RES Workspace Manager VDX Options Explained

When delivering RES Workspace Manager training there can be some confusion over some of the settings available when integrating it with RES Virtual Desktop Extender (VDX). The purpose of this post is to attempt to clarify what option does what!

1. This is the global option that will enable or disable the RES Workspace Manager and VDX integration, i.e. the ability to run applications as a “Workspace Extension”. Note: If this option is disabled and the RES VDX Engine is installed, there is potentially nothing from stopping this running, just you won’t get the RES WM integration, i.e. licensing etc.
2. If this option is enabled then the VDX Engine process will be started. By disabling this option you will effectively be turning on the legacy RES Subscriber/Workspace Extender functionality only.
3. If you have the VDX Engine installed, then this option will enforce the VDX settings to take preference over the RES Subscriber/Workspace Extender, e.g. options 7 – 13 and the Z-ordering improvements. Don’t disable this option if deploying RES VDX!
4. Depending on the setting chosen the following taskbar behaviour will occur:
   1. Autodetect: The behaviour as defined in the Display Settings section will be honoured, i.e. the configuration of the remote session display.
   2. Yes: The taskbar of the local session will always be hidden regardless of the remote session display configuration.
   3. No: The taskbar of the local session will never be hidden. Note: with the RES Subscriber/VDX Shell, the taskbar is hidden by default.
5. Depending on the setting chosen, the following client application pass-through behaviour will occur:
   1. Autodetect: If running client application window will be obscured by the remote session, it will automatically be displayed in the remote session.
   2. Yes: All running client applications will be automatically displayed in the remote session.
   3. No: No existing client applications/processes will be displayed in the remote session when it’s first started. Note: this does not prevent reverse seamless applications from being launched from the remote session!
6. If selected, when a user logs off a remote session, all locally running client applications will be closed (or attempted to be closed!) before the remote session is ended.
7. Enable this option if you which users to be able to access the system tray icon and enumerate the applications present in the user’s local client Start Menu.
8. Enable this option if you which users to be able to access the system tray icon and enumerate the applications present in the user’s local client Desktop.
9. Enable this option if you which users to be able to access the system tray icon and enumerate the applications present in the local client System Tray.
10. Client applications can be excluded from the VDX seamless window integration by entering the process name, i.e. pnagent.exe.
    1. Multiple processes should be separated with semicolons.
    2. Processes can still be launched, but will not be displayed in the taskbar the remote session and Z-ordering will not be implemented.
11. If you wish client applications to be unavailable via the System Tray integration, enter the process(es) here.
    1. Multiple processes should be separated with semicolons.
    2. If a client process is excluded, it will not be displayed in System Tray Start Menu or Desktop folders.
12. Allows you to override the default VDX pop-up balloon title (a).
13. Allows you to override the default VDX pop-up balloon text (b).
    1. This text is also displayed at the top of the VDX system tray Client Start Menu/Desktop window (c).

Display Settings

The following information has been taken from the RES VDX User Guide and is used when configuring the Local Client Taskbar integration in option #4 above:

VDX supports several display scenarios. Each scenario may require specific settings. For an overview of these settings, see Setting up the Behavior of the RES VDX Engine (on page 10). Some examples of supported scenarios are:

A single display

In this scenario, both the local desktop and the remote desktop are run on the same display. The remote desktop is the visible desktop, showing both remote applications and local applications. The local taskbar is obscured if the remote session is maximized. With the remote session at a smaller size, the client taskbar is shown twice, once in its original position on the client and once integrated in the remote session.

A dual display setup with the remote desktop spanning both displays

In this scenario, both the local desktop and the remote desktop span both displays. The remote desktop is the visible desktop, showing both remote applications and local applications. The local taskbar is obscured if the remote session is maximized on the first monitor or if both sessions are maximized. 

A dual display setup with the local desktop running on the primary display and the remote desktop running on the secondary display

Both taskbars are displayed. 

A dual display setup with one remote desktop running on the primary display and another remote desktop running on the secondary display

Both remote desktop taskbars are displayed. Client windows can be moved from desktop to desktop.

I hope this helps clarify things for someone! Iain