Remote Workstation Graphics Card
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6.3
About PCoIP zero clients
PCoIP zero clients are secure, hardware-based endpoints that
allow users to connect to a remote host PC or virtual desktop
over a local or wide area IP network. They support multiple
wide-screen formats, HD audio, and local USB peripherals,
providing a rich multimedia experience for users.
6.3.1
Functionality
Zero clients can take many form factors, such as desktop boxes
and rack-mounted cards. Amulet Hotkey DXZ4 zero clients are
small, cased devices for your desktop.
Users can interact with their desktops from any type of zero
client and can even continue the same session if they move
between zero client devices.
6.3.2 Data handling
PCoIP zero clients use a highly integrated Tera-series processor
to perform image decompression and decoding. At the desktop,
they decrypt, decompress and distribute video, audio and USB
data to the standard desktop peripherals, such as monitors,
keyboard, mouse, and speakers or headset. A zero client also
passes user-generated USB and audio data back to a remote
PCoIP host (see
To ensure desktop responsiveness, the process of image com-
pression-encryption-transmission by the PCoIP host and then
decryption-decompression by the zero client happens very
quickly, typically in just one frame (or less than 15 msecs).
6.4
Benefits of PCoIP zero clients
Because zero clients just decode pixels to display images, they
can be far simpler and more secure than a traditional desktop PC
and other thin client solutions. They offer:
•
;
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•
6.4.1 Increased security
As PCoIP zero clients have a stateless architecture and no local
data storage, they are the most secure endpoint available.
Pixel transfers to the zero client are encrypted with advanced
security algorithms. Zero clients are also immune to viruses
and never need anti-virus updates. Finally, zero clients comply
with the most stringent government and security mandates. In
particular, they support robust USB hardware security author
-
ization, including user authentication and single sign-on (SSO)
based on smart cards, proximity cards and other SSO devices.
6.1.2
Multi-codec display processing
A PC display includes different types of image elements (text,
graphics, icons, video). Using the same codec to encode all these
elements would use excessive network bandwidth. Instead,
PCoIP continuously analyses and decomposes image elements,
using the right codec for each pixel.
PCoIP’s intelligent image decomposition and encoding results in
efficient transmission and decoding. This saves bandwidth while
delivering the best user experience. In addition, PCoIP builds
every pixel to a lossless state when they stop changing, ensuring
a pixel-perfect image on the zero client regardless of network
limitations.
6.1.3
Dynamically adapts to network conditions
The PCoIP protocol lets you easily set image quality settings to
manage bandwidth use and delivers the best possible
performance for the network conditions.
On congested networks, PCoIP adaptive encoders automatically
adjust image quality within the limits you set. When the network
is no longer congested, they automatically resume maximum
image quality.
6.2 About PCoIP hosts
6.2.1
Host function
A PCoIP host is a card that converts a remote PC (or blade
workstation) into a pixel broadcast centre. The host’s Tera-series
processor uses advanced algorithms to encode a user’s full
desktop environment, allowing the host to deliver high-end
images to a zero client in any location.
In a PCoIP system, the PCoIP host is installed inside or near to
the remote PC. The host takes digital video, audio and USB data
generated by the PC and compresses and encrypts this data. It
then transmits this data in real time over an IP network to the
user’s PCoIP zero client.
6.2.2 Host types
The DXP4 is a PCoIP host card that installs into a PCIe slot.
Other Amulet Hotkey PCoIP hosts are available in various form
factors. Some install inside a PC while others are located near to
a PC and connect to video, USB and audio ports using standard
cables.
Amulet Hotkey also supply a range of PCoIP blade workstations
based on the class leading Tier 1 devices from Dell. These work
-
stations include Amulet Hotkey BIOS and PCIe mezzanine cards
to provide hardware GPU and PCoIP acceleration.
See our website for more information.
