AWS Summit 2019 - Session 2: Using Amazon Workspaces

Wiorkspaces for computer labs, but could be great for our Remote Access stuff
WorkSpaces running Windows or Linux
AppStream 2.0
browser
Windows application "anyhwere any time"

WorkSpaces

hourly or monthly (?)
replace VDI
enable BYOD/flexibility
Project-based opportunity also (can give people a lot more power for a little bit, on the old crappy computers we have)
Also could be good for EVAL
TEST AND DEV ENVIRONMENTS
data security too, no need to ever download anything
how does it work with local file copies and printers?
what is the required software?

they are mostly focused on Computer Lab context, but for us it would be more for the remote staff

UVA's remote labs

possible solutions

require students to install software locally
issue pre-imaged laptops
Centralised VMWare couldn't be customized for licenses
MS DaaS was a bad idea, failed hard

WorkSpaces

equity of consistent hardware for students
one piece of software to install the endpoint - like a more generalized citrix

Pilot group

Image based
Small, specialized set of apps included
limited group of on-site students
usage was optional, all was also available in their labs
They looked at the stats from WorkSpaces, 95% logged in
Survey said a little over half preferred the computer lab, monitor size/space was the driving issue
85% said if more applications were on it, then they would use it more
for residential students, WorkSpaces would not replace lab
but putting all the software in one place would go a long way

V2 Pilot - remote students
fuller applications
required use
for "Power" hardware bundle, break-even is 89 hours per month
at launch the went auto-stop after one hour
students averaged 33 hours per month, but some way over, like 90++ -- brings up concerns that people are just using the software for work illeglly
issues with logging in - switched the WorkSpace to "AlwaysOn" and logins smoothed out, but not 100%
THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LIMIT per account on "Compute-Power" WorkSpaces - they just had to add bundle
they turned things back over to AutoStop, but added CloudWatch Rule since it was a scheduled class to auto-launch before class starts so that login times don't lag out
Automatic reboot of desktops that got into "unhealthy" state
CLOUDWATCH HAS RULES #todo

Network tunnels were required to bring Desktops in - are they in VPC? #question
Talk to AWS early, go through exactly how you intend to use it to catch gotchas like the desktop limit
Persistent desktops are powerful
Persistent desktops per person -- how on earth do they do user management? Hmmm #question -- this is a big one: AD IS SOURCE OF TRUTH
obeys GPO etc once on domain
Working toward pooled model instead of 1-to-1

http://at.virginia.edu/workspaces-educause

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