Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI)
Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above
Hi, My understanding is that RDP works fine as long as you have Jaws installed on the server. This is assuming the VMWare software is using RDP. Jaws and Window-eyes supports Terminal server, Citrix and RDP. I have not tested it since I haven't had the need. Sean ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Hodgson" <Andrew.Hodgson@allpay.net> To: "Blind sysadmins list" <blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 7:05 PM Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
Andrew: A couple points, first off nothing is forcing you to use a thin client with these systems. So, the blind person could in theory use a standard PC and access their session via RDP. At that point its just like any other RDP session to a remote machine and the virtual channels should work fine. Also, a lot of these thin clients are actually running Windows XP under the hood. So it should be possible to install a screen reader onto the thin client and use the RDP session as normal. I've got a thin client at work that I can play with whenever I get the chance, but so far its not come up and I've not had time to do so. I have played a little with Xen Desktop, and unfortunately my results were not good. With Window-Eyes 7.1 the Xen would BSOD every few minutes while it was being used after Window-Eyes was launched. Not what I'd call a good start honestly. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:05 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
Andrew: A couple points, first off nothing is forcing you to use a thin client with these systems. So, the blind person could in theory use a standard PC and access their session via RDP. At that point its just like any other RDP session to a remote machine and the virtual channels should work fine. Also, a lot of these thin clients are actually running Windows XP under the hood. So it should be possible to install a screen reader onto the thin client and use the RDP session as normal. I've got a thin client at work that I can play with whenever I get the chance, but so far its not come up and I've not had time to do so. I have played a little with Xen Desktop, and unfortunately my results were not good. With Window-Eyes 7.1 the Xen would BSOD every few minutes while it was being used after Window-Eyes was launched. Not what I'd call a good start honestly. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:05 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
Hi, The thin client wasn't the issue. On the system I saw last week, you had to RDP into a VmWare server, then that would boot up the relevant image after you authenticated to the VmWare side. You would then run XP or whatever through the VmWare server, but the RDP from the thin client/workstation to the remote workstation would be going through the VmWare system. Once the system was logged out, then your session would terminate, and the virtual desktop would be powered off. You could theoretically remote in via RDP to the desktop directly if you configured it such that the desktop was always on, or on within specific times. Thanks. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Shugart Sent: 23 August 2010 13:42 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Andrew: A couple points, first off nothing is forcing you to use a thin client with these systems. So, the blind person could in theory use a standard PC and access their session via RDP. At that point its just like any other RDP session to a remote machine and the virtual channels should work fine. Also, a lot of these thin clients are actually running Windows XP under the hood. So it should be possible to install a screen reader onto the thin client and use the RDP session as normal. I've got a thin client at work that I can play with whenever I get the chance, but so far its not come up and I've not had time to do so. I have played a little with Xen Desktop, and unfortunately my results were not good. With Window-Eyes 7.1 the Xen would BSOD every few minutes while it was being used after Window-Eyes was launched. Not what I'd call a good start honestly. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:05 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
Hmm interesting, that's not how the systems I've seen work. The ones I've seen you RDP directly to the machine, or Citrix, or whatever. In fact, I'd think the system of double connections that you described would just introduce actual complexity. But as you said, just configure the desktop to always stay on, and problem solved. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 6:58 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, The thin client wasn't the issue. On the system I saw last week, you had to RDP into a VmWare server, then that would boot up the relevant image after you authenticated to the VmWare side. You would then run XP or whatever through the VmWare server, but the RDP from the thin client/workstation to the remote workstation would be going through the VmWare system. Once the system was logged out, then your session would terminate, and the virtual desktop would be powered off. You could theoretically remote in via RDP to the desktop directly if you configured it such that the desktop was always on, or on within specific times. Thanks. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Shugart Sent: 23 August 2010 13:42 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Andrew: A couple points, first off nothing is forcing you to use a thin client with these systems. So, the blind person could in theory use a standard PC and access their session via RDP. At that point its just like any other RDP session to a remote machine and the virtual channels should work fine. Also, a lot of these thin clients are actually running Windows XP under the hood. So it should be possible to install a screen reader onto the thin client and use the RDP session as normal. I've got a thin client at work that I can play with whenever I get the chance, but so far its not come up and I've not had time to do so. I have played a little with Xen Desktop, and unfortunately my results were not good. With Window-Eyes 7.1 the Xen would BSOD every few minutes while it was being used after Window-Eyes was launched. Not what I'd call a good start honestly. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:05 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
Hmm interesting, that's not how the systems I've seen work. The ones I've seen you RDP directly to the machine, or Citrix, or whatever. In fact, I'd think the system of double connections that you described would just introduce actual complexity. But as you said, just configure the desktop to always stay on, and problem solved. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 6:58 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, The thin client wasn't the issue. On the system I saw last week, you had to RDP into a VmWare server, then that would boot up the relevant image after you authenticated to the VmWare side. You would then run XP or whatever through the VmWare server, but the RDP from the thin client/workstation to the remote workstation would be going through the VmWare system. Once the system was logged out, then your session would terminate, and the virtual desktop would be powered off. You could theoretically remote in via RDP to the desktop directly if you configured it such that the desktop was always on, or on within specific times. Thanks. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Shugart Sent: 23 August 2010 13:42 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Andrew: A couple points, first off nothing is forcing you to use a thin client with these systems. So, the blind person could in theory use a standard PC and access their session via RDP. At that point its just like any other RDP session to a remote machine and the virtual channels should work fine. Also, a lot of these thin clients are actually running Windows XP under the hood. So it should be possible to install a screen reader onto the thin client and use the RDP session as normal. I've got a thin client at work that I can play with whenever I get the chance, but so far its not come up and I've not had time to do so. I have played a little with Xen Desktop, and unfortunately my results were not good. With Window-Eyes 7.1 the Xen would BSOD every few minutes while it was being used after Window-Eyes was launched. Not what I'd call a good start honestly. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:05 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
No but wow, I feel like I've gone full circle. Suncom XTerminal hardware anyone? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Hodgson" <Andrew.Hodgson@allpay.net> To: "Blind sysadmins list" <blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 2:05 AM Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Accessibility of desktop virtualisation (VDI) Hi, Just wondered if anyone has come across desktop virtualisation? This is where the client logs on using RDP (through a thin client), and once they enter in their username and password, they are given their own desktop image, which is manipulated through the thin client. Products which currently are doing this include Vmware Ace - http://www.vmware.com/products/ace and Citrix Xen Desktop http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop4 These products are replacing the traditional terminal services/Citrix Presentation server model for regular thin client users in for example call centres and secure environments. I was looking at these products last week at a reference site, and so far as I can tell, we lose the virtual channel between the remote desktop and the machine, because the RDP connection is going through the virtual desktop server, which gives the user access to the correct image. There seems to be strong sound support however, so we could get at the system that way. There are also agents that can be deployed on the machine connecting to the desktop server, that facilitates higher graphics support and other features. Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this type of system? Thanks. Andrew. -- 98% of our clients would recommend us Client Survey Jan 2010 Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. © 2009 - 2010 allpay Limited Fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Telephone: 0844 225 5729 Fax: 0844 557 8350 Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay Information Security Manager at the number above _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
participants (4)
-
Andrew Hodgson -
Ryan Shugart -
Scott Granados -
Sean Murphy