Has anyone on the list had much success in doing VDI for CG Workstations?

A VDI or Zero-Client solution is on our list-o-things to look into this year and would love to hear from the community.

Zorion Terrell

IT Manager | DHX Studios

e: zorion.terrell@dhxmedia.com

t: 604-684-2363 | m: 604-562-5148

380 West 5th Ave

Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y 1J5

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of julian firminger
Sent: September 14, 2017 3:49 AM
To: studiosysadmins-discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] CGI racked workstations

In that case...

There are plenty-o-arguments for PCoIP. But you'd be well worth looking at some KVM options. IHSE, ThinkLogical, Adder, there are more.

We run ~120 workstations in a DC, mostly AvidMC. We have a ThinkLogical and an SDI matrix side by side, all the Mojo/Aja/Nitris outputs run through the matrix and all the rest goes via the TL. Wtih just a fibre pair and SDI cable, we can deliver any workstation to any suite, in the building or down fibre we own to other cities.

Advantages over PCoE

* way more stable

* cannot suffer bandwidth problems, the only limitation is speed of light

* 4K capable

* Matrix style idiot proof "ws24>suit15: click/done" assignment

Disadvantages

* not IP, needs dedicated fibre per endpoint

* obviously wont go to a colo very well

Ya gotta plan ahead though. Every room in our buildings has 4 or 8 fibre plus SDI to it. I think every room except the toilets. Knowing our network architect (Harm van Houten, on this list) there probably is fibre in the toilets.

Julian Firminger

Senior Systems Administrator

United Broadcast Facilities

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

On Thu, Sep 14, 2017 at 12:03 PM, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:

Hi,

Thanks for all the inputs. Most helpful.

The reasons wed like to go down that route:

- Noise.

- Clutter.

- No risk of the odd spilt cup of tea/coffee ending up on an expensive machine.

- Easier/faster cabling/termination in the future.

- Hot desking.

- Remote work.

We would only have 15 machines maximum, on site.

Maybe in a collo, way down the line in the future.

If we need more in peak times, they will have to be deskside for now.

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Has anyone on the list had much success in doing VDI for CG Workstations?

A VDI or Zero-Client solution is on our list-o-things to look into this year and would love to hear from the community.

Zorion Terrell

IT Manager | DHX Studios

e: zorion.terrell@dhxmedia.com

t: 604-684-2363 | m: 604-562-5148

380 West 5th Ave

Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y 1J5

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of julian firminger
Sent: September 14, 2017 3:49 AM
To: studiosysadmins-discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] CGI racked workstations

In that case...

There are plenty-o-arguments for PCoIP.  But you'd be well worth looking at some KVM options.  IHSE, ThinkLogical, Adder, there are more. 

We run ~120 workstations in a DC, mostly AvidMC.  We have a ThinkLogical and an SDI matrix side by side, all the Mojo/Aja/Nitris outputs run through the matrix and all the rest goes via the TL.  Wtih just a fibre pair and SDI cable, we can deliver any workstation to any suite, in the building or down fibre we own to other cities.    

Advantages over PCoE

* way more stable

* cannot suffer bandwidth problems, the only limitation is speed of light

* 4K capable

* Matrix style idiot proof "ws24>suit15: click/done" assignment

Disadvantages

* not IP, needs dedicated fibre per endpoint

* obviously wont go to a colo very well

Ya gotta plan ahead though.  Every room in our buildings has 4 or 8 fibre plus SDI to it.  I think every room except the toilets.  Knowing our network architect (Harm van Houten, on this list) there probably is fibre in the toilets.  

Julian Firminger

Senior Systems Administrator

United Broadcast Facilities

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

On Thu, Sep 14, 2017 at 12:03 PM, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:

Hi,

 

Thanks for all the inputs. Most helpful.

 

The reasons wed like to go down that route:

-          Noise.

-          Clutter.

-          No risk of the odd spilt cup of tea/coffee ending up on an expensive machine.

-          Easier/faster cabling/termination in the future.

-          Hot desking.

-          Remote work.

 

We would only have 15 machines maximum, on site.

Maybe in a collo, way down the line in the future.

If we need more in peak times, they will have to be deskside for now.

 

Cheers,

F.

 

 

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Julian Firminger

Hi,

Thanks for all the inputs. Most helpful.

The reasons wed like to go down that route:

- Noise.

- Clutter.

- No risk of the odd spilt cup of tea/coffee ending up on an expensive machine.

- Easier/faster cabling/termination in the future.

- Hot desking.

- Remote work.

We would only have 15 machines maximum, on site.

Maybe in a collo, way down the line in the future.

If we need more in peak times, they will have to be deskside for now.

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Hi,

Thanks for all the inputs. Most helpful.

The reasons wed like to go down that route:

-          Noise.

-          Clutter.

-          No risk of the odd spilt cup of tea/coffee ending up on an expensive machine.

-          Easier/faster cabling/termination in the future.

-          Hot desking.

-          Remote work.

We would only have 15 machines maximum, on site.

Maybe in a collo, way down the line in the future.

If we need more in peak times, they will have to be deskside for now.

Cheers,

F.

I suspect this is out of scope but Thinklogical will do 4K. But that's not a WAN solution, it's strictly a KVM.

Julian Firminger

Senior Systems AdministratorUnited Broadcast FacilitiesAmsterdam, The Netherlands

On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 10:52 AM, Peter Smith <peter.smith@framestore.com> wrote:

Hey Fabrice.

You're a legend in my house! I see your name at least twice a day as the kids get their dose of "Hey Duggee". :-)

We use the 2U Dell units (7910) and 1U Fujitsu Celsuis C740.

HP t310 Zero clients.

All good.

On 12 September 2017 at 16:21, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:

Hello,

We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our artists, like this for example :

http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation

No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.

A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?

B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under the desk?

C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

--
Peter Smith Senior Systems Engineer
London New York Los Angeles Chicago Montral
T+44 (0)20 7344 8000 M+44 (0)7816 123009
19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ
Twitter Facebook framestore.com


To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

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Julian Firminger

Hey Fabrice.

You're a legend in my house! I see your name at least twice a day as the kids get their dose of "Hey Duggee". :-)

We use the 2U Dell units (7910) and 1U Fujitsu Celsuis C740.

HP t310 Zero clients.

All good.

On 12 September 2017 at 16:21, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:

Hello,

We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our artists, like this for example :

http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation

No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.

A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?

B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under the desk?

C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

--
Peter Smith Senior Systems Engineer
London New York Los Angeles Chicago Montral
T+44 (0)20 7344 8000 M+44 (0)7816 123009
19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ
Twitter Facebook framestore.com


To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Hello,

We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our artists, like this for example :

http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation

No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.

A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?

B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under the desk?

C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Saker can I ask what applications you're using over PCoIP over WAN? Ever get any complaints from artists about latency?

William Sandler
All Things Media, LLC
william.sandler@allthingsmedia.com
On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 1:50 PM, Jean-Francois Panisset <panisset@gmail.com> wrote:

We have some R7910s, they are basically 2U R730 servers with bundled
GPU and Teradici host cards.

The good points:

- complete vendor bundled system, so no finger pointing for support
- supported version of Windows 8.1 / Windows 10, including drivers:
rackmount class hardware typically only supports Windows Server
- iDRAC goodness
- 2U form factor leaves plenty of space for expansion
- 10 GbE networking can be configured as a daughtercard, so doesn't
take up PCIe slot
- solid feeling system

Not so good points:

- We have more of those systems fail than we've had generic Supermicro
systems fail (and we have a lot more of those)
- Reaching the right group at Dell support can be tricky, since it's
really a "server in workstation clothes", so you have to insist to
talk to the server folks
- Quality of Dell support seems to be going down, we've had a system
down for a few weeks and still can't get them to ship parts or someone
to come take a look at it. Previously things got taken care of very
quickly, so maybe just a one off bad experience?

JF




On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 8:21 AM, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
>
> We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our
> artists, like this for example :
>
> http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation
>
> No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based
> in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.
>
>
>
> A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?
>
> B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under
> the desk?
>
> C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or
> other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> F.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to
> mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe
To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

We have some R7910s, they are basically 2U R730 servers with bundled
GPU and Teradici host cards.

The good points:

- complete vendor bundled system, so no finger pointing for support
- supported version of Windows 8.1 / Windows 10, including drivers:
rackmount class hardware typically only supports Windows Server
- iDRAC goodness
- 2U form factor leaves plenty of space for expansion
- 10 GbE networking can be configured as a daughtercard, so doesn't
take up PCIe slot
- solid feeling system

Not so good points:

- We have more of those systems fail than we've had generic Supermicro
systems fail (and we have a lot more of those)
- Reaching the right group at Dell support can be tricky, since it's
really a "server in workstation clothes", so you have to insist to
talk to the server folks
- Quality of Dell support seems to be going down, we've had a system
down for a few weeks and still can't get them to ship parts or someone
to come take a look at it. Previously things got taken care of very
quickly, so maybe just a one off bad experience?

JF




On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 8:21 AM, Fabrice Altman <fabrice@studioaka.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
>
> We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our
> artists, like this for example :
>
> http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation
>
> No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based
> in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.
>
>
>
> A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?
>
> B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under
> the desk?
>
> C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or
> other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> F.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to
> mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe
To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe

Hello,

We are thinking of making the switch to racked 2U workstations for our artists, like this for example :

http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-workstations/precision-rack-7000-series-7910/spd/precision-r7910-workstation

No real vendor preference yet though. We are a mid-sized Windows shop, based in the UK, using Maya, Nuke, Adobe, etc.

A/ Can you suggest different vendors that do these types of workstations?

B/ Are there some cons into having the PCs rack mounted, as opposed to under the desk?

C/ I cannot see a 4K compatible Teradici based client. Are they some, or other hardware of the same type, to work remotely with 4K?

Cheers,

F.

To unsubscribe from the list send a blank e-mail to mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-request@studiosysadmins.com?subject=unsubscribe