As I promised in my blog post about SmartRendering (a key aspect of HDX Adaptive Orchestration), here's a video that demonstrates a new Citrix technology for leveraging the graphics processor on the user's PC or deskop appliance to locally render DirectX graphics. HDX Adaptive Orchestration queries the graphics capabilities of the endpoint device and intelligently determines how to combine client-side and server-side rendering. Furthermore, rendering decisions can be made based on available network bandwidth or application characteristics. The result is a high definition user experience, increased server scalability and optimal use of network bandwidth. This video shows how the Windows Aero desktop and WPF-based data visualization applications can be delivered using DirectX command remoting while an OpenGL-based GIS application is delivered using accelerated bitmap remoting.

Derek Thorslund
Product Strategist, Multimedia Virtualization

Can you run Direct3D apps on XenApp? What about WPF apps?

Direct3D, part of Microsoft's DirectX API, is used to render 3D graphics in applications where high performance is required. Direct3D apps are not generally supported on XenApp because they require hardware acceleration. That's what kicked off the 3D acceleration technology being developed by Citrix under project Apollo. However, some Direct3D apps will fall back to software rendering, so they can be hosted on XenApp. It depends on whether the software developer has enabled fallback to the software rasterizer. Be aware that Direct3D apps may consume a lot of CPU to do the graphics rendering, especially if they make use of a lot of fancy effects. You'll probably want a multi-core server with lots of memory to deliver these apps.

WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation, the graphical subsystem of .NET Framework 3.0 and above), although Direct3D based, automatically falls back to software rendering when no GPU is available. WPF apps have been supported on XenApp as of PS 4.5 FP1 which was released in September 2007. They will run on XenApp for Windows Server 2003 when 16-bit or "5-6-5" color (also called "High color") is configured. With Windows Server 2008, 24-bit or "8-8-8" color ("True color") is also supported.

Depending on the WPF functionality that is leveraged by the application, performance and scalability on XenApp will vary. SpeedScreen Progressive Display optimizes the delivery of rendered graphics to the client device via compression and auto-sharpening. However, WPF applications using intensive 3D graphics or fading effects will consume more CPU and memory than typical GDI applications, so you can expect server scalability to be lower. Another challenge for project Apollo . . .

Derek Thorslund
Product Strategist, Multimedia Virtualization

Scott Guthrie, a VP at Microsoft, recently blogged about a new release of Silverlight that will soon be ready for beta trial. Silverlight 1 introduced a new browser-based video player supporting a JavaScript/AJAX programming model. Silverlight 2 focuses on enabling the development of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). An important point about RIAs is that they aren't just for the Internet. Silverlight 2 will enable "rich desktop Windows applications" for the enterprise, so it is of great interest to all of us involved with the Citrix Multimedia Virtualization Initiative. Although not offering the full 3D graphics capabilities of WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), Silverlight is a strong subset of WPF that supports "2.5D" graphics effects including transparency. The UI framework provides support for animation, layout management, controls, data binding, and more.

Visual Studio 2008 will support Silverlight 2, as it does WPF, making it very easy for ISVs and other application developers -- even non-professionals -- to create rich client applications in their choice of programming language (C#, Visual Basic, JavaScript, etc.).

The beta release is just 4.3MB and installs in less than 10 seconds. Unlike WPF, Silverlight 2 does not require the .NET framework to be installed on the client. Silverlight applications run within a browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari) but can be migrated to standalone desktop applications using WPF and the .NET framework.

No doubt Silverlight 2 will be a big topic at Microsoft's upcoming sold-out MIX08 conference in Las Vegas!

Derek Thorslund
Product Strategist, Multimedia Virtualization

Our project Apollo technology for remoting Vista Aero and any multimedia application that can run on Vista just keeps getting better. This video gives you a sneak peek at the latest version of Apollo, demonstrated by Juan Rivera (Citrix Development Manager) in the Tech Lab at Citrix Summit 2008 in Orlando.

The Tech Lab is always one of the highlights of iForum. It provides a tremendous opportunity for customers, partners and industry analysts to speak directly with Citrix engineers who know the ins and outs of our technologies. This year, in support of the Citrix Multimedia Virtualization Initiative, we are planning to showcase a wide range of multimedia virtualization technologies, many of which are still baking in our R&D ovens. This blog post provides a sneak peek at what you'll be able to see (and hear) if you're attending the iForum 07 App Delivery Expo in Las Vegas, October 22-25, 2007. There may be last-minute adjustments so I won't make any guarantees but here's a brief preview that I'm sure will whet your appetite if you're interested in the delivery of multimedia applications and desktops.

SpeedScreen Progressive Display
The latest in a series of half a dozen SpeedScreen technologies, SpeedScreen Progressive Display optimizes the user experience for graphics-intensive applications like PACS and GIS. When the user scrolls an application window or moves a graphical object, SpeedScreen Progressive Display first sends lower resolution images. Then it sends the full resolution image once the motion stops. The result is a very responsive user experience, even over a WAN connection. As a side benefit, this approach also reduces network bandwidth consumption by up to 93%.

SpeedScreen Multimedia Acceleration on Windows Server 2008
The upcoming release of Windows Server 2008 introduces Media Foundation -- Microsoft's next generation multimedia platform -- to Windows Server. SpeedScreen Multimedia Acceleration, which provides high quality synchronized audio-video delivery by leveraging client-side resources, will be ready for this technology evolution.

OpenGL acceleration
Project Pictor is tackling the challenge of delivering high-end CAD applications built on the OpenGL 3D graphics API by leveraging server-side graphics processing hardware.

Vista Aero theme support
Running Vista Aero on your PC? This new technology will ensure that applications delivered by Presentation Server blend seamlessly onto your Aero desktop.

Vista Aero desktop remoting
This could be one of the most attention-grabbing demos in this year's Tech Lab. Even if your organization's move to Vista is still a ways off, you'll be impressed that Citrix engineers are developing technologies to deliver virtual Vista desktops that include the full Aero experience ('glass' effects, Windows Flip 3D animations, etc.). Even more exciting is the ability to deliver Vista Aero to end points that are not Vista Premium Ready, including thin clients and PCs running Windows XP.

WPF and DirectX application remoting
Not just your typical business applications . . . You'll be surprised at what our engineers can remote with this new technology, still under development.

"Ulysses" audio codec
You'll want to put on the headphones so you can hear this one. The new "Ulysses" codec delivers excellent sound quality at a fraction of the bandwidth of the current ICA audio codec. More on this in my next blog post.

Cisco VoIP softphone on Presentation Server
Cisco and Citrix have been working together to achieve compatibility of the Cisco voice-over-IP softphone, IP Communicator, with Presentation Server. This demo will show you how it works. If you're interested in the virtualization of softphones, you'll also want to visit HP's booth to check out streaming of the Cisco softphone to an HP thin client.

So give yourself plenty of time . . . There's a lot to see at this year's iForum Tech Lab!

Derek Thorslund
Product Strategist, Multimedia Virtualization

The Citrix Multimedia Virtualization Initiative is an ongoing cross-product R&D effort focused on multimedia desktop and application delivery. Watch my video blog for a 6-minute introduction to the Multimedia Virtualization Initiative and learn how Citrix is continuing to enhance the ICA protocol to provide the best end-user experience as graphics and rich media technologies evolve.

My video blog references Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) technology and a fast-paced video that will give you a great appreciation for what WPF applications are all about. You can find Microsoft's WPF video at http://wpf.netfx3.com/blogs/news_and_announcements/archive/2007/05/10/wpf-momentum-video.aspx.

Derek Thorslund
Product Strategist, Multimedia Virtualization

I got questions about citrix support for WPF recently. After asking around, I got the following informaiton.

In short current versions of presentation servers don support WPF based applicaions yet. We are working on adding such support soon. Stay tuned for more official announcements.

Presentation Foundation (WPF), formerly code named Avalon, is the graphical subsystem of .NET Framework 3.0. WPF unifies numerous application services: user interface, 2D and 3D drawing, fixed and adaptive documents, advanced typography, vector graphics, raster graphics, animation, data binding, audio, and video. Depending on the WPF functionality that is leveraged by the application, performance and scalability on Presentation Server will vary. SpeedScreen Progressive Display optimizes the delivery of rendered graphics to the client device via compression and auto-sharpening. However, WPF applications using intensive graphics capabilities will consume more CPU and memory than basic WPF applications due to the overhead of graphics rendering.