MODULE 4: DESKTOP MANAGEMENT
Agenda
• Desktop deployment
– Options and process
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Persistent vs Non-Persistent Desktops
Template Usage
Desktop Configuration Options
Maintenance Windows
Searching and filtering
UNDERSTANDING DESKTOP
DEPLOYMENT
Desktop Deployment
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VM is created
Personalization layer created
‘Boot’ Image created (BIC)
VM reconfigured
VM Powered on
Windows Mini-Setup executes
Registration with broker (more in Module 5)
Non-persistent reboot
VM Created
• VM hardware settings
– Memory, CPU, network, OS Type, etc
• VM Name in vCenter
• The VM is just a shell at this point. Once the
VM itself is created Unidesk begins the
process of making is an operational VM
Boot Image Creation (BIC)
• “Boot” image VMDK is
wiped
• Files needed prior to
CFS/NTFS start are copied
from layers to “boot”
image
• Registry is composited
(Blended) and put on
“boot” image
• Boot image is connected
to VM as first Disk
Personalization Layer
App layer
App layer
App layer
App layer
O/S layer
BIC of a NEW Desktops
Connect MM “boot” disk to CP for updates – You will see reconfigure tasks in vCenter
Repartition and Format (Zero to Boot Image out)
OS Layer Bootfiles and Registry and copied (based on bootfiles needed before CFS loads)
Iterate through each layer copying bootfiles (App Layers and Pers Layer)
Iterate through each layer reading the registry changes in to the boot image
Reconnects the boot image to the VM and readies for Power On
Power On and Mini-Setup
• At this point the Pers Layer is a PERSISTENT
disk
• VM is powered on
• Desktop begins mini-setup reading
Unattend.xml
• Depending on unattend.xml configuration and
desktop type VM may reboot once or twice.
• This runs ONCE only for any machine!
Broker Registration
• Each broker’s registration process is slightly
different. But keys are as follows:
– Happens after mini-setup runs
– Must have DNS working and firewall ports open
– Non-pers desktops will have registration come
BEFORE the Disk is “flipped” to non-persistent
• More on brokers in Module 5
Persistent/Non-Persistent
• Simple difference is that the Personalization
Layer is changed to an independent nonpersistent disk
• Unidesk looks for logout of user and powers
off the VM
• Broker has power options turned on and
powers the machine back on
• This hard restart “flushes” the non-persistent
disk
Pers vs Non-Pers Desktop
Desktop Configuration Options
• Non-Unidesk settings:
– Broker/ Pool configuration
– Desktop Name
– Network
– OS Type (for VMware)
– Number of CPUs
– Memory (VM RAM)
– Pagefile size (Windows)
– Core Dump Type (Windows)
Desktop Configuration Options
• Unidesk Specific Settings:
– Template
– CachePoint or Cluster assignment
– Persistent or Non-Persistent
– OS Layer and App Layers
– Pers Layer size (thin provisioned) and backup
settings
– Desktop Maintenance Schedule
LAB
DESKTOP CREATION
UNIDESK TEMPLATES
Unidesk Templates
• Templates are basically
a bill of materials for
the desktop
• Contains both Unidesk
and non-Unidesk info
• Not all options have to
be configured
• Templates can be tied
to a pool, but don’t
have to be
Template Uses
• Used to build new desktops
• Used in Searching and Filtering to update
desktops (based on a specific template or
template association w/ a pool)
• In later versions will be used to configure
Power Management and Power State options
LAB
CREATING AND USING A TEMPLATE
MAINTENANCE WINDOWS
Maintenance Windows
• Created in the Settings and Configuration tab within
System Settings
• Dictates desktop update behavior based on:
– Day of the week
– Time of the day
– Status of desktop (in use or not)
• There are 3 default Maint. Windows defined
– 24x7 – wait for user to logoff
– System Default Maint. Schedule (9pm-5am & Weekends)
– Weekends
In Use/Status Option
• When a user has logged out…
– Means they have logged out NOT just
disconnected
– Must be logged out for 10 minutes minimum
• As soon as possible
– Means even if the user is logged in they get logged
out for this update.
Maint. Window Options - Desktop Editing
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Use existing maint. Schedule set for desktop
Execute right now!
Specify a time and date regardless of status
At next user log out
LAB
CREATING AND USING
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
SEARCHING AND FILTERING FOR
DESKTOP UPDATES
Search Wizard…
Search Wizard
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Contains these words = computer names or owners
Have owners in this group = AD or Unidesk Groups
CachePoint = Currently associated w/ a specific CP
Maintenance Schedule = Self Explanatory
Are Using this:
– Template = Using that specific template or version
– Layer = Using that specific layer or version
• Has pending configuration changes
Beware
• Beware of the non-wild card, wild card…
• Search terms do not use wild cards. A Search
for Zoo will return both Zoo and Zoom
• Search on longer names when possible not
just fragments:
– MS Office instead of Off
LAB
FILTERING AND DESKTOP UPDATES
QUESTIONS YOU MAY SEE AGAIN
• When updating a desktop what are the options
available for the maintenance window?
• You are asked to deploy 50 identical desktops
over the next month, what is the easiest way to
do this?
• Can you have a template with no broker
configuration defined?
• You notice your non-persistent desktops reboot
after they are built. Is this normal? If so Why?