HP Xw460c, ProLiant xw2x220c, Session Allocation Manager 2.1 Optimization Manual

Session Allocation Manager 2.1—Optimizing your HP
Blade Workstation Solution Deployment

Objective............................................................................................................................................ 2

Overview............................................................................................................................................ 2

SAM architecture................................................................................................................................. 4

SAM features and benefits.................................................................................................................... 6

Interfacing to SAM............................................................................................................................... 8

HP SAM Web Server interface .......................................................................................................... 8

SAM client user interface .................................................................................................................. 9

Example: Establishing a multi-monitor, multi-session connection to two blade workstations ............................ 9

Step 1: Assign blade workstations to the user .................................................................................... 10

Step 2: Map blade workstations to a particular monitor layout ............................................................ 10

Step 3: Specify the client computer monitor layout ............................................................................. 11

Step 4: Establish a connection ......................................................................................................... 12

Conclusion........................................................................................................................................ 13

Objective

This paper describes how Session Allocation Manager (SAM) 2.1 can be used to optimize your HP
Blade Workstation Solution deployment, enhancing both manageability and ease-of-use. For example,
SAM allows the HP Blade Workstation Solution to be configured so that the user needs to log in only
once in order to be connected to multiple blade workstations.

This paper first provides an overview of the HP Blade Workstation Solution, as well as other HP
remote desktop solutions. Next, the SAM architecture is presented, followed by a description of the
SAM features, benefits, and user interface and an example of how SAM can be used to establish a
connection from a client computer to multiple blade workstations.

For more additional information on SAM, please visit

http://www.hp.com/go/sam.

Overview

Remote computing, coupled with high-performance, over-the-network visualization technology, is
changing the traditional desktop computing model. The HP Blade Workstation Solution, shown in
Figure 1, exemplifies this trend. Rather than placing the workstation computing power at the user’s
desk, the computing power is moved to the data center where the rack-mounted blade workstations
can be more easily, securely, and inexpensively managed. Users can remotely view and interact with
the blade workstations using inexpensive client computers. This reduces the heat, clutter, and noise
inherent in multi-workstation desktop configurations. For information on the HP Blade Workstation
Solution, visit

http://www.hp.com/go/bladeworkstation.

r

Figure 1. The HP Blade Workstation Solution consists of rack-mounted blade workstations and client computers

Client computers

HP ProLiant xw460c

Blade Workstations

Site #1

Client computers

Data Cente

Site #2

For customers who need a remote computing solution to replace business desktops, HP offers the HP
Consolidated Client Infrastructure (CCI), which employs rack-mounted blade PCs and low-cost client
computers. For information on CCI, visit http://www.hp.com/go/cci

.

HP also offers virtualized desktop computing resources, based on the HP virtual desktop infrastructure
(VDI). With VDI, OS virtualization software executes on a server to allow a desktop OS, such as
Microsoft® Windows® XP, to run on the server. To support multiple users, multiple copies of
Windows can be run on a single server, each in their own virtualized OS environment. As with blade
workstations and CCI, low-cost client computers are used to view and interact with the desktop
sessions. For information on VDI, visit

http://www.hp.com/go/vdi.

When applied to these remote computing solutions, SAM enhances:

• Manageability—SAM supports management of both the remote computing resources and client

computers, helping to ensure the optimal assignment of resources to each user. SAM also increases
system reliability through features such as automatic failover protection.

• Ease-of-use—SAM enhances the user experience by allowing the user to log into SAM once, and

then be automatically connected to either pre-assigned remote computing resources or to
dynamically-assigned computing resources. When users move to a different location, SAM can be
configured to automatically re-connect users to their previous remote computing resources.

SAM architecture

(

The computing resources supported by SAM consist of blade workstations, blade PCs, the virtual
desktop infrastructure, and client computers, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. The elements of the SAM architecture

Computing

Blade

Workstations

Blade

PCs

HP Server

Virtual

Desktop

Infrastructure

Can be a single computer)

SQL

Server

RGS or RDP

HP SAM

Web

Server

Active

Directory

Client

computer

Client

computer

Client

computer

Client

computer

The HP SAM Web Server orchestrates connections between these computing resources and the client
computers. When a user requests a connection to a computing resource, the HP SAM Web Server
accesses the SQL Server database to determine how to allocate the requested computing resources to
the user. The SQL database stores information such as:

• The properties of each of the computing resources, including the roles that each computer is
configured to provide. An example administrator-defined role is stock trader. Applications specific
to this role are installed on computers that support this role.

• The properties of each of the client computers, such as their monitor layout ID, which is associated
with the number of attached monitors, their layout, and their resolutions.

• The HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS) properties to use when making an RGS connection, such
as windows borders on/off and the RGS image compression level.

Based on this information, SAM allocates the remote computing resources required by each user. In
doing this, the desktop session of one or more computing resources is displayed on the client
computer.

SAM uses RGS to connect client computers and blade workstations. As shown in Figure 3, RGS sends
the desktop image from the blade workstation to the client computer. RGS also captures user

keyboard and mouse inputs from the client computer, and sends them to the blade workstation for
processing by the OS and the applications running on the workstation.

Figure 3. RGS provides visualization between a blade workstation and a client computer.

This symbol denotes the HP
RGS product. The stylistic R

Computing
resource

Interactive desktop image

stands for “Remote” while the
Greek gamma symbol stands
for “Graphics.”

Client

TCP/IP network

HP ProLiant xw460c
Blade Workstation

Keyboard and mouse inputs

HP Compaq t5720
Thin Client

RGS provides extremely fast capture, compression, and transmission of the desktop image (the actual
frame buffer pixels) using standard TCP/IP networking. For more information on RGS, visit

http://www.hp.com/go/rgs.

SAM also supports the use of Microsoft® Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect between client
computers and the computing resources. RGS, however, provides significantly higher performance
than RDP, and has a number of features which make it particularly suitable for workstation-class
usage, including:

• Support for multiple monitors—RGS sends the complete frame buffer of the blade workstation to the
client computer. For example, the HP ProLiant xw460c Blade Workstation supports a frame buffer
(and Windows desktop) that can be configured up to 5120 x 1024 pixels, equivalent to four 1280
x 1024 monitors. Similarly, the HP dc72 Blade Workstation Client supports up to four attached
monitors. Therefore, the complete frame buffer (Windows desktop) of the blade workstation can be
transmitted and displayed on the four client monitors using RGS.

• Connection to multiple blade workstations—RGS on the client computer can connect to multiple
desktop sessions, each running on a different blade workstation. Figure 4 shows two blade
workstations, each sending their Windows desktop session to the client computer for display. SAM
can be configured so that, in connecting to multiple blade workstations, the desktop session of each
blade workstation is displayed on a separate monitor on the client computer.

Figure 4. Desktop sessions from multiple computing resources can each be displayed on a separate monitor on the client
computer.

Computing resources

Client computer

• Advanced configurability—RGS is highly configurable, both through its user interface as well as by
setting RGS properties in a configuration file. For example, RGS properties can be set to specify
where a window (displaying the desktop from a blade workstation) is positioned on the client
monitor. SAM provides centralized management of the RGS properties, including on a per user
basis, a per user group basis, and a per security group basis.

SAM features and benefits

SAM has a number of features that allow optimization of the HP Blade Workstation Solution,
including:

Static and dynamic resource assignments—SAM supports two types of resource assignments:

• Static resources—A user and the user’s client computer are connected to a pre-defined set of remote
computing resources, even when the user changes location.

• Dynamic resources—Users are assigned remote computing resources from a pool of available
computing resources.

These two types of resource assignments provide significant flexibility in meeting the needs of your
users.

• Single log in—SAM simplifies the user experience by allowing the user to log in just once, even if
the user is connecting to multiple blade workstations. Furthermore, with a multi-monitor client
computer, SAM will automatically position the user’s windows on the client computer monitors
based on pre-configured information. The net result is that logging into the blade workstation
solution is as simple as logging into a single workstation.

• Follow-me roaming—This feature enables users to move to a different location, and be
automatically re-connected to the same computing resources they used previously, without
disrupting the applications running on the computing resources. In doing this, SAM automatically
adapts to different monitor configurations. For example, assume that a user has four monitors in the
office, each displaying the frame buffer from a different blade workstation. If the user relocates to
home where there is only one monitor, SAM will re-connect to the live sessions on the same four

blade workstations as before, but will stack the four frame buffer windows onto the single monitor
for viewing. RGS can then be used to sequentially view each of the four windows.

• Automatic failover—SAM can be configured so that, if a blade workstation fails, another blade
workstation will be automatically assigned to the task performed by the failed unit. This feature
works for both static and dynamic connections, maximizing both the uptime of the blade
workstation solution and the user’s productivity.

• Automatic client aggregation—The HP Blade Workstation Solution, in concert with RGS, allows
multiple blade workstation client computers to be aggregated together to form a single virtual client
device, operated by a single keyboard and mouse. SAM can be configured to perform client
aggregation automatically, while ensuring that each client computer connects to its pre-configured
set of blade workstations.

• Ease of administration—SAM provides a web interface that allows all parameters of SAM
operation to be easily monitored and changed from a central location. This is much more efficient
than configuring the blade workstation solution by separately logging into each solution
component.

• Detailed logging—SAM can be configured to keep a detailed log of connection activities,
administration activities, security-related incidents, and the like.

Interfacing to SAM

SAM provides interfaces for two types of personnel:

• SAM administrator—The HP SAM Web Server provides a web interface for the administrator to set
up SAM and manage its resources.

• SAM user—A program called the Session Allocation Client runs on each client computer to enable
the user to establish a connection to the required computing resources.

HP SAM Web Server interface

The web interface for administering SAM is shown in Figure 5. Through this interface, the SAM
administrator can perform tasks such as creating new roles, assigning computing resources to users,
managing client computers, and managing the monitor layout on client computers.

Figure 5. The SAM administrator interface

For information on installing, setting up, and administering SAM, see the HP PC Session Allocation
Manager User Guide, available at

http://www.hp.com/go/sam.

SAM client user interface

Figure 6 shows the Session Allocation Client (SAM client) that runs on the client computer. With the
SAM client, a single login allows connection to multiple blade workstations.

Figure 6. The Session Allocation Client interface

Example: Establishing a multi-monitor, multi-session
connection to two blade workstations

In this section, a static SAM connection is established from a dual-monitor client computer to two
blade workstations, each running a Windows desktop session—hence, a multi-monitor, multi-session
connection. Each of the Windows desktop sessions is displayed on a separate monitor on the client
computer.

NOTE:

The screenshots in this section show the results of various SAM
administrative activities, not how the administrative steps are actually
performed. To learn how to use SAM, refer to the documentation available
at http://www.hp.com/go/sam

Note that using SAM requires expertise in administering Microsoft Active
Directory, as well as general IT expertise to set up and configure the
product. HP recommends that, prior to deploying SAM, a pilot installation
be created to verify SAM operation in your environment.

.

Step 1: Assign blade workstations to the user

In Figure 7, two blade workstations (SAM-BL32 and SAM-BL41) have been assigned to the user,
stock.trader.

Figure 7. Two blade workstations are associated with the user stock.trader.

Step 2: Map blade workstations to a particular monitor layout

In Figure 8, each of the blade workstations is mapped to a particular monitor. The blade workstation
SAM-BL32 is mapped to the left-most monitor (because the monitor horizontal offset is set to 0) while
the blade workstation SAM-BL41 is mapped to the right-most monitor (because the monitor horizontal
offset is set to 1280). This monitor layout is associated with the Monitor Layout ID, “two screen
horizontal.”

Figure 8. Mapping of the two blade workstations to the two client computer monitors

Step 3: Specify the client computer monitor layout

In Figure 9, the monitor layout for the client computer has been specified by including the Monitor
Layout ID, “two screen horizontal,” that was established in Step 2.

Figure 9. Specifying the monitor layout for a client computer

At this point, two blade workstations have been assigned to the user, stock.trader. Furthermore, the
mapping of blade workstations to monitors (on the client computer) has been specified, and has also
been associated with the user. Finally, the monitor layout has been associated with the client
computer.

The effect of these configuration steps is that, when user stock.trader makes a connection from the
specified client computer, the desktop sessions from the two blade workstations will be mapped to the
two monitors per the specified layout. The final step is to actually make the connection, as described
next.

Step 4: Establish a connection

Once the system configuration information has been entered into the SAM administration tool, the
SAM Client is used to make the connection from the client computer to the two blade workstations—
the user clicks Connect to establish this connection, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. The SAM client is used to establish the connection

Figure 11 shows the connection status dialog, which indicates that the client computer is connected to
two blade workstations, SAM-BL32 and SAM-BL41. SAM can be configured so that this dialog is
displayed automatically whenever there is a change in the connection status.

Figure 11. Connection status dialog

Figure 12 shows the two blade workstation Windows sessions that are displayed on the two client
computer monitors.

p

r

Figure 12. Display of the two blade workstation Windows sessions

Desktop session
from SAM-BL32

Desktop session
from SAM-BL41

Client com

ute

Conclusion

SAM 2.1 can be used to automatically assign blade workstation, blade PC, and VDI sessions to a
user’s client computer. For blade workstations, SAM employs RGS to provide a highly-interactive
environment between the user and the desktop sessions running on the blade workstations. In concert
with RGS, SAM allows the user to connect a multi-monitor client computer to either a single blade
workstation with a high-resolution Windows desktop that spans multiple monitors, or to multiple blade
workstations, each running their own Windows desktop session.

The capabilities provided by SAM 2.1 allow you to efficiently manage your HP Blade Workstation
Solution, helping to ensure the optimal use of both your computing resources and your human
resources. As your remote computing needs continue to evolve over time, SAM will enable you to
efficiently meet those needs.

© 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained
herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and
services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such
products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an
additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or
omissions contained herein.

Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

October 2007