Testing ideas

How many simultaneous connections? If I'm logged in at work (Dell Wyse), can I log in from home (browser)?

• Test from a browser of another computer in the office, first.
• Can I log into it from a browser running from within my VDI?!

Use Box.com folder to facilitate using and moving files into my CU-based Box.com account.

• Does have Box Edit installed.

Can I run my Dell Wyse client with PCoIP turned off?

• This helps determine the value of using a Teradici-licensed client. If performance OK, than can consider using cheaper clients.
•  Aso, if it performs OK on decent hardware, then the question is how does it perform on low performance (even cheaper!) hardware? Raspberry Pi, anyone?

In MS Outlook, I set that the "Delete" button would show on any message I compose.

• Does is it retained over time, through reboots?

Issues Oliver is having

NEW reported issue to CIT, as of 5/4/15:

I can see anyone’s files within our file share, such all directories here:

\\files.cornell.edu\as\chm\Users

I’m using my basic <oh10> account to log in (the only one I’m paying for within CIT’s VDI service); nothing special.

We have verified that permissions on the above directories are correct. Indeed, on any other Windows computer, permissions are respected. Thus I suspect the CIT VDI instance is giving me elevated privileges to my account in an unintended way.

More details: I just tested more directories and I can seem to see into any directory below <\as\chm\> AND everywhere below <\as\PHY\>. However, one level above those <\as\>, I was not able to get to other directories I tested at that level, FWIW.

To clarify: My basic <oh10> AD account should not get broad access to either of the Chm or Phy levels, even though my IT group supports both Chemistry and Physics. And I confirmed I cannot get access to them when using my <oh10> account from within other Windows systems, other than CIT’s VDI.

In this case, my directories are on a file server provisioned by A&S IT, a service used to support A&S staff and admin-related services.

Why I think this is critical: We need to trust file shares will respect the permissions set on directories and files and thus are capable of holding data which is designated NOT to be shared. When that trust is compromised the value of the file share service is severely compromised. This can lead staff to find alternative locations for data (such as performance reviews and salaries), perhaps using places not very "good" from an institutional perspective, even as they may nominally seem to meet a staff member's own needs.

CU View blocked (Java plug-in)

Pertains to all of the campus's views:

https://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/about/campusview.html

Details:

Java Plug-in 10.79.2.15

Using JRE version 1.7.0_79-b15 Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM

User home directory = C:\Users\oh10

----------------------------------------------------

Notes prior to 4/20/15 (as reported to CIT, INC000001364135)

FIXED: Quest tool upgrade delayed

Quest server was upgraded over the weekend. By Monday morning (4/20/15), the Quest client was not updated so access to service via fat client not possible:

File share access

A properly configured file share short-cut fails to work, per dialog presented below. And default of the dialog is to remove the short-cut-  ouch!

• The short-cut always works the second time it's selected.

Printing

1) Can't install a printer for which the driver is installed. (HP)

2) Losing duplex (double-sided) capability for one printer. (HP)

• This happens after printer is initially made to see that it is double-sided, and defaulted to using duplex. Or something like that!
  • Is the root problem actually a VDI issue? Or can the problem appear on any Windows system? Perhaps must better characterize problem.
• The Dell printer does not exhibit this problem. It always shows it is duplex capable. And it retains its setting to defaulting to double-sided.

3) Also, default printer is not retained.

Keeps to WebEx Document Loader. See below in the "Doesn't retain settings" section for screenshot.

USB flash drive

Can't see USB storage device at all. Simple USB flash, 64MB from Dell.

iPhone plugged in by USB (to charge it) is recognized by the computer.

Doesn't retain settings, such as "don't ask me again" or "remember this"

• iPhone: Trust this computer? I say Yes, and remember that. It won't remember it.
• MS Office: Stop auto-correcting. Such as automatically imposing formatting on bullet lists in Outlook:
  
• MS Office: In Outlook, does not remember that I added the delete button in my ribbon bar:
  
• Java: Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager:
  

  

• Adobe Acrobat:
  
• Default printer reverts off from "mine" to WebEx Document Loader (when does reversion occur? Everytime? Whenever WebEx updated? Other?)
  
  ...and..
  

Built-in camera

Camera only works when object placed an inch or less from the lens. (Tested with Skype.) Won't detect or refresh otherwise. Odd!

• Dell person told me no camera driver available. ETA?
• An old, external, USB camera, works just fine.

Notes

CIT's VDI service permits user to download MS updates. But naturally if you do, they get wiped out when you next reboot. Why permit? Maybe useful to get updates which don't require a reboot, I suppose.

Resources and other info

CIT's service's pricing:

• http://www.it.cornell.edu/services/desktop-everywhere/about/fees.cfm

Amazon Web Service (AWS) offers a similar service (WorkSpaces), for about 5 times the cost (as of 3/2015):

• http://aws.amazon.com/workspaces/pricing/

Teradici’s PC-over-IP (PCoIP) technology nominally affords the best performance. CIT (and AWS) offers PCoIP on its hosting infrastructure. Clients have to have this licensed technology to use it, and it is not available on Raspberry Pi-type devices.

• http://www.teradici.com/product-finder/zero-clients/monitors-and-laptops
• http://www.teradici.com/pcoip-technology
• NOTE: One can use a client which doesn't use PCoIP, but performance is less (how much less?).