Issue link: https://insights.oneneck.com/i/1364590
From the Launchpad the user is able to run applications and desktops and access files. Note that if a user just needs to access a particular application—whether it's a standard Windows application, a custom in-house application, or a Linux application—they can launch the application directly without opening a desktop. The user's Xi Frame session doesn't begin until they launch an application or desktop. Once they do, a VM instance of the appropriate type is allocated to them. The user has the ability to select the instance type they need (if enabled) before commencing a session. After a session begins, users see the application or desktop with the Xi Frame status bar at the bottom of the browser window. This status bar allows them to see how Frame is performing and provides access to various Frame features including the ability to launch other applications inside the same session and switch between them for multi-application workflows. Other capabilities available to users include (if configured): sharing a session to collaborate with another user, printing, switching the session type, and access to cloud storage. In addition, the Frame status bar includes a variety of useful performance information such as: • Network bandwidth and latency • Distance to server • Window scaling • Elapsed time/Max session time Figure 2. The Xi Frame status bar. When users are done with their sessions, they have two options: • Disconnect. This preserves the running state of the session, enabling the user to reconnect (from a different device if desired) and start working where they left off. • Close Session. This ends the session and frees the associated VM. The VM returns to the initial state. User Profiles in Xi Frame In VDI environments, it's common to distinguish between "persistent" versus "non-persistent" desktops. Persistent desktops allow users to save their preferences and data just like on physical desktops or laptops. With non-persistent desktops, every time a user logs out and logs bacj in the desktop returns to a default state that they have no control over. Xi Frame offers a "best of both worlds" experience: persistence of user data and profiles, coupled with user data mobility on a non-persistent desktop. This gives users the desired flexibility and faster access to applications because there's no wait time to boot up a specific image for each user. • User profiles. Xi Frame supports user profiles that persist between sessions allowing users to save their preferences for things like application settings, background, fonts, etc. When user profiles are enabled, every time an authenticated user logs in to Xi Frame that user's profile will be in effect. • User data. Xi Frame supports persistence and mobility of user data by intelligent use of cloud drives like One Drive and G Drive. Each user's cloud drive is mapped into the user desktop at login, and users can save data on the cloud drive just as naturally as they would to a local desktop file system. Xi Frame currently does not allow users to install their own applications. However, Xi Frame does allow your organization to create multiple launchpads for different sets of users, reducing the need for custom software. | 18