11: :16 9:24 9:32 9:4 9:48 9:56 1:4 1:12 1:2 1:28 1:36 1:44 1:52 11: Usage New Usage Active GB Granted GB 41 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

61 ESXi - 7 Std Users - IOPS 9:16 9:24 9:32 9:4 9:48 9:56 1:4 1:12 1:2 1:28 1:36 1:44 1:52 11: Datastore - Total IOPS ESXi - 7 Std Users - Network 9:16 9:24 9:32 9:4 9:48 9:56 1:4 1:12 1:2 1:28 1:36 1:44 1:52 11: Usage Premium User Workload (56 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. 42 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

62 ESXi - 56 Prem Users - CPU % 14:6 14:14 14:22 14:3 14:38 14:46 14:54 15:2 15:1 15:18 15:26 15:34 15: ESXi - 56 Prem Users - Memory 14:6 14:14 14:22 14:3 14:38 14:46 14:54 15:2 15:1 15:18 15:26 15:34 15:42 Usage Adj Usage Active GB Granted GB ESXi - 56 Prem Users - IOPS 14:6 14:14 14:22 14:3 14:38 14:46 14:54 15:2 15:1 15:18 15:26 15:34 15:42 Datastore - Total IOPS ESXi - 56 Prem Users - Network 14:6 14:14 14:22 14:3 14:38 14:46 14:54 15:2 15:1 15:18 15:26 15:34 15:42 Usage 43 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

63 7.4.2 Windows Server 212 Hyper-V Windows Server 212 Hyper-V once again shows its ability to keep CPU Usage low in this series of tests. The Basic load with 75 Users only required 45% of the total CPU in steady state, so I decided to run the Standard test with 75 users as well. At 75 Standard users, the test used only about 55% of the CPU but still performed with a GOOD UX, although 5 desktops showed FAIR results Basic User Workload (75 Users) Hyper-V - 75 Basic Users - CPU 1:2 1:1 1:18 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 2:6 2:14 2:22 2:3 2:38 2:46 Total CPU Usage % Hyper-V - 75 Basic Users - Memory 1:2 1:1 1:18 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 2:6 2:14 2:22 2:3 2:38 2:46 Memory - Used GB Hyper-V - 75 Basic Users - Disk IOPS 1:2 1:1 1:18 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 2:6 2:14 2:22 2:3 2:38 2:46 Total IOPS Hyper-V - 75 Basic Users - Network 1:2 1:1 1:18 1:26 1:34 1:42 1:5 1:58 2:6 2:14 2:22 2:3 2:38 2:46 Total Network KBps 44 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

64 45 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

65 Standard User Workload (7 Users) These graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results Hyper-V - 75 Std Users - CPU 21:1 21:18 21:26 21:34 21:42 21:5 21:58 22:6 22:14 22:22 22:3 22:38 22:46 22: Hyper-V - 75 Std Users - Memory 21:1 21:18 21:26 21:34 21:42 21:5 21:58 22:6 22:14 22:22 22:3 22:38 22:46 22:54 Total CPU Usage % Memory - Used GB Hyper-V - 75 Std Users - Disk IOPS 21:1 21:18 21:26 21:34 21:42 21:5 21:58 22:6 22:14 22:22 22:3 22:38 22:46 22:54 Total IOPS Hyper-V - 75 Std Users - Network 21:1 21:18 21:26 21:34 21:42 21:5 21:58 22:6 22:14 22:22 22:3 22:38 22:46 22:54 Total Network KBps 46 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

66 Premium User Workload (56 Users) The graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results Hyper-V - 56 Prem Users - CPU 14:2 14:9 14:16 14:23 14:3 14:37 14:44 14:51 14:58 15:5 15:12 15:19 15:26 15:33 15: Hyper-V - 56 Prem Users - Memory 14:2 14:9 14:16 14:23 14:3 14:37 14:44 14:51 14:58 15:5 15:12 15:19 15:26 15:33 15:4 Total CPU Usage % Memory - Used GB 47 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

67 Hyper-V - 56 Prem Users - Disk IOPS 14:2 14:1 14:18 14:26 14:34 14:42 14:5 14:58 15:6 15:14 15:22 15:3 15:38 Total IOPS Hyper-V - 56 Prem Users - Network 14:2 14:9 14:16 14:23 14:3 14:37 14:44 14:51 14:58 15:5 15:12 15:19 15:26 15:33 15:4 Total Network KBps GB PVD Standard Run (3 Users) Each desktop was configured to use a 1GB personal disk.the graphs below show the CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results from this validation. These test results are based on VIAB Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

68 Good VDI UX - By Machine Machine CPU Machine CPU Queue Machine Context Switches Machine Memory (MB) Machine Page Faults Machine Graphics Intensity Machine Disk IOPS Machine Network I/O (KB/s) Averages 1.61% Maximum 2.12% Minimum 1.% Good VDI UX - By User Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Fair VDI UX - By User 49 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

69 Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

70 7.4.3 XenServer 6.2 Tests on the Small XenServer appliance were merely acceptable at best due to a higher proportion of FAIR UX results than in any other set of tests. It is not clear why the UX was significantly worse, except that the Login Delay was typically much higher on XenServer than on Hyper-V or ESXi according to the Stratusphere UX Machine Inspection report. For the Standard 7 User test, the results were clearly NOT acceptable, with 36 FAIR, 29 GOOD and 5 missing. However, the CPU, memory and other host statistics were all in healthy ranges, so this result is still unexplained.. Due to this result XenServer should only support 6 to 65 Standard users, not 7. The Basic and Premium test both had a few FAIR results but were acceptable overall Basic User Workload (75 Users) The graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results XenServer - 75 Basic Users - CPU 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:1 15:9 15:16 15:23 15:31 15:38 15:45 15:53 16: 16: XenServer - 75 Basic Users - Memory 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:1 15:9 15:16 15:23 15:31 15:38 15:45 15:53 16: 16:7 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) Memory Used (GB) XenServer - 75 Basic Users - Disk IOPS 14:25 14:32 14:4 14:49 14:59 15:7 15:14 15:22 15:29 15:36 15:44 15:51 15:58 16:6 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer - 75 Basic Users - Network 14:25 14:32 14:39 14:47 14:54 15:1 15:9 15:16 15:23 15:31 15:38 15:45 15:53 16: 16:7 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) 51 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

71 Standard User Workload (7 Users) The graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results XenServer - 7 Std Users - CPU 9:33 9:4 9:47 9:54 1:1 1:8 1:16 1:23 1:3 1:37 1:44 1:51 1:59 11:6 11: XenServer - 7 Std Users - Memory 9:33 9:4 9:47 9:54 1:1 1:8 1:16 1:23 1:3 1:37 1:44 1:51 1:59 11:6 11:13 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) Memory Used (GB) 52 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

72 XenServer - 7 Std Users - Disk IOPS 9:33 9:41 9:49 9:58 1:7 1:16 1:24 1:31 1:38 1:45 1:53 11: 11:7 11:14 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer - 7 Std Users - Network 9:33 9:4 9:47 9:54 1:1 1:8 1:16 1:23 1:3 1:37 1:44 1:51 1:59 11:6 11:13 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) Premium User Workload (56 Users) The graphs show CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results. 53 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

73 XenServer - 56 Prem Users - CPU 1: 1:7 1:14 1:21 1:28 1:35 1:42 1:49 1:56 11:3 11:1 11:17 11:25 11:32 11:39 5 per. Mov. (Average CPU Usage %) XenServer - 56 Prem Users - Memory 1: 1:7 1:14 1:21 1:28 1:35 1:42 1:49 1:56 11:3 11:1 11:17 11:25 11:32 11:39 Memory Used (GB) XenServer - 56 Prem Users - Disk IOPS 1: 1:7 1:15 1:23 1:32 1:39 1:47 1:54 11:1 11:8 11:15 11:22 11:3 11:38 5 per. Mov. (Total IOPS) XenServer - 56 Prem Users - Network 1: 1:7 1:14 1:21 1:28 1:35 1:42 1:49 1:56 11:3 11:1 11:17 11:25 11:32 11:39 5 per. Mov. (Network Total (KBps)) 54 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

74 GB PVD Standard Run (3 Users) Each desktop was configured to use a 1GB personal disk. The graphs below show the CPU, memory, local disk IOPS, network and VDI UX scatter plot results from this validation. These test results are based on VIAB 5.2. Good VDI UX - By Machine Machine CPU Machine CPU Queue Machine Context Switches Machine Memory (MB) Machine Page Faults Machine Graphics Intensity Machine Disk IOPS Machine Network I/O (KB/s) Averages 4.57% Maximum 9.5% Minimum 2.16% Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

75 Good VDI UX - By User Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Fair VDI UX - By User Login Duration (s) App Load Time (ms) CPU Memory Graphics Intensity Disk IOPS Network I/O (KB/s) Average % Maximum % Minimum % Summary of Test Results After testing, taking into account problems with measuring CPU Usage on ESXi and the adjustments made for that, and the problems with XenServer on the Small Appliance, the test results are summarized as follows: Large Appliance VMware ESXi: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 14 ~7% 1% GOOD Standard 125 ~8% 1% GOOD Premium 114 ~8% 1% GOOD Large Appliance Microsoft Hyper-V: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 15 ~8% 1% GOOD Standard 125 ~8% 1% GOOD Premium 114 ~85% 1% GOOD Large Appliance Citrix XenServer: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 15 ~75% 1% GOOD Standard 125 ~75% 99% GOOD Premium 114 ~75% 1% GOOD 56 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

76 Small Appliance VMware ESXi: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 75 ~7% 1% GOOD Standard 7 ~85% 97% GOOD Premium 56 < 8% 1% GOOD Small Appliance Microsoft Hyper-V: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 75 ~45% 1% GOOD Standard 75 ~55% 93% GOOD Premium 56 ~45% 1% GOOD Small Appliance Citrix XenServer: Workload Density CPU Usage UX Result Basic 75 ~8% 8% GOOD Standard 7 ~8% 55% FAIR Premium 56 ~8% 87% GOOD Recommendations Based on these tests we recommend the following densities: Large Appliance: Workload VMware ESXi MS Hyper-V XenServer Basic Standard Premium Small Appliance: Workload VMware ESXi MS Hyper-V XenServer Basic Standard Premium Since 7 Standard users was clearly too much for the Small XenServer appliance to handle, and the other Small appliances showed a little stress at that density, I recommend reducing the Standard Density for the Small appliances across the board to 63, which is about half of 125, and is still an improvement over 5 (Puffin 1.2) of 26%. 57 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

77 8 High Availability 8.1 DVS Simplified Appliance Resiliency In the event of a server failure, VDI-in-a-Box provides built-in high-availability without requiring shared storage. The grid architecture maintains fault-tolerance via redundancy so that if any server on the grid fails others can pick-up the workload. These multiple grid servers can be linked together to automatically provide this high availability as well as the brokering and load management of all the connections across the grid. Users connected to desktops hosted on a failed server will lose their desktop connection. When users re-login to connect to their desktop, the system will re-authenticate the user and will attempt to connect the user to a new desktop running on a live server. Upon logon, the system automatically migrates the workload to an active server on the grid. To avoid data loss, network file sharing is recommended. Additionally, in instances where data is mission critical, additional HA protection solutions may be implemented. In order to accomplish the scenario described above, the solution uses an N+1 model with hot sparing. This means the server infrastructure must be designed to include a spare server to support failover. For proper set up, the infrastructure must include servers to accommodate all required desktops for the organization, plus one additional server that is equal in capacity to the largest server in the grid for high availability usage. Regardless of deployment size only one (1) extra server is required for failover. 58 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

78 9 Customer Provided Stack Components 9.1 Customer Provided Switching Requirements When a customer provides his or her own rack network switching solution for a DVS Simplified Appliance -based solution, the following minimum hardware requirements must be met. Feature Minimum Requirement Notes Switching Capacity 18Gbps 1Gbps Ports None Required The DVS Simplified Appliance solution is based on 1Gbps network connectivity. 1Gbps Ports VLAN Support Stacking Capability 1x for Hypervisor Management 1x for Hardware Management 1x for Virtual Desktop Access IEEE 82.1Q tagging and port-based VLAN support. Optional 59 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

79 Conclusion The DVS Simplified Appliance is a simple, practical VDI appliance designed specifically to address the business and technical needs for mid-sized virtual desktop deployments so you can unlock innovation in the virtual era. The appliance integrates pre-configured Dell PowerEdge 12G servers with factory installed Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 5.3 software simplifying implementation and accelerating your time to value. Dell Cloud Client Computing is a true end to end solution combining Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions (DVS), composed of Dell data center components, virtualization and management software from Citrix and Microsoft, with the portfolio of Dell Wyse software and with powerful end points including Dell Wyse thin, zero and cloud clients. In that way, Dell is giving you the power to do more. The Dell Team is with you every step of the way to ensure extremely high levels of performance that meet or exceed users legacy desktop experience. Your Dell sales representative will help you work through any remaining questions or provide any additional information. 6 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture

80 About the Authors Peter Fine is the Sr. Principal Engineering Architect for Citrix-based solutions in the Desktop Virtualization Solutions group at Dell. Peter has extensive experience and expertise on the broader Microsoft, Citrix and VMware solutions software stacks as well as in enterprise virtualization, storage, networking and enterprise datacenter design. Rick Biedler is the Solutions Development Manager for Citrix solutions in the Desktop Virtualization Solutions Group at Dell, managing the development and delivery of Enterprise class Desktop virtualization solutions based on Dell Datacenter components and core virtualization platforms. Geoff Dillon is a Solutions Engineer in the Desktop Virtualization Solutions Group at Dell with deep Citrix experience and validation expertise of Dell s DVS enterprise VDI solutions. Jerry Van Blaricom is a Sr. Systems Engineer in the Desktop Virtualization Solutions Group at Dell. Jerry has extensive experience with the design and implementation of a broad range of enterprise systems and is focused on making Dell s virtualization offerings consistently best in class. 61 Dell DVS Simplified Appliance Reference Architecture