Transcript Layering Use Cases

MODULE 1: INTRO TO UNIDESK
Agenda
• The Basics of Unidesk Layering
• Layer storage model
• Layering Use Cases
Module 1
UNDERSTANDING BASIC LAYERING
What is a layer?
• A layer is storage entity
in an NTFS file system
that stores files and
registry entries for:
C:\DIR\A.DAT (from O/S)
C:\DIR\B.DAT (from App)
C:\DIR\D.DAT (from User)
C:
CF
S
– Applications
– Operating Systems and
– User changes
• Our Composite File
System (CFS) presents
these to windows as
“merged”
User
App
O/S
C:\DIR\A.DAT
C:\DIR\D.DAT
C:\DIR\B.DAT
C:\DIR\D.DAT
Layering applied to desktops
File 1 Registry entry 1
File 2 Registry entry 2
File 3 Registry entry 3
Base OS File Sys
Base OS Registry
Registry
Merge
File
System
Filter
Three Types of Layers
• User/Personalization Layer (read/write from desktop)
– Machine specific – Domain info, profile, user installed apps, etc.
– Actually is two VDMKs sub-layers: one called “Control” the other
“Data”
• “Application” Layers (read only from the desktop)
– Shared by desktops
– Created by IT admin
– Not just for applications or just single applications
• Operating System Layer (read only from the desktop)
– “Gold Image”
– Created and maintained/updated by IT
What the Desktop “Sees”
How does Windows find the ‘stuff.exe’ ?
1) User launches stuff.exe
from CRM application
2) Is it Data or Control?
It is Control
CFS
4) Query CRM? Yes!
Satisfy I/O request
Windows
Office
3) Query User Control?
Not found.
CRM
User
Data
User
Control
BASIC LAYER STORAGE
Layers Stored as VDMKs
• Stored on any standard
ESX datastore
– (local or SAN)
• Broken into 3 directories
– User
– App
– OS
• Thin Provisioned VMDKs
are the standard storage
format
LAYERING USE CASES
Key Use Cases
•
•
•
•
Full User/Machine Personalization
Storage Reduction for persistent desktops
Simplified application packaging (layering)
Supporting applications that are not
supported by app virtualization products
• Reduced number of gold images
• Simple desktop repair (not re-imaging)
QUESTIONS YOU MAY SEE AGAIN
Review Questions
• How many types of layers does Unidesk
support?
• Unidesk stores layers on what types of
datastores?
• The personalization layer is split into how
many “sub layers”
• What does CFS stand for?