stop Internet connection sharing (ICS) service.
Try reinstalling Cisco anyconnect. It worked for me
Navigate Windows Explorer More Quickly with These Keyboard Shortcuts
Tip:Navigate Windows Explorer More Quickly with These Keyboard Shortcuts
These special keyboard shortcuts are designed to help you navigate Windows Explorer more easily.
Ctrl+N Open a new window on the same folder. Ctrl+W Close the current window. Alt+Up Arrow Go up one level. Alt+Right Arrow Go forward. Alt+Left Arrow Go back. Alt+D Move the focus to the address bar, and select the current path. F4 Move the insertion point to the address bar, and display the contents of the drop-down list of previous addresses. Alt+Enter Show properties of the selected file. Shift+F10 Open the shortcut menu for the current selection (which is the same as a right-click). F6 Cycle through the following elements: address bar, toolbar, navigation pane, file list, column headings (available in Details view only). Tab Cycle through the following elements: address bar, search box, toolbar, navigation pane, file list, column headings (available in Details view only). F11 Toggle full-screen mode. Ctrl+Shift+N Create a new subfolder in the current folder. Ctrl+Shift+E Expand navigation pane to the current folder. |
1. Managing ‘Windows’ in Windows 7 | |
Source: Managing Windows 7 shortcuts Uploaded by bernd, updated on 5/12/2013 by appu |
Move and Resize Active Window | |
Win+Arrow Down | Set window to Restored (if Maximized) or Minimized (if Restored) |
Win+Arrow Up | Maximize window (if Restored) |
Win+Shift+Arrow Down/Win+Shift+Arrow Up | Maximize Restored window vertically / Restore window to previous state |
Win+Arrow Right/Win+Arrow Left | Move Restored window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors |
Win+Shift+Arrow Right/Win+Shift+Arrow Left | Move window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors |
Alt+Space | Opens the title bar menu |
Alt+Space+Enter | Restore Window |
Alt+Space+x | Maximize Window |
Alt+Space+n | Minimize Window |
F11 | Turn full page view on or off |
‘Maximized’ means full screen, ‘Restored’ means variable window size, and ‘Minimized’ means minimized to taskbar. |
Switch between Applications | |
Alt+tab, alt+Shift+Tab | Cycles through open programs in taskbar. Hold alt and continuously press tab to move forward between applications. Release keys to switch to application selected. Add shift to reverse direction. |
Alt+Ctrl+tab, then use arrow keys to select application | Cycles through open programs in taskbar without needing to hold alt continuously. Press alt+ctrl+tab once, then continue with arrow keys and press enter on application. |
Alt+Esc/Alt+Shift+Esc | Cycle through programs on taskbar in the order they were opened or accessed |
Win+Tab | Cycle through programs using Aero Flip 3D |
Ctrl+Win+Tab | Cycle through programs on Taskbar using Aero Flip 3D |
Win+g | Cycle through Gadget Window |
Manage Multiple Windows | |
Win+d | Minimize all windows on all Monitors. Press again to restore previous state |
Win+m | Minimize all windows on current Monitor |
Win+Shift+m | Restore previously minimized windows on current Monitor |
Win+Home | Set all windows to Minimized on current Monitor except active |
Win+Space | Preview Desktop / make windows transparent (May not work with all Settings) |
2. Accessing Windows Features | |
Win+e | Start Windows Explorer (in My Computer) |
Win+r | Open the Run window |
Win+f | Open Windows Search. f3 on empty desktop works, too. |
Win+l | Lock the keyboard/ computer |
Win+F1 | Display Windows Help |
Alt+Shift | Change keyboard language layout if multiple language layouts are active* |
shift when inserting CD or DVD | Prevent CD or DVD from automatically playing |
Win+p | Choose Presentation Display Mode |
Win+x | Open Mobility Center |
* When working with multiple Keyboards Layouts (e.g. Spanish/English/German). Add unlimited Layouts under Regional settings and activate language bar in Taskbar to see current language. Switch with shortcut any time. |
3. Windows 7 Taskbar | |
win or ctrl+Esc | Activate Start Button. Then use arrow keys, space and enter to navigate within Start Menu |
Win+t | Go to first item in taskbar, continue with arrow keys |
Win+b | Go to first item in system tray |
Shift+click on a taskbar item | Start new instance of taskbar item |
Ctrl+Shift+click on a taskbar item | Start new instance of taskbar item as administrator |
Shift+right-click on a taskbar item | Show the window menu for the program |
Win+1…9 | Switch to application in position N on taskbar (or launch pinned application) |
Shift+Win+1…9 | Start new instance of taskbar item in position N on taskbar |
Unfortunately, Microsoft removed the possibility to select multiple taskbar items in Windows 7 |
4. Navigating Desktop | |
Arrow Keys | Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop) |
Home/End | Select first / select last object on desktop |
Enter | Launch active icon |
Shift+F10 | Activate context menu of active icon by simulates right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z and enter to select item |
tab, shift+tab on empty desktop | Navigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter or space to activate specific icons |
a, b, c, … | Pressing the initial letter of the name of any objects will highlight the respective application or folder. Continue typing the object name if multiple objects start with the same letter |
5. Windows Explorer |
Basics | |
Win+e | Start Windows Explorer (My Computer) |
Alt+Arrow Up | Go up one folder |
Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right | Go to previous folder / go to next folder |
Tab/Shift+Tab | Switch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List) |
Alt+d or f4 | Jump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired |
Ctrl+e or ctrl+f | Jump to Search Box in Explorer |
Ctrl+n | Open new instance of Windows Explorer |
F11 | Maximize window |
Navigate File List and Navigation Pane | |
Arrow Keys | Navigate between files and folders |
Enter | Open folder or start application |
Home/End | Jump to first / jump to last item |
F2 | Change the file name of active item |
f2, then arrow left/Arrow Right | Move one character to the left / to the right in item name |
f2, then ctrl+Arrow Left/Ctrl+Arrow Right | Jump one word to the left / to the right of item name |
f2, then home /End | Jump to beginning / jump to end of item name |
f2, then ctrl+a | Select complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix) |
Arrow Left/Arrow Right | Expand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only) |
File List | |
Alt+p | Display or hide Preview Pane |
Alt+v then d | View details. Check View menu for more options |
Alt+v then x | View extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options |
Ctrl+mouse scroll wheel | Change size of icons |
Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane | |
Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down | Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below) |
ctrl with arrow keys and space | Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection |
Ctrl+a | Select all |
a …z and 1..9 | Press the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter |
Manipulate Items in Explorer | |
Ctrl+c, ctrl+x, ctrl+v | ctrl+c for copy, ctrl+x for cut and ctrl+v for paste |
Ctrl+z | Undo an action |
Ctrl+y | Redo an action |
Delete | Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin |
Shift+Delete | Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin |
Shift+F10 | Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z and enter to get to the selection |
Ctrl+Shift+n | Create new folder |
Alt+Enter | Open Properties dialog box |
6. Photo Viewer | |
Arrow Left/Arrow Right | Go to next / go to previous photo |
Ctrl+. | Rotate photo clockwise |
Ctrl+, | Rotate photo counter-clockwise |
[+]/- | Zoom in / zoom out (or mouse wheel) |
Ctrl+0 (zero) | Fit to Window |
Delete | Delete current photo |
Shift+Delete | Permanently delete current photo |
Alt+Enter | Show properties of current photo |
Alt+e or ctrl+s | Email current photo |
Ctrl+c | Copy current photo file to clipboard |
Alt+o | Open current photo in other application (e.g. Paint of Office) |
7. Dialog Boxes | |
Ctrl+Tab/Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Move forward / move backwards through tabs |
Tab/Shift+Tab | Move forward / move backwards through options |
Alt+underlined letter | Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter |
Enter | Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands |
Space | Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box |
Arrow Keys | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons |
F4 | Display the items in the active list |
Backspace | Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box |
8. Windows Admin |
Admin Tasks | |
Ctrl+Win+f | Search for Computers (with Active Directory activated) |
Win+pause/break | Display System Properties which holds system properties, computer name, device manager and so on |
Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Opens Windows Task Manager |
Remote Desktop | |
Alt+Page Up/Alt+Page Down | Move between programs from left to right / from right to left |
Alt+Insert | Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in |
Alt+Home | Display the Start menu |
Ctrl+Alt+pause/break | Switch between a window and full screen |
Ctrl+Alt+End | Display the Windows Security dialog box |
Alt+Delete | Display the system menu |
9. Windows Help | |
Tab | Move between links |
Alt+c | Display the Table of Contents |
Alt+n | Display the Connection Settings menu |
F10 | Display the Options menu |
Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right | Move back / move forward to the previously/ next viewed topic |
Alt+a | Display the customer support page |
Alt+Home | Display the Help and Support home page |
Home/End | Move to the beginning / to the end of a topic |
Ctrl+f | Search the current topic. Press tab to leave |
Ctrl+p | Print a topic |
F3 | Move the cursor to the search box. Press tab to leave |
10 Ease of Access and Magnifier |
Ease of Access | |
Win+u | Open Ease of Access Center |
Press shift five times. | Turn Sticky Keys on or off |
Press num lock for five seconds | Turn Toggle Keys on or off |
Right shift for eight seconds | Turn Filter Keys on or off |
left alt + left shift +Num Lock | Turn Mouse Keys on or off |
left alt + left shift + prtScn | Turn High Contract on or off (Careful, will change theme!) |
Magnifier | |
Win+[+] | Start Magnifier and zoom in |
Win+- | Zoom out with Magnifier active |
Ctrl+Alt+i | Invert colors in Magnifier display |
Win+Esc | Exit Magnifier |
Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys | Move the Magnifier windows |
Source: Microsoft Windows website
I’ve always liked that Windows gives me multiple ways to perform popular tasks. Say you want to print something. You could go to the File menu and select the Print command, or you can press the Ctrl button and the letter P. Ctrl+P is just one example of a keyboard shortcut. Shortcuts combine two or more keys to do something special that neither key does alone.
I prefer to use shortcuts whenever possible. It’s kind of amazing how much time you can save by cutting out mouse clicks. Here are my top 20 shortcuts that you might not know about—but should.
There are certain shortcuts I use all day, every day. They work whether I’m doing stuff with photos, music, documents, or spreadsheets.
Chances are, you use your PC to do a lot of things at once. Shortcuts go a long way towards cutting the clutter. Go ahead and try these out as you read about them.
Press Alt+Tab to switch between open windows
Use this shortcut when you want to minimize a lot of open windows at once to check something on your desktop. Clutter-to-clean with two fingers.
A desktop before pressing Windows logo key+D
The same desktop after pressing Windows logo key+D
Minimizing a window is a surefire way to see what’s underneath it. And it’s fast to use the shortcut. If the window is maximized already (covering the entire screen) it’ll go to “normal” size. And if it’s normal size, it’ll minimize entirely.
Maximizing windows works the same way.
It might surprise you to learn that there are even more options when it comes to dealing with your open windows and programs—but there are.
Snap is the easiest way I know to compare two documents—or to write up something while also looking at a web browser. The shortcut for Snap makes it even snappier. Go ahead and try this now.
While pressing the Windows logo key , click the Right Arrow key or the Left Arrow key and your browser will slide over to one side. Select another window (such as a Word document) and use the shortcut only with the opposite arrow.
You can use a keyboard shortcut to view windows side-by-side with Snap
Do you use more than one monitor at a time? Now you can shift an open window to your other monitor in less than a second.
You might already be using a shortcut—Ctrl+Alt+Delete—to open up Task Manager or to lock your computer. But there are shortcuts for this shortcut.
Task Manager in Windows 7
This shortcut locks your PC and instantly displays the login screen.
No matter how you want to view your PC, shortcuts help you get there faster.
Whether you’re giving a presentation or are using multiple monitors, it’s simple to switch settings.
Choosing a presentation display mode
The Plus Sign key (+) zooms you in, the Minus Sign key (-) zooms you out. This lets you see small text on a webpage or to check out the pixels in a photo.
You can use your keyboard to zoom in on a photo detail
Here are a few final shortcuts. For more keyboard shortcuts, check out the complete list.
In the past, finding a file could be like an archaeology expedition. But nowadays, search is really fast and thorough. Use this shortcut to get a search window, type in a few keywords, and presto, you’ll get your file.
I like Internet Explorer tabs—but sometimes I want a whole new browser window. To get one, I click the Internet Explorer icon while holding down Shift.
It’s the simplest shortcut out there. When all else fails, and you’re just not sure what to do, press F1.
Source ss64,com, MSBlog
Office Deployment Support Team Blog
How to discover Office and Windows KMS hosts via DNS and remove unauthorized instances
Source: TheWindowsClub.com written by View Licensing Status and Activation ID of your Windows OS
slmgr – Software Licensing Management Tool | Windows CMD | SS64.com
External articles: WindowsITPro.com
Software Licensing Management Tool. Windows Activation and Key Management Service (KMS)
Syntax slmgr [MachineName [Username Password]] [Option] Key machinename The machine to administer, by default the current local machine. username An administrator equivalent user account for the remote computer. password The password for the user account on the remote computer. /ato Activate Windows license and product key against Microsoft's server. /atp Confirmation_ID Activate Windows with user-provided Confirmation ID /ckms Clear the name of KMS server used to default and port to default. /cpky Clear product key from the registry (prevents disclosure attacks) /dli Display the current license information with activation status and partial product key. /dlv Verbose, similar to -dli but with more information. /dti Display Installation ID for offline activation /ipk Key Enter a new product key supplied as xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /ilc License_file Install license /rilc Re-install system license files /rearm Reset the evaluation period/licensing status and activation state of the machine /skms activationservername:port Set the Volume Licensing KMS server and/or the port used for KMS activation (where supported by your Windows edition) /skhc Enable KMS host caching (default), this blocks the use of DNS priority and weight after the initial discovery of a working KMS host. If the system can no longer contact the working KMS host, discovery will be attempted again. /ckhc Disable KMS host caching. This setting instructs the client to use DNS auto-discovery each time it attempts KMS activation (recommended when using priority and weight) /sai interval Sets the interval in minutes for unactivated clients to attempt KMS connection. The activation interval must be between 15 minutes and 30 days, although the default (2 hours) is recommended. The KMS client initially picks up this interval from the registry but switches to the KMS setting after the first KMS response has been received. /sri interval Sets the renewal interval in minutes for activated clients to attempt KMS connection. The renewal interval must be between 15 minutes and 30 days. This option is set initially on both the KMS server and client sides. The default is 10080 minutes (7 days). /spri Set the KMS priority to normal (default). /cpri Set the KMS priority to low. Use this option to minimize contention from KMS in a co-hosted environment. Note that this could lead to KMS starvation, depending on what other applications or server roles are active. Use with care. /sprt port Sets the port on which the KMS host listens for client activation requests. The default TCP port is 1688. /sdns Enable DNS publishing by the KMS host (default). /cdns Disable DNS publishing by the KMS host. /upk Uninstall current installed product key and return license status back to trial state. /xpr Show the expiry date of current license (if not permanently activated) Token-based activation: /lil List the installed token-based activation issuance licenses. /ril ILID ILvID Remove an installed token-based activation issuance license. /stao Set the Token-based Activation Only flag, disabling automatic KMS activation. /ctao Clear the Token-based Activation Only flag (default), enabling automatic KMS activation. /ltc List valid token-based activation certificates that can activate installed software. /fta Certificate Thumbprint [PIN] Force token-based activation using the identified certificate. The optional personal identification number (PIN) is provided to unlock the private key without a PIN prompt when using certificates that are protected by hardware (for example, smart cards).
All actions (other than displaying status) require elevated administrator privileges.
Slmgr.vbs script is not intended to work across platforms i.e. between Vista and Windows 7
Examples
C:> cscript C:windowssystem32slmgr.vbs wkstn64 administrator pa55w0rd1 -dli
C:> cscript slmgr.vbs -skms 192.168.10.1:8090
C:> cscript slmgr.vbs -skms KMSServer:8090
“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above little things” ~ John Burroughs
Related:
SLUI – Software Licensing (Windows Activation) SLUI.exe 3 XXXXX.XXXXXX.XXXXXX.XXXXX
Activation Error Codes – TechNet
CERTREQ – Request certificate from a certification authority
WINVER – Display Licence Activation status
Q921471 – Activation fails when you try to activate Windows Vista, Windows 7…
PERMS – Show permissions for a user
SYSTEMINFO – List system configuration
Source: Windows Server 2012 KMS Service Activation | Working Hard In IT
Edited with additional notes and re-post of a MS Blog article.
// //
// // // <![CDATA[
var amznKeys = amznads.getKeys();
if (typeof amznKeys != “undefined” && amznKeys != “”) { for (var i =0; i // // // // //
Install the following update: An update is available for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS hosts to support Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 as described in KB2691586. This is also the place where you can request this hotfix. If you don’t install this hotfix registering a Windows Server 2012 KMS will throw an Error: 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid
Request the hotfix and install it from an elevated command prompt.
Once you’ve clicked OK the installation will start
After that’s finished you will be asked to restart the server. Do so. Just restarting the KMS service (“net stop sppsvc” and “net start sppsvc“) doesn’t suffice.
Now we have that out the way we can start putting our brand new KMS key into action.
Let’s take a look at what is already running:
slmgr.vbs /dlv => clearly the Windows 2008 R KMS key
Uninstall the current KMS key using slmgr.vbs /upk, please use an elevated command prompt
Now you can install the new KMS key.
slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxx
Now activate your brandnew KMS key running slmgr.vbs /ato
Show what’s up and running now by running slmgr.vbs /dlv again and as you can see we’re in business to activate all our Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 hosts.
Notes:
SLMGR /UPK may be necessary in some organisations. Without this the new key wouldn’t activate.
The KMS key activates:
•Windows Server 2008 R2
•Windows Server 2008
•Windows 8
•Windows Server 2012
•Windows 7
•Windows Vista
There is no requirement to have any W2K12/Windows 8. So it doesn’t matter, you can do that update, never even install a new KMS activation key and even if you do never activate any Windows Server 2012 / Windows 8. Even if that counter is reset doens’t matter either. The moment you reach the required number it just starts counting again.There is nothing dangerous or magic about that counter bar from people’s tendency to sit around watching it count. KMS if done well is set en forget until a new OS arrives and that you just update the KMS host. Nothing to worry about and if you have Volume Licensing so Microsoft support will help you when in doubt. KMS is loose that you could blow it up and take weeks to set up a new one, meanwhile
the company will keep running. All of this very well documented http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793418.aspx and here’s the entry point for all Volume activation info http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff719787.aspx
Server VL VOLUME_KMS_2012_C_channel activates:
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 8 Professional
Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows 2008 (all editions)
Windows 2008 R2 (all editions)
Windows Server 2012 (all editions)
Activation on the Enterprise client machines- Open cmd prompt and enter: slmgr.vbs /ato
Source: The Citrix Blog
// |
Less really can be more when it comes to desktop virtualization. 180 PC-on-a-Chip desktops—minus the hypervisor—with Citrix XenDesktop, HP Moonshot, and AMD. Part 1
Last week at HP Discover in Barcelona, Spain, HP unveiled a revolutionary new member of the Moonshot platform called the Converged System 100 for Hosted Desktops designed exclusively with AMD for Citrix XenDesktop. This new architecture is unlike anything else the industry and Citrix was there side-by-side on the show floor unveiling this new jointly designed platform to customers and partners. The interest from attendees was unbelievable and the simplicity of this new platform with XenDesktop and Provisioning Services made attendees really understand that desktop virtualization can be made simpler with an architecture like this. Let’s take a look at the hardware and dive deeper into this new and exciting game changing architecture.
Chassis
The Moonshot 1500 platform is a 4.3U chassis that has an impressive array of compute, graphics, storage, and network. This new Proliant M700 Server cartridge for HDI, or Hosted Desktop Infrastructure, was designed for those key knowledge workers that need direct unfiltered access to hardware that has been traditionally managed by a hypervisor in the VDI world. By providing this level of hardware access users can be assured that they will not have to share any hardware resources with anyone else that could potentially impact others in a traditional VDI architecture. With this new architecture users now have access to their own dedicated processors, graphics, storage, and networking which increases the user experience and ultimately productivity.
Inside the Moonshot chassis are 45 dedicated plug-n-play M700 server cartridges. Each M700 cartridge has 4 PC-on-a-Chip nodes or systems that are powered by the chassis. With 4 PC-on-a Chip nodes X 45 cartridges that gives us a total of 180 dedicated PCoC systems. Each cartridge consumes an impressive low wattage amount of power that is typically 33 watts in active use, 20 watts at idle and a maximum of 63 watts. That’s about 8 watts per node on average which is equivalent to a small radio, but with the power and HDX experience of a boom box! For an entire chassis then the total amount of power that these 45 cartridges or 180 nodes would consume on average is about 1500 watts which is about the equivalent of a home appliance microwave. Of course mileage may vary, but you get the point on how power savings can be applied here.
The image below showcases the Moonshot chassis fully loaded with 45 cartridges.
Cartridges
Each HP Proliant m700 is powered by a PC-on-a-Chip architecture designed by HP and AMD. Each node on a cartridge has an AMD Opteron X2150 APU (4) x86 core 1.5 GHz processor with AMD Radeon 8000 Series Graphics. The graphics and processor are a single piece of silicon die called an Accelerated Processing Unit or APU and offer 128 Radeon Cores up to 500 MHz. This type of graphics card is perfectly designed for the knowledge worker who has light level graphics requirements like Direct X 11 enabled applications such as Microsoft Office 2013. This allows for a smaller footprint for a SOC and provides HP and AMD the flexibility to have 4 nodes per cartridge. Each node has a dedicated 8GB of Enhanced ECC DDR3 PC3-12800 SDRAM at 16000 MHz speed for a total of 32GB per cartridge. For storage each cartridge has an integrated storage controller with a dedicated 32GB SANDISK iSSD per node located on the Mezzanine Storage Kit for a total of 128GB space. Each iSSD is rated to perform up to 400 IOPS which more than sufficient for most traditional VDI or SBC users. Each node also has its own pair of 1GB Broadcom NICS allowing for a combined 2GB of dedicated network bandwidth per node. This makes for greater design choices for allowing node to have access to different VLANS for boot and production traffic if desired. For node deployment the BIOS allows each node for a series of simple boot methods such as boot via local iSSD, boot via PXE, and boot one time via PXE or HDD. Also each of the m700 nodes have the capability to leverage Wake-On-LAN or WOL using a magic packet. This enables even nodes that are powered off in the chassis to be powered on straight from the Provisioning Services console!
Networking
Inside the chassis is a simple and easy to leverage series of integrated switches. There are two switches that are segmented as switch A and switch B. Each Wolff switch can provide up to 4 x 40GB of stackable uplinks per switch. These Wolff switches are fully manageable switches with Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing functionality as well as QoS, SNMP and SFLOW functions. With each node having a 2 dedicated 1GB NICS and each cartridge delivering 8GB of potential traffic, these switches are ready to handle any type of HDI workload scenario.
XenDesktop and HDX
So far you have read about the hardware and its exciting capabilities, but is there a specific version of XenDesktop for the Moonshot platform? Yes there is. The HP Converged System 100 will only be supported by Citrix for those customers using XenDesktop 7.1 and Provisioning Services 7.1. While it’s possible that previous versions of XenDesktop may work, the main feature that only XenDesktop 7.1 provides is the capability for the Standard VDA to leverage the native GPU for those Direct X enabled applications, for example, without the need of the HDX 3D Pro VDA that was always the case before for leveraging GPUs. (The HDX 3d Pro VDA is required for higher end CAD applications, which also require a higher end GPU than what is inside the M700 cartridge. Think NVIDIA K2 and XenServer GPU pass through with HP BL380 Gen 8 blades here for HDX 3D Pro for those higher end users which is a separate architecture than Moonshot.) For those of us that have been keeping up to speed with XenDesktop, Derek Thorslund posted great blog about what the XenDesktop 7.1 VDA can provide for native graphics. Throughout the development of the Moonshot platform Citrix, HP, and AMD worked very closely on the HDX side. During this time Citrix developers were able to enhance our current 7.1 Standard VDA WDDM driver to be able to provide optimizations that are now capable of leveraging the AMD graphics cards which are a standard on the Moonshot HDI platform. This new WDDM driver enhancement now allows for a superior HDX experience that can directly leverage the GPU for each node! The example below shows the device manager Citrix WDDM driver as well as the AMD Radeon GPU. It is important to note again that this new AMD optimization is specifically designed and supported for the XenDesktop 7.1 standard VDA only and not the HDX 3D Pro VDA which is not supported by Citrix on the CS100 Moonshot platform at the time of writing this article. This new enhancement is in the form of a hotfix (MSP) is available now on Citrix.com.
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX139622
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX139621
Below is YouTube demonstration showcasing all these pieces in real-time!
Direct URL also
180 bare-metal nodes to Windows 7 in minutes
In most situations there are going to be a few ways to deliver Windows to bare-metal nodes before the XenDesktop and Provisioning Services client installers can be deployed. The current HP supported method of delivering Windows 7 x64 to a node is using Windows Deployment Services or WDS. WDS is a free role of the Windows 2008R2 SP1 and Windows 2012/R2 operating system that can be enabled. Once we have our master image created the fun part begins. In the next series I’ll show the simple process of leveraging WDS to deploy Windows 7 to our master node in just a matter of a few minutes. Then I’ll demonstrate the PowerShell capabilities from Moonshot to PVS and how were able to build all 180 nodes just with PVS and Studio. More to come so check back soon….
Thank You
@TonySanchez_CTX
A blog dedicated to Citrix technology
I’m the loud and relentless "patient" voice and advocate they warned you about. I happen to have type 1 diabetes, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues, asthma, allergies, lactose intolerance (and more), but there’s more to story.
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