Workload Characterization and Network Planning¶

Prior to production deployment, remote desktop workloads should be assessed in terms of user experience expectations, network bandwidth demands, and performance considerations related to both the host platform (i.e. physical or virtualized desktop) and the PCoIP client endpoint. The following section provides a simple classification of user roles and typical workloads which may be used as a guideline on user expectations and assist with bandwidth consumption estimates.

Use Case Classification¶

PCoIP technology provides a range of capabilities suitable for a variety of user roles, including:

• Task Workers: Task workers typically use applications involving simple screen data and text entry, such as call centers or companies that deliver online certification tests.
• Knowledge Workers:  Knowledge workers use enterprise-level productivity suites, interactive CD quality audio communication tools, consume occasional HD video and may have some lightweight 3D applications.
• CAD or Creative: Designers and artists including architects, drafters, video editors, game developers and animators perform tasks involving high-quality, graphic-intensive content. Similarly, Scientists and Engineers use compute farms and High Performance Computing (HPC) platforms to extract high resolution visual information from complex data sets.
• Review: Broadcast video Quality Control (QC) and post-production finishing teams perform review tasks on color-accurate production grade content with extremely low tolerance for video defects such as stutter or image artifacts. Similarly, Financial Traders, Analysts and some Healthcare Professionals rely on highly responsive systems that free of visible image artifacts.

Bandwidth Consumption Estimates¶

The following table provides network bandwidth approximations for different user roles based on a 1920 x 1080 display topology.

Bandwidth Consumption by User Role

NOTES

• Bandwidth values provided are broad approximations only. PCoIP bandwidth depends on protocol configuration, user role, workflow and content characteristics. Higher display resolutions will increase bandwidth requirements for video or graphics content as illustrated in the PCoIP Ultra Benchmark Examples.
• We recommend that you establish a proof-of-concept (PoC) to characterize your anticipated bandwidth needs before proceeding with a production deployment.

Peak Estimates for Graphic Intensive Workloads¶

For graphic-intensive workloads, network administrators should consider both average network consumption and the peak bandwidth to sustain high image quality during high frame rate activities such as video playback. PCoIP automatically adjusts image quality and frame rate if insufficient network bandwidth is available.

Peak Bandwidth Determination¶

Peak bandwidth demand can typically be estimated at 0.5 - 2.0 bits-per-pixel (bpp) compression ratio when using PCoIP default or PCoIP Ultra CPU Offload modes. When using PCoIP GPU Offload or Auto-Offload with 4:2:0 chroma sub-sampling, peak bandwidth can be between 0.1 – 1.0 bpp, dependent on configured image quality and content complexity. In Creative Review cases where high image quality settings (e.g., Q90) are used to preserve detailed screen content such as fine lines and textural detail, a peak bandwidth allocation supporting a compression ratio of 3 - 4 bpp may be needed.

Average Bandwidth Determination¶

While use case dependent, the average bandwidth is typically less than 10% of the peak demand, considering that PCoIP consumes minimal bandwidth during periods of display inactivity. Bandwidth provisioning of a shared network should be based on a sum of averages, plus an empirical peak allocation, rather than a strict sum of peak values associated with individual connections.

Image Quality Considerations¶

Peak and average bandwidth consumption can be forcibly constrained by using a session bandwidth limit or non-default quality settings as discussed in the PCoIP Session Variable section. For example, by adjusting the Maximum Initial Image Quality from Q80 to Q70 when using PCoIP Ultra Auto-Offload, bandwidth savings of approx. 50% may be achieved during video playback.

Capacity Planning Tips¶

The following section outlines important bandwidth requirements to consider when you are negotiating network capacity.

• Ensure sufficient bandwidth is allocated to PCoIP traffic by determining appropriate User Experience Profiles for your user roles, and setting PCoIP Session Parameters accordingly. For Knowledge Workers using Windows applications, plan for an average of 150–250 kbps for standard office applications.

• Consider any additional bandwidth required for audio input/output and USB traffic. Configure the PCoIP Zero Client bandwidth limit parameter to limit USB traffic. Configure a PCoIP Session Audio Bandwidth Limit if needed.

• Plan for 1-2 Mbps per simultaneous user watching a 480p window or 10-13 Mbps for a 1080p video window at default image quality settings. Refer to PCoIP Ultra benchmarks for additional estimates based on protocol modes and quality settings.

• Ensure that network bandwidth analysis includes observing total network capacity guidelines (for example, peak bandwidth should be less than 80% of theoretical link capacity.)

• Ensure that there is sufficient bandwidth headroom for bursts of PCoIP protocol traffic.

• Plan for a minimum bandwidth headroom of 500 kbps to 1 Mbps. The actual peak bandwidth required will depend on the user and applications (for example, the number of pixels changing, the level and complexity of compression, and the display frame rate).

• Plan for adequate peak capacity for Remote Workstation Card users. Many workstation applications require a higher peak bandwidth that varies per user and imaging workload. It also depends on how many users are sharing the link.

• Over-subscription analysis (optional) can enable efficient link sizing while maintaining a reasonable expectation that peak bandwidth is available per session.

• Consider configuring a Maximum PCoIP Session Bandwidth Limit when operating in a known constrained network environment. Additional bandwidth savings can be achieved by optimizing Windows desktop experience settings, reducing the display resolution or limiting the number of connected displays.

• PCoIP Ultra in GPU Offload mode configured for 4:2:0 chroma sub-sampling offers additional bandwidth savings for deployments offering hardware video encoder support (e.g. NVIDIA NVENC or macOS hardware). For more information, see PCoIP Ultra Session Planning.