itopia CAS continually adds support for additional tools and technologies which enhance the user experience while reducing support requirements. The integration of Profiles Containers, a component of Microsoft’s FSLogix technology suite means itopia CAS can offer an even better user experience.
Improved User Experience
FSLogix Profile Container technology is an evolution of the previous User Profile Disk (UPD) model offered by Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. As the name implies, Profile Containers "containerize" a user's profile into a single file (VHD virtual disk), which can then be mounted on any host computer that a user logs on to. The technology behind Profiles Containers is faster, more reliable, and works outside of Remote Desktop Services, eliminating some of the restrictions imposed by UPD.
Profile Container Integration
When enabled, FSLogix Profile Containers create a new container for each user the first time they log in. This container stores their local settings such as Start Menu shortcuts, bookmarks, and Microsoft Outlook account, as well as files saved to their Documents or Desktop folder. When the user logs off, the profile is saved to a file share (in itopia CAS, either a Windows File Server or a NetApp Cloud Volume). The next time a user logs in, the same profile is attached to their session, regardless of what server they log into.
Enable Profile Containers
In CAS deployments created after August 2020, FSLogix Profile Containers can be configured at the Collection Pool level. When you create a new Collection Pool, CAS will present you with options for user profile persistence. Learn more in the article Configuring Collection Pools.
NOTE: Prior to August 2020, CAS deployments could only be configured with FSLogix Profile Containers when they were initially created using the CAS Deployment Wizard, and profile configuration applied to all Collection Pools.
Additional Configuration Options
When using Profile Containers, customers can configure several advanced settings for each Collection Pool.
Maximum size of Profile per user: The size, in megabytes, that the Profile Container should be. The Profile Container holds not only user documents, but also temporary files and other profile-level data that may be configured by applications.
Enable Cloud Cache (multi-region deployments only): If enabled, FSLogix will be configured in Cloud Cache mode, which will store copies of user profiles in each region and will automatically synchronize changes between the copies. If disabled, FSLogix will only store profiles in the primary region. NOTE: For environments where users regularly sign in to different regions (such as traveling agents in different offices), Cloud Cache may provide faster logons and file open/save; however, replicating profile data across regions may result in significant data egress costs
These options are not exposed in the CAS Admin Portal. For more information, contact itopia Support.
Optimal User Experience: FSLogix Profile Containers + NetApp Cloud Volumes
When an itopia CAS deployment is provisioned with both a FSLogix Profile Container and NetApp Cloud Volumes Service (CVS), customers are able to store both (i) data and (ii) Profile Containers (VHDX files). This combination optimizes the end-user experience because they'll see their files and folders on a consistent, personalized Cloud Desktop no matter which GCP Region they're connecting into for their Deployment. For more information on NetApp CVS features, implementation and pricing, see here.
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