NVIDIA GRID 2.0

NVIDIA have released the next generation of GRID 2.0. GRID 2.0 is based on the Maxwell architecture and the GRID 1.0 (K1/K2) was based on the Kepler architecture. I have been working with the GRID 1.0 technology since 2012 and it have matured alot in its 2 years of history. When the K1/K2 was released they was first working with GPU pass-through and then vGPU got introduced and you could virtualize the GPUs and increase density, which people wanted. Citrix was with their hypervisor the first company that supported NVIDIA GRID 1.0 and they was also the first company integrating vGPU into their Citrix Studio, so companies could easier provisioning machines with either MCS technology or PVS technology. VMware supported GRID 1.0 vGPU technology in 2015 in their hypervisor VMware vSphere 6.0 and fully integrated with their EUC stack VMware View, so companies can fully provisioning machines. The great thing about GRID 2.0 is that there is no need for a conversation when to choose either a K1 or a K2, if you required GPU compute or GPU framebuffer, M60 are being added to the tope end of the range and bringing 2x the performance, and if you have bladeserver’s, you can add the powerfull vGPU technology into the bladeserver’s with the M6.

Please notice that M6 will 0nly be supporting newer architecture of vendors not old platforms.

Maxwell architecture

Maxwell architecture is the new architecture of GPUs and a powerful GPU you might know is the Titan X

New GPUs GRID 2.0 and specifications

In GRID 2.0 NVIDIA now have a GPU for blade servers a MXM single socket, High-end GPU called M6

In GRID 2.0 NVIDIA replaces K1/K2 with the new PCIe 3.0 Dual Socket, Dual High-end GPU called M60
The M60 delivers 4096 CUDA or compute and 16GB GDDR5 memory/framebuffer

The M60 has 6x the h.264 encoders of the K2, and also Maxwell supports 4:4:4 chroma sub sampling, which is great news for encoders.

Certified GRID 2.0 servers

Click the link to see which servers are certified for M60 and M6
http://www.nvidia.com/object/grid-certified-servers.html

M6 have following servers supported:

M60 have following servers supported:

vGPU software editions and license

NVIDIA GRID 2.0 software is available in three editions that deliver accelerated virtual desktops to support the needs of your users. These editions include Virtual PC, Virtual Workstation, and Virtual Workstation Extended. GRID perpetual licenses are sold by Concurrent User (CCU).

NVIDIA GRID 2.0 (CCU) stands for ConCurrent User. So basically, per running VM as regardless of whether the user is connected to the VM or not, the VM is connected to the GPU and so consumes a license

NVIDIA GRID 2.0 software is much more than a “driver”. While the software package does include a guest driver for Windows and Linux, it also includes the NVIDIA GRID vGPU manager for VMware vSphere and Citrix XenServer, as well as the license server and M6/M60 mode switching utility.

NVIDIA Tesla M6 and M60 profiles are specific to the M6 and M60. There will be similar profiles as to what NVIDIA had on K1 and K2 (512 MB through 4 GB), all with twice the number of users on M6/ M60 compared to K1/K2. Plus, there is an additional 8 GB profile on M6/M60 which also adds support for CUDA, which wasn’t available on K1/K2.

NVIDIA GRID 2.0 is Maxwell only. If you are an existing customer K1/K2 are unchanged and will remain as a parallel option.

The NVIDIA GRID 2.0 solution

Summary

GA of NVIDIA GRID 2.0 (M60 and M6) will be 15 September 2015.

To get NVIDIA GRID 2.0 if you are a Citrix customer you need:
Server hardware that supports NVIDIA GRID 2.0 +NVIDIA GPU M60 or M6 + NVIDIA vGPU Software license + Citrix XenDesktop or XenApp License (XenServer is included in XD/XA licenses)

To get NVIDIA GRID 2.0 if you are a VMware customer you need:
Server hardware that supports NVIDIA GRID 2.0 +NVIDIA GPU M60 or M6 + NVIDIA vGPU Software license + VMware Horizon license (Horizon includes vSphere for Desktop)

If you are a Citrix customer that wants to run on VMware vSphere you need:

Server hardware that supports NVIDIA GRID 2.0 + NVIDIA GPU M60 or M6 + NVIDIA vGPU Software license + Citrix XenDesktop or XenApp License + VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus license or vSphere for Desktop license

Source

NVIDIA GRID Test Drive

NVIDIA GRID Website

NVIDIA GRID News

NVIDIA GRID YouTube Channel

Questions? Ask on our Forums

NVIDIA GRID on LinkedIn

Follow NVIDIAGRID on Twitter

Citrix License FAQ regarding vGPU

Vmware License FAQ regarding vGPU

NVIDIA GRID vGPU 346.68-348.27

NVIDIA have released a new GRID Virtual GPU Manager 346.68 for Citrix XenServer 6.5 and VMware vSphere 6.
NVIDIA have in this release also released Windows drivers for vGPU 348.27

Important:

The GRID Virtual GPU Manager 346.68 is not updated in this release, its only the Windows drivers for vGPU 348.27
If you have GRID Virtual GPU Manager 346.68 installed in either XenServer or VMware you only need to update your VMs.

The GRID vGPU Manager and Windows guest VM drivers must be installed together.

Older VM drivers will not function correctly with this release of GRID vGPU Manager. Similarly, older GRID vGPU Managers will not function correctly with this release of Windows guest drivers.

What is fixed in Windows driver for vGPU 348.27 VM using Citrix XenServer 6.5

What is fixed in Windows drivers for vGPU 348.27 VM using VMware vSphere 6

Source

Download NVIDIA GRID vGPU 346.68-348.27 for Citrix XenServer 6.5 here

Download NVIDIA GRID vGPU 346.68-348.27 for VMware vSphere 6 here

Citrix XenApp 6.5 Feature Pack 3

Citrix have released Feature Pack 3 for XenApp 6.5. If you are using XenApp 6.5 and have no plans moving from IMA to FMA architecture which XenApp 7.6 is then you might like the Feature Pack 3 components.

XenApp 6.5 Feature Pack 3 is an update for XenApp 6.5 customers, giving you access to new and recently released Citrix components. Download these individually and install them into your existing deployment. Some components require Platinum or Enterprise editions of XenApp 6.5.

What’s new in Feature Pack 3?

This release includes the following new components:

StoreFront 3.0 – Delivers centralized customization and branding of your users’ applications and desktop selection experience across Receivers for Windows, Mac, and Linux (on desktops) and Receivers for Web, HTML5, and Chrome (on mobile devices). For more information, see http://docs.citrix.com/en-us/storefront/3/sf-about-30.html.
HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8 – For Enterprise and Platinum editions of XenApp, offers clear, crisp high-definition video calls with Microsoft Skype for Business and Lync. Users can seamlessly participate in audio-video or audio-only calls to and from other HDX RealTime users and other standards-based video desktop and conference room systems. For more information, see http://docs.citrix.com/en-us/hdx-optimization/1-8.html.
Director 7.6.300 – Includes fixes for issues in Version 7.6.200.

This release also includes the following components:

Provisioning Services 7.6 – For Enterprise and Platinum editions of XenApp. To download this component, visit https://www.citrix.com/downloads/provisioning-services/product-software/provisioning-services-76.html.
AppDNA 7.6 – For Platinum edition of XenApp. To download this component, visit https://www.citrix.com/downloads/appdna/product-software/appdna-76.html.
XenServer 6.5 Service Pack 1 – To download this component, visit https://www.citrix.com/downloads/xenserver/product-software/xenserver-65.html.
Universal Print Server 7.6 – To download this component, visit http://www.citrix.com/downloads/xenapp/components/citrix-universal-print-server-ups-76.html?_ga=1.134207245.285281709.1418855524.
Profile management 5.2.1 – To download this component, visit https://www.citrix.com/downloads/xenapp/components/xenapp-component-updates-after-xenapp-6-5-feature-pack-2.html.
License Server 11.12.1 – To download this component, visit https://www.citrix.com/downloads/licensing/license-server/license-server-version-11121-for-windows.html.

Citrix encourages you to migrate your deployment from XenApp 6.5 to XenApp 7.6. To find out more about this, see http://www.citrix.com/products/xenapp/tech-info/upgrade.html.

To deliver VM hosted apps, download the XenApp 7.6 ISO file and Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) packages from http://www.citrix.com/downloads/xenapp.html

Source

Download Citrix XenApp 6.5 Feature Pack 3 here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Citrix technology professional – CTP, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional MVP, Thomas Poppelgaard provides professional services. Write to me on my email thomas@poppelgaard.com or call on my cell +45 53540356

Citrix XenDesktop & XenApp 7.6 Feature Pack 2

Citrix released Feature Pack 2 for Citrix XenDesktop & Citrix XenApp.

What’s new in Feature Pack 2 for Citrix XenDesktop 7.6 and XenApp 7.6

The Feature Pack 2 release includes the following new and enhanced features.

StoreFront 3.0

StoreFront includes the following new features and enhancements.

Unified Receiver provides modern, centrally-managed and customizable user app selection experience across all user devices.
Google Chrome Support without NPAPI.
Delegating Authentication to XenApp and XenDesktop when there is no AD trust between sites.
Treat All Desktops as Applications to apply Workspace Control and group icons together.
Integrated Monitoring Service enables NetScaler to monitor StoreFront.
Extended Store Customization SDK for business logic.

Updated StoreFront management console

Support for the unified Receiver experience — StoreFront 3.0 delivers centralized customization and branding of your end users’ applications and desktop selection experience to Receiver users. Your company can customize the interface to reflect your logo, colors, and so forth. Some of the new Receiver and StoreFront features:

Simplified application organization — Familiar and consistent application selection experience for use.

Featured app groups. Administrator configured applications that are logically grouped and advertised to users in the applications selection experience.

Folder view of applications. Return of Web Interface functionality in StoreFront.

Favorites. Easily add or remove applications to Favorites for quick access.

Server-managed user experience — Application selection experience is server configured.

Change once, deploy everywhere. User application selection experience changes are made by the administrator on StoreFront server.

Consistent application selection experience for user. Any device running Receiver receives its application selection experience from the server as HTML5, providing for consistency as users move across smartphones, tablets, and desktop form factors.

Decouple the application selection experience from Receiver capabilities. Client upgrade without end user training or user experience impact; Support legacy user experience without legacy client cost.

Fit for purpose user experience customization options — You select the appropriate level of customization.

Updated out-of-the-box user experience. Modernized end user application selection look-and-feel.

Server-configured branding customizations. You brand with corporate logos, color, and featured application groups.

Deeper customization and branding options. CSS and script APIs available to enable deeper levels of customization.

Use the StoreFront management console to do the following Receiver related tasks:

Set Receiver for Web as the default for the store.

Create a Receiver for Web website.

Change website type.

Customize the website appearance.

See the Support for Receiver for Web article.

Featured app groups management — App groups are groups of applications that are related or fit in a specific category making them more easily discoverable. With Studio and the StoreFront management console you can define app groups using keywords, application names, or categories.

See the Create and manage featured apps article.

XML service-based authentication.

You can configure StoreFront to use the XenApp and XenDesktop XML Service to authenticate the user name and password credentials where a user explicitly provides a user name and password. Use PowerShell cmdlets to enable and disable this feature. For more information, see XML service-based authentication.

Support for HDX Real-Time Optimization Pack 1.8

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack includes the following new features and enhancements.

Support for the Microsoft Skype for Business client in Lync UI mode, the Microsoft Lync 2013 client, and the Microsoft Lync 2010 client.
Support for the Lync Server 2013 Autodiscover Service.
Call Park and Call Pick Up in Lync 2010 client.
Call forwarding and simultaneous ringing controls for Lync 2010 client
Support for Mac.
Kerberos authentication.
Plus (+) symbol in the dial pad.
Support for the Microsoft Windows 10 technical preview.

For information, see HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8.

Session Recording

Session Recording includes the following new features and enhancements.

You can specify the connection credentials to the database when installing the Session Recording Database component.
You can test the connectivity of database during the installation of the Session Recording Database and Session Recording Server components and test the connectivity of the Session Recording Server during the installation of Session Recording Agent component.
Microsoft Shared Management Objects is no longer requirement for Session Recording Database installation.
Citrix Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) is integrated in Session Recording. For more information, see About the Citrix Customer Experience Improvement Program.

For more information, see Session Recording – for XenApp 7.6 FP1 and FP2 only.

Linux Virtual Desktop

You can now create Linux virtual desktops based on SUSE and Red Hat distributions. Prepare your Linux virtual machines, install the new Linux VDA software on them, configure your Delivery Controller, and then use Studio to make the desktops available to users. For more information, see the following documents.

Installation guide for SUSE

Installation guide for Red Hat

Framehawk Virtual Channel

Framehawk is a new ICA virtual channel that extends Citrix HDX technologies, a set of capabilities that work together to deliver a high-definition user experience of virtual desktops and applications.

The Framehawk virtual channel optimizes the delivery of virtual desktops and applications to users on broadband wireless connections. It is ideal for mobile devices under lossy network connections. With Framehawk integrated into the industry-leading HDX technology, Citrix provides a smooth and intuitive user experience in conditions where remote workspace users previously experienced poor interactivity, such as on wireless connections with high packet loss or congestion.

For more information, see the following document.

Administrator guide

Director 7.6.300

This version of Director supports the Framehawk virtual channel. You can display HDX graphics information, which lets you monitor and troubleshoot any session that uses the channel.

Source

Download Citrix XenDesktop 7.6 Feature Pack 2 here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download Citrix XenApp 7.6 Feature Pack 2 here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download Citrix Storefront 3 here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download Director 7.6.300 here

Download Session Recorder here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download HDX Realtime Optimization Pack 1.8 here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download Citrix Linux Virtual Desktops here (requires MyCitrix ID)

Download HDX with Framework here

FYI – Remember to update your hot fixes to latest level for Studio, GPO, VDA, download the hot fixes here

Lakeside Case Study – sizing NVIDIA GRID vGPU

Hi all

I am very proud to share the results of the work I did with my friend and coworker Magnar Johnsen from FirstPoint. We have been developing for a long time a smart new way of analyzing data (iOPS, CPU, Memory, GPU, Latency..) and different pieces of software was evaluated and Lakeside Software was the product we decided to go with and both our companies Poppelgaard.com and Firstpoint who are a Lakeside partner so we are legit to make assessments for clients using Lakeside Software. Below article helps you if you are about to size a NVIDIA GRID vGPU solution using either Citrix XenServer or VMware vSphere. If you have been at NVIDIA GTC, Citrix Synergy, BriForum, E2EVC or seen me talking at a Citrix User Group you might have seen the results of the work we did, thats changing on how we think applications are impacting that requires a GPU.

Magnar and I go way back.

Magnar and I have a long past with remote graphics and when we put our minds together we create something that is beautiful. Last year at Citrix Synergy audience could see how people could virtualize 3d remote graphics from Virtual Reality solution using Oculus Rift “Facebook” from the cloud. This was showed for the first time for audience and Citrix loved the idea and redesigned their exhibit about HDX 3D Pro next to FrameHawk, and sorry FrameHawk we stole all the attention with everybody wants to try the VR solution. The cool thing was VR was cool, but me and Magnar worked months “hard” to analyze the data we find at Aibel and we did very successful assessment and we shared the findings at Brian Madden BriForum in May 2014, just after Citrix Synergy, and the audience could for the first time learn the lessons we experienced and we could see applications behavior is not “just” what you might think or expect it to be. Analytics is the key to understand your app. Lets talk about why…

Lets dig into the case study we did at Aibel

Aibel is an industrial pioneer with a history dating back more than a century. With around 5,500 employees worldwide the company is a leading supplier of engineering services related to oil, gas and renewable energy.

Aibel is a huge user of desktop virtualisation technology and is currently delivering virtual desktops to around 4,500 users. The challenge was to work out what to do with the remaining 1500 CAD/CAM workstations where graphics intensive modelling of 3D designs tied them to powerful physical workstations.

With projects occurring at the eight Aibel locations in Norway as well as at the Aibel offices in Thailand and Singapore the amount of data flowing across the WAN was increasing and becoming unwieldy. Large engineering models needed to be accessed on location and shared with engineers and designers in all Aibel office locations.

Virtualisation was seen as the solution to these issues but the challenge was how to virtualise graphics intensive workloads without impacting user experience or drive uneconomic datacentre specifications.

Partner Expertise

Firstpoint AS, a trusted Citrix Gold partner and virtualisation specialists, were brought in to advise Aibel on how to best virtualise this tricky user group.

They teamed up with Thomas Poppelgaard, an independent expert in virtualisation and GPU technologies and together they started an initial survey of Aibel’s situation.

GPU Acceleration Approach

It became quickly clear that the only way to successfully virtualise the 3D graphics workstations in an economically viable fashion was to deploy GPU acceleration technology in the datacentre. NVIDIA’s GRID cards would allow dedicated and shared GPU accelerators to be placed in the datacentre to be used by virtual desktops offloading server CPUs and removing user experience impact for other virtual desktop users.

The Challenge

Having identified the technology approach the challenge now was to work out how to size the workload of these 1500 users and design a solution that would deliver user experience at least as good as their current physical desktop experience. In order to do that the team needed to work out:

What graphics applications are in use today
Who is using which applications and workstations
What GPU processor power is being consumed today by application, user and workstationPoppelgaard.com and FirstPoint brought in Lakeside Software’s SysTrack to do this job. Using SysTrack’s granular data collection model they could model a complete picture of application and GPU workload across all the users and workstations in use at Aibel today.

The Outcome

Using SysTrack the team has been able to build a complete inventory of the existing application and workstation estate and user behaviour. Using these analytics and SysTrack technologies a detailed specification and design for the future NVIDIA GRID based desktop virtualisation infrastructure has been created. Aibel is able to trust this design

as it is completely based on observed data captured from their existing estate and modelled using industry leading technologies from Lakeside and NVIDIA to create the optimal solution for Aibel’s situation. Key in any design is to not over provision the solution and thereby inflate the cost of the solution. On the other hand under provisioning will lead to a poor user experience and potential project failure. SysTrack ensures the right data is used to make the right decision for the future estate.

The assessment was primarily executed to understand Aibel engineers CAD applications such as Aveva PDMS, Bentley Microstation, etc. Shown below is a summary of average GPU usage for 1500 physical machines which revealed surprisingly that internet browsers are very GPU intensive compared to other applications.

Another benefit of leveraging SysTrack was the SysTrack MarketPlace report that had been co-authored by Lakeside and NVIDIA which allowed the team to convert all the data collected into accurate sizing of the number of NVIDIA GRID cards by model number required to offload the GPU workload.

The output from SysTrack also showed how GPUs were being used across the existing estate and how hard they were being utilised. Using jointly authored Lakeside/NVIDIA reports this data was then used to calculate estimated vGPU profiles.