Bravo SoftBlade Server - Notes for DiFA

September 9, 2009

Conceptual Points

• The Host PC (physical) is a normal computer running
  • Bravo PMS 6.0 x64, based on
  • a customized Operating System XP Professional x64 Edition, and
  • a special system application: VirtualPC 2007 x64
• The Guest PC is an imaginary "computer", simulated by software
  • which exists only in the virtual world, and
  • can be turned on/off, crashed, restarted, etc.
  • interact with other computers (including SBS Server) on the network
  • can be made remotely accessible
  • basically functions just like a real PC
• SoftBlade Server hardware:
  • the Core 2 Quad processor is essentially 4 independent CPUs in a chip
  • with a pool of 4G ~ 16G memory, dynamically allocated and shared by VPCs
  • with 500G ~ 2T hard drive space
• SoftBlade Server is "headless" (without console)
  • administered via remote desktop connection only
  • similar to SWX, the Linux Gateway Server (via web interface)
  • generally very minimal admin tasks required
  • headless recovery is possible with special SoftBlade Custom Restore disc

Procedures for DiFA

• After boot of SoftBlade server
  • must login as DIFA to auto-launch VPC2007
  • verify the suspended VPCs are automatically resumed
  • manually start/stop VPCs as needed
  • optionally, test access to VPCs via RDP
• always disconnect RDP session to prevent inadvertent interference
• do not logoff/shutdown; after admin tasks completed
• notify all active VPC users, prior to shutdown/restart
• VirtualPC Console
  • practice steps to: start/monitor/interact with/stop VPCs
  • with a crashed VPC, close session window for option to "Turn Off"
  • minimize VPC Console, to suppress thumbnail generation
  • minimize all launched VPC sessions, so stop rendering VPC console video
  • do not tamper with program options and individual VPC settings

Keep host PC clean and isolated

• tasks on host PC will adversely affect guest PCs performance and stability
• do not run anything from the host PC
• certainly do not use Internet from host PC!
• absolutely NEVER install anything, NO NO NO
• never attempt to "update" the host PC, which has been careful stripped down, locked down, customized and frozen. Any automatic update will render it default settings.

VPC Usage Concerns

• train and remind users to always logoff after use
• forgetting to logoff means others cannot use the shared machine
• Portals can be created to facilitate file transfer between personal workstation and VPC
• Data Backup, etc.
  • standard organization & file management principles apply, just like on a real PC
  • in general all non-transient data files should be kept in appropriate server locations, not locally
  • if backup is required, notify me and make arrangement