Re: New here: Question about backend

[Henry E Schaffer]

James writes:
> ... 
> 
> For most part the VCL works really well. (I've heard that at NCSU
> they've replaced almost all the computer labs with VCL)

  We've stopped adding computer labs a few years ago even through
student enrollment has been growing, we've significantly lengthened the
computer lab equipment refresh time, and we've just started on a path of
closing down labs.

  I expect that we'll retain some of the general use labs.  Our
specialized labs - such as the ones where the computer equipment is
modified as part of the course work - will remain.

> The only problem I've run into is that the remote desktop screen doesn't
> keep up if you are using high end graphics, or full motion
> video(ie. flash). 

  Intermediate level graphics such as Flash animations work well. An
intricate 3D drawing in SolidWorks will look fine - but spin it *fast*
and you'll likely get some video artifacts - which will heal as soon as
the spin slows down and stops.

> The research I've down seems to indicate the problem
> is with the RDP protocol used by windows remote desktop. There are many
> alternatives to windows remote desktop. I just haven't had time to try
> them yet.

  I keep on hearing hopeful things, but haven't seen anything concrete.
Please keep us in the loop if you find something promising.

--henry schaffer

Re: New here: Question about backend

[James O'Dell]

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

Hi Adam,

I'm the VCL admin for our campus. We're still new to VCL ourselves.

The campus sent me to NCSU for 2 weeks for training, and to help
build our first VCL system. If you want to get going quickly, I'd
recommend it. The developers there are great guys and I ran into some
problems while building the VCL that would have taken me a while to
solve.

We've integrated Shibboleth into our VCL system for authentication and
attribute assertion. (I'm also the Shibboleth admin - so it made sense
to me)

For most part the VCL works really well. (I've heard that at NCSU
they've replaced almost all the computer labs with VCL)

The only problem I've run into is that the remote desktop screen doesn't
keep up if you are using high end graphics, or full motion
video(ie. flash). The research I've down seems to indicate the problem
is with the RDP protocol used by windows remote desktop. There are many
alternatives to windows remote desktop. I just haven't had time to try
them yet.

Hope this helps,

__Jim

On 1/13/2011 7:28 AM, Hechler, Adam wrote:
> Hello all,
> 
>  
> 
> I’m new here. I’m a PC Systems Administrator and we’re looking to setup
> a VCL here (test environment first, obviously). Please tell me if this
> question is not appropriate for this list but is anyone using anything
> besides VMWare for the back-end VMs with their VCL? It’s part of my job
> to get appropriate pricing, etc. for the long term and all I see on the
> wiki is mention of VMWare products.
> 
>  
> 
> Also, if anyone is willing to enter into an email dialog with
> specifically what they’re running I’d really appreciate it. Send me an
> email. I have a lot of learning to do.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Adam Hechler
> 
>   Senior Analyst /
> 
> PC Systems Administrator
> 
>   hec...@rpi.edu 
> 
>Rensselaer at Hartford
> 
>  http://www.ewp.rpi.edu/tis
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 


- -- 
Jim O'Dell
Network Analyst
California State University Fullerton
Email: jod...@fullerton.edu
Phone: (657) 278-2256
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (MingW32)
Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/

iEYEARECAAYFAk0vQusACgkQREVHAOnXPYQ9KACgj6bih37CkDhfyFIEVW1UcYQm
McMAn2FdPu8WJC2mg+rjCqYDarQw1iEo
=WRAW
-END PGP SIGNATURE-

Re: New here: Question about backend

[James O'Dell]

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

Currently, out of the box, VCL only supports VMware for it's the
virtualization (using VMware's Perl SDK).

There have been a few members of this list who have gotten
VirtualBox and KVM to work (Using their own custom modules).

The next release of VCL may include support for 'libvirt'(libvirt.org).
Libvirt currently supports Xen, Qemu, KVM, LXC, OpenVZ,User Mode Linux,
VirtualBox, and VMware. (It has bindings for Perl, Java, PHP, Python,
and Ruby)

Btw, many Linux systems already have 'libvirt' bundled (RedHat, CentOS,
Debian, Ubuntu, etc) But, the windows port is still experimental.

So, unless that Citrix or Microsoft VDI support libvirt, I kind of
doubt they'll be supported any time soon.

If there were a Perl SDK for them, someone may be able to build a
custom module for them.

Hope this helps,

__Jim

On 1/13/2011 9:21 AM, Hechler, Adam wrote:
> Thank you,
> 
> What I was curious about is whether or not anyone is using Citrix
> XenDesktop, Microsoft VDI/System Center or anything else?
> 
> Does VCL only work with VMWare products? 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Adam
> 
> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Josh Thompson [mailto:josh_thomp...@ncsu.edu]
>> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 12:16 PM
>> To: vcl-user@incubator.apache.org
>> Subject: Re: New here: Question about backend
>>
> VCL can also use ESXi with a free license.
> 
> Josh
> 
> On Thursday January 13, 2011, Hicham Gibet Tani wrote:
>>>> Hello Adam,
>>>>
>>>> The VCL uses VMware Server which is a free release.
>>>>
>>>> Good luck.
>>>>
>>>> Cordially,
>>>>
>>>> GIBET TANI Hicham

- -- 
Jim O'Dell
Network Analyst
California State University Fullerton
Email: jod...@fullerton.edu
Phone: (657) 278-2256
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (MingW32)
Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/

iEYEARECAAYFAk0vPvsACgkQREVHAOnXPYRufwCdE16CUwYJ9nc8HWmFTMAOhH1o
ygAAoMswm8IxT7IPG6CPy4OI4jwPnmoI
=Hxjw
-END PGP SIGNATURE-

Re: New here: Question about backend

[Hicham Gibet Tani]

Here is pretty usefull apache VCL incubator link:

https://cwiki.apache.org/VCL/vcl-22.html

Good luck,

GIBET TANI Hicham

Re: New here: Question about backend

[Hicham Gibet Tani]

The current version of VCL does only support VMware server and ESXi, and
that only for now.

The next versions will support more and more virtualization platforms such
as KVM, XEN and maybe others.

Cordially,

GIBET TANI Hicham

RE: New here: Question about backend

[Hechler, Adam]

Thank you,

What I was curious about is whether or not anyone is using Citrix
XenDesktop, Microsoft VDI/System Center or anything else?

Does VCL only work with VMWare products? 


Thanks,
Adam


> -Original Message-
> From: Josh Thompson [mailto:josh_thomp...@ncsu.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 12:16 PM
> To: vcl-user@incubator.apache.org
> Subject: Re: New here: Question about backend
> 
> -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
> Hash: SHA1
> 
> VCL can also use ESXi with a free license.
> 
> Josh
> 
> On Thursday January 13, 2011, Hicham Gibet Tani wrote:
> > Hello Adam,
> >
> > The VCL uses VMware Server which is a free release.
> >
> > Good luck.
> >
> > Cordially,
> >
> > GIBET TANI Hicham
> - --
> - ---
> Josh Thompson
> VCL Developer
> North Carolina State University
> 
> my GPG/PGP key can be found at pgp.mit.edu
> -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
> Version: GnuPG v2.0.16 (GNU/Linux)
> 
> iEYEARECAAYFAk0vM2UACgkQV/LQcNdtPQO0NwCaA9HpkuuUMUFWghIvEK
> aiJhwH
> KrYAnA7/WkesJz37Pig39+wFu9w6uWRM
> =w1Fv
> -END PGP SIGNATURE-

Re: New here: Question about backend

[Josh Thompson]

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

VCL can also use ESXi with a free license.

Josh

On Thursday January 13, 2011, Hicham Gibet Tani wrote:
> Hello Adam,
> 
> The VCL uses VMware Server which is a free release.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> Cordially,
> 
> GIBET TANI Hicham
- -- 
- ---
Josh Thompson
VCL Developer
North Carolina State University

my GPG/PGP key can be found at pgp.mit.edu
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
Version: GnuPG v2.0.16 (GNU/Linux)

iEYEARECAAYFAk0vM2UACgkQV/LQcNdtPQO0NwCaA9HpkuuUMUFWghIvEKaiJhwH
KrYAnA7/WkesJz37Pig39+wFu9w6uWRM
=w1Fv
-END PGP SIGNATURE-

Re: New here: Question about backend

[Hicham Gibet Tani]

Hello Adam,

The VCL uses VMware Server which is a free release.

Good luck.

Cordially,

GIBET TANI Hicham