5.2

For information about the controls introduced with View 5 that you can use to adjust the way PCoIP consumes
bandwidth, see “Optimization Controls Available with PCoIP,” on page 53.
Bandwidth Requirements for Various Types of Users
When determining minimum bandwidth requirements for PCoIP, plan with the following estimates:
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100 to 150Kbps average bandwidth for a basic office productivity desktop: typical office applications with
no video, no 3D graphics, and the default Windows and Horizon View settings.
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50 to 100Kbps average bandwidth for an optimized office productivity desktop: typical office applications
with no video, no 3D graphics, with Windows desktop settings optimized and Horizon View optimized.
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400 to 600Kbps average bandwidth for virtual desktops utilizing multiple monitors, 3D, Aero, and Office
2010.
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500Kbps to 1Mbps minimum peak bandwidth to provide headroom for bursts of display changes. In
general, size your network using the average bandwidth, but consider peak bandwidth to accommodate
bursts of imaging traffic associated with large screen changes.
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2Mbps per simultaneous user running 480p video, depending upon the configured frame rate limit and
the video type.
NOTE The estimate of 50 to 150Kbps per typical user is based on the assumption that all users are operating
continuously and performing similar tasks over an 8- to 10- hour day. The 50Kbps bandwidth usage figure is
from View Planner testing on a LAN with the Build-to-Lossless feature disabled. Situations may vary in that
some users may be fairly inactive and consume almost no bandwidth, allowing more users per link. Therefore,
these guidelines are intended to provide a starting point for more detailed bandwidth planning and testing.
The following example shows how to calculate the number of concurrent users at a branch or remote office
that has a 1.5Mbps T1 line.
Branch or Remote Office Scenario
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Users have basic Microsoft Office productivity applications, no video, no 3D graphics, and USB keyboards
and mouse devices.
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The bandwidth required per typical office user on Horizon View is from 50-150Kbps.
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The T1 network capacity is 1.5Mbps.
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Bandwidth utilization is 80 percent (.8 utilization factor).
Formula for Determining the Number of Users Supported
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In the worst case, users require 150Kbps: (1.5Mbps*.8)/150Kbps = (1500*.8)/150 = 8 users
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In the best case, users require 50Kbps: (1.5Mbps*.8)/50Kbps = (1500*.8)/50 = 24 users
Result
This remote office can support between 8 and 24 concurrent users per T1 line with 1.5Mbps capacity.
IMPORTANT You might require optimization of both Horizon View and Windows desktop settings to achieve
this user density.
This information was excerpted from the information guide called VMware View 5 with PCoIP: Network
Optimization Guide.
VMware Horizon View Architecture Planning
56 VMware, Inc.