Max number of active layer...?
I'm curious to see what the maximun number of layers most are running on their SVS platforms. I ask this in regard to a current issue that I seem to be having on multiple hardware platforms that I'm attemping to get SVS working on. They are very similar in specs but fundamentally different in components. One platform is from now defunct MPC and the other is Lenovo. Either way, after the Windows XP loading screen, the black screen that should quickly follow before the logon prompt is lasting much longer than it should. For example, SVS installed, no active layers, approx 3 seconds between the end of the XP loading screen to logon prompt. SVS install, 10 or more active layers, time from end of the XP loading screen to logon prompt escalates from 3 seconds to anywhere from 1-5 minutes.
Now I say starting at 10 or more layers mainly because that's when the time jumps to more than 6 seconds. If we activate a 'full layer load' we're activating up to 94 individual layers. Would the delay due to the fact that the system is loading and activating such a large number of layers or would something else be rearing it's ugly head and potentially causing the boot delay?
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66ghz
Windows XP SP3 with latest hotfixes
2 GB RAM
SoundMax Integrated HD audio
ATi Radeon HD 3470
150GB SATA HDD
Domain environment without policies applied
Layers were created using Single Program installs unless Global was needed (Adobe, Office, Pinnacle Studio) under SVS v2.1.3071
Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?
-Brian
Yep, more layers = more delay
We experimented with SVS awhile back in trying to get a full load of software that was completely virtualized, but when we reached 63, the system login and bootup time alone was pretty painful. We had everything virtualized, Office, Web Browsers, Calendar Apps, Maya, Autocad, etc and while the SVS layers did work, we had a login time substantially higher.
"The happiness of your life, depends on the quality of your thoughts."
Yeah, that's what I was
Yeah, that's what I was afraid was happening. Did you back off some of the layers to go get a better load time and put more into your base or did you just accept the additional load times? If you accepted the additional load time did your users report negatively back about the 'issue'? I'm in an educational environment so I'm attempting to gather as much information on the matter before I need to report up the chain.
Thanks.
Affirmative
We did throttle back the layers so that we are using about 5 now, only a fraction of what we had in testing, but the directors want to take a cautious approach to virtualization to be safe. By the Fall or early Spring, we will be using 15-20 and then full production by the following Fall.
However, I did receive approval to virtualize all last minute applications to preserve compatibility which means that we will have at least a dozen more probably.
"The happiness of your life, depends on the quality of your thoughts."
One idea here
I've been trying to rearchitect the way installations are done here so that, at least in an educational setting, the registrar's office can gather the classes and teachers, an instructional technologist can meet and gather the necessary software load, and then the load can be installed and tested. In theory, you could script all of that out using Altiris DS and any last minute requests could be done via an AppStream deployment or a Software Package of some sort.
"The happiness of your life, depends on the quality of your thoughts."
One thing I have noticed
One thing I have noticed while beta testing 6.1, they've gone to a staggered layer activation. It will activate a handful of layers to begin with and then continue to activate them in the background in the meantime while you begin to use the system. I've gone down from over 2-5 minutes load time back down to 5 seconds. Perhaps this would be something that could help you in your trials as well. Hopefully Symantec will release 6.1 here soon to public.
Awesomeness
That is a significant load time difference. All of our tests were done using 2.1 so I am anxious to try out 6.1. We are preparing to migrate to CMS Level 2 here and use SVS more than we are today. As of right now, I have virtualized over 100 applications, but am only allowed to use a handful at any given time. However, by the following Fall, our Imagecasting Group has approved a 100% AppStream approach so all software will be virtualized on campus except drivers and antivirus!
"The happiness of your life, depends on the quality of your thoughts."
Palvaran, Contact your Sales
Palvaran,
Contact your Sales Rep to see if you can get 6.1, if you can't I can send you a link to get it for testing purposes.
On a general note: We're always working on ways to try and speed up activation times when you've got a lot of layers already active.
I don't think we have any set numbers but 10 layers active at once seam to be the cut off point where performance really gets hit--but this is not set in stone because it really depends on the type of content in a layer. Office, for example, takes a greater toll then Firefox and it's not always the amount of files and registry keys that affect this as well.
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Jordan, what was the last
Jordan, what was the last revision before the 'showstopper' bug was found and put 6.1 on hold? I'm currently testing with 6.1.4047. Is that right or was there one after this?
4047 is the RC where the
4047 is the RC where the issue is but that bug was related to only specific streaming integration issues so if all you're doing is virtualization you shouldn't see any issues.
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Could you give me a quick
Could you give me a quick brief of the issue or point me to some place that has the streaming integration documented? I am working with some streaming integration and have seen some issues with it. Currently using custom scripting but we're trying to move towards some DS type delivery solutions.
The bug was related to
The bug was related to multi-user enviroments and streaming MSIs directly into a layer.
If a forum post solves your problem please flag is as the solution
I you like an article, blog post or download vote it up
Don't forget
If you install 50 conventional applications this will introduce a significant loading and logon delay. So we are still subject to the normal startup operations of the OS. But as Jordan noted, I have no doubts that our amazing Dev team is always working on ways to improve performance.
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