In this feature spotlight we will discuss the enhancements to the USB virtualization capabilities of vWorkspace that were introduced in Quest vWorkspace 7.0. USB virtualization was first introduced in vWorkspace 6.0 and allows for the redirection of local USB devices into virtual desktops. This allows customers to, for example, use USB headsets or cameras in their virtual desktop sessions. The enhancements that we made to the USB virtualization in Quest vWorkspace 7.0 allow more control for customers over the virtualized USB devices.

Specifically, it allows customers to:

• Control the amount of bandwidth that the USB devices are permitted to use
• Compress the USB traffic before it goes over the wire.

From the new tab in the USB virtualization configuration page, this is what it looks like:

A typical use case for this advanced management of USB virtualization in vWorkspace 7.0 is PoS (Point of Sale) environments. One common characteristic of these environments is that they typically have a very specific USB device that is used in every single PoS location, like a USB barcode scanner for example. Another characteristic is that they also typically have (very) limited bandwidth to connect back to the data center (where the virtual desktop is located). The new options in USB virtualization management options in vWorkspace 7.0 allow customers like the aforementioned, to manage the USB devices in such a way that less bandwidth is used by the USB devices, both by the new bandwidth control and the new compression options.  This allows them to effectively use their USB devices within their virtual desktops, even when their locations have limited bandwidth. This critical for these kinds of customers because without the unique USB virtualization management options in vWorkspace 7.0 the USB devices would suck up all the network bandwidth with all kinds of problems as a consequence.

Of course this is just an example of a usage scenario for the advanced USB virtualization options in Quest vWorkspace 7.0 but many more examples exist ranging from Webcams to VOIP devices.

Happy USBing ! (no search engine fun intended).

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