Tuning PCoIP for high performance workloads

Rate this Article
Average: 1 (3 votes)

This articles provides 4 reference workloads that demonstrate how PCoIP can be optimized 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Tuning options for Workloads of various types 

 

Tuning options for Workloads of various types

The following reference workloads highlight how the remote user experience can be tuned and optimized to ensure a quality display based on the characteristics of the workload.  The four reference workloads are:

  1. Office workload that remotes typical office applications suites. Used by knowledge based workers or power office workers.   
  2. 3D rendering workload that provides a high interactivity user experience.  Useful for CAD design or 3D rendering applications that are used by designers or artists.
  3. High fidelity workload that remotes high fidelity content with full color accuracy.  Typically deployed to artists, designers or scientists.   
  4. Video playback workload that remotes a performance workload designed for users that work with H.264 based video content on bandwidth constrained networks.

 

Office workload

The Office workload offers a remote user experience that is indistinguishable from accessing the workstation on a PC locally.  This workload offers:

  • Text that is clear, with sharp transitions that are easy on the eyes.
  • Office Application that are usable without lag, delay or compromise.
  • Browser Applications that are usable without lag, delay or compromise including the ability to watch full screen YouTube videos.

Use HP Anyware Standard Agent for office users that are accessing their office applications from a VM that that does not offer a GPU.   For power users, we recommend upgrading the experience by adding a GPU on the host VM or alternatively, installing a remote workstation card inside the remote host.  If a GPU is installed on the remote host, the HP Anyware Graphics agent should be used.  If the Remote Workstation card is installed in the remote host use the RWC Agent.
 

  HP Anyware
Standard Agent 
HP Anyware
Graphics Agent 

Remote
Workstations Agent

Resolutions:
Monitor #1:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)   up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)   up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) 
Monitor #2,3,4:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) ​​​​​up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA)
Agent Optimizations:
  enable_build_to_lossless: 1 (on) 1 (on) 1 (On)
  frame_rate_vs_quality_factor:  50 50 50
  Ultra Optimizations: 1 (1=CPU) 1 (1=CPU) -

  

3D Rendering workload

The 3D Rendering workload offers a user experience that is tuned for high interactivity offering frame rates between 30-60 fps.  This workload offers:

  • 3D Rendering: Ability to manipulate 3D objects without delay or lag.
  • Video Editing: Ability to interactively edit a video stream without delay or lag.
  • Gaming: Ability to interactively play a gaming stream without delay or lag.
  • Text that is clear, with sharp transitions that are easy on the eyes.
  • Office Application that are usable without lag, delay or compromise.
  • Browser Applications that are usable without lag, delay or compromise including the ability to watch full screen YouTube videos.

Deploy, a Remote Workstation Card coupled with Zero Client for frame rates up to 30 fps.  Deploy, the HP Anyware Graphics Agent coupled with high performance software clients for frame rates up to 60 fps.
 

  HP Anyware
Graphics Agent 

Remote Workstations 
Card Agent

Resolutions:
  Monitor #1:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)    up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)
  Monitor #2,3,4:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) ​​​​​ up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA) 
Frame Rates:
  Monitor #1: 30-60 fps 30 fps
  Monitor #2,3,4: < 30 fps < 30 fps
Agent Optimizations:
  enable_build_to_lossless: 0 (Off) 0 (Off)
  frame_rate_vs_quality_factor:  10 10
  Ultra Optimizations: 3 (auto-offload) -

 

High Fidelity workload 

The High Fidelity workload offers a remote user experience that is indistinguishable from accessing the workstation on a PC locally.  This workload is able to remote:

  • Color Accuracy with remote displays that produce 100% accurate color on the remote desktop,
  • High Fidelity Images displayed with no lossless image accuracy, 
  • Text that is clear, with sharp transitions that are easy on the eyes,
  • Office Application that are usable without lag, delay or compromise,
  • Browser Applications that are usable without lag, delay or compromise including the ability to watch full screen YouTube videos,

Use either the HP Anyware Graphic agent or Remote Workstation card for this performance workload.
 

  HP Anyware
Graphics Agent 

Remote
Workstations Agent

Resolutions:
  Monitor #1:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)   up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) 
  Monitor #2/3/4:   up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) ​​​​​ up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA)
Agent Optimizations:
  enable_build_to_lossless: 1 (On) 1 (On)
  frame_rate_vs_quality_factor:  90 90
  Ultra Optimizations: 1 (CPU) -

 

Video Playback workloads

The Video Playback workload offers a remote user experience that is indistinguishable from accessing the workstation on a PC locally when dealing with H.264 content.  This workload is able to remote the following services on a bandwidth constrained network:

  • Ability to playback and broadcast videos without introducing network artifacts 
  • Ability to keep the audio and video in sync.  

Use the HP Anyware Graphic agent with Performance based software clients.
 

  HP Anyware
Graphics Agent 
Resolutions:
  Monitor #1:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD) 
  Monitor #2,3,4:  up to 3840x2160 (4K/UHD)
Frame Rates:
  Monitor #1 30-60 fps
  Monitor #2,3,4:  < 30 fps
Agent Optimizations:
  enable_build_to_lossless: 1 (On)
  frame_rate_vs_quality_factor:  90
  Ultra Optimizations: 2 (GPU-Offload)
Client Optimizations:
   Enable A/V Sync Windows, Mac, Linux

 

Workloads compared

All the workloads will work well when deployed either on a LAN or high-performance WAN (i.e., 900000 Kbps).  The High Fidelity and 3D rendering workloads will consume the most bandwidth while the Office and Video Playback are tuned to use less bandwidth.
 

 

Office

Video Playback 
(Limited Bandwidth)

3D Rendering
 

High Fidelity 
 

Recommended PCoIP Agent: 
  Standard Agent Yes No No No
  Graphics Agent Yes Yes Yes Yes
  Remote Workstation Agent  Yes No Yes* Yes*
         
Recommended Agent Configurations:
         
Frame Rates: 4-16 30-60 30 30
         
User Profiles A/B/C/D/E B/C A/B A/B
         
  Ultra Optimizations:* 0 (Disabled) 2 (GPU)  3 (Auto-Offload) 1 (CPU)
  Expected Bandwidth + + ++ +++

 

(*) ULTRA optimizations are not available when using the Remote Workstation Card or when using Zero Clients.