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Home > News From Kinetics > Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and 2008 R2

Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and 2008 R2

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Service Pack One for Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 7 was released a couple of weeks ago.    Kinetics has been running it on production servers and PCs since its release. 

Some of the notable changes introduced are:

Hyper-V

On Hyper-V, SP1 introduces "Dynamic Memory".   After installing Hyper-V on the host, you do need to update the Hyper-V software in the guests.   Guests also need to be fully patched.  You can then set minimum and maximum memory limits for individual guests.  The guests take memory when needed and return it to the pool when released.   This automatic balancing of memory needs across guests has allowed Kinetics to operate a much more efficient Virtual Cloud without having to purchase more RAM.   (Dynamic Memory does not work with Linux Guests or Exchange and SQL.)

Dynamic Memory does not give you more memory.  But it does make significantly better use of the memory you have.  Kinetics' Experience with Dynamic Memory is very positive.

Remote Desktops

Another big change is RemoteFX.  This technology takes the remote computing experience to the next level.  It introduces multiple monitors and high screen resolution/advanced graphics to RDS.  RDS is the collection of technology which includes Terminal Servers and Virtual Computers.  RemoteFX is a big subject so here I’m just including some useful links:

 http://blogs.technet.com/b/virtualization/archive/2010/03/17/explaining-microsoft-remotefx.aspx

 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-remotefx.aspx

 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff817578(WS.10).aspx

 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff817602(WS.10).aspx

You will be interested in RemoteFX if you have applications which you need to run remotely/centrally, but which current remote graphics do not support.  CAD is the most obvious example of this.  Key things to be aware off when looking into RemoteFX are:

  • For Virtual Desktops (VDI) the Host Server requires a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and in some cases more than one.  These can be purchased as add-on cards, if using more than one they must all be the same type.
  • Terminal Servers (now called RD Servers) need to support a specific chipset instruction (called SLAT).
  • Clients need to run the latest version of the RDP client, so older 'Thin Clients' will not work.  New devices are already appearing which include a special decoding chip to speed up the process.
  • The improved graphics also means higher throughput.  So this means your WAN needs to be faster to keep up.

High Latency Network Support

What this really means is that 2008 R2 and Windows 7 will perform better over the internet and internet-based WANs.   This is about improving access when resources are spread between in-house and hosted servers.  A very important improvement as we move into the cloud based world.

Direct Access Improvements

This change is being announced as an enhancement.  What has really happened is that it an issue between Windows 2008/Windows 7 Direct Access and another Microsoft technology NLB (Network Load Balancing) has been resolved.

Windows 7 Enhancements

Most of the changes are related to security.  Windows & will now support more types of “Proof of Identity” and has wider support for federating (shared security information) with non Microsoft systems.  There has also been a change to some underlying printing and audio systems.  A new instruction set has been added (AVX) which improves speed in floating point calculations.

Summary

With SP1 for 2008 R2 you get real improvements in a number of areas.  Kinetics has enjoyed major gains in memory usage on its 2008 R2 Hyper-V Server.  This Service Pack also lays down some major foundations for improved Cloud access, and that’s something most people will be using within the next couple of years.  RemoteFX will change the way some business use Remote Desktop technologies and will offer options for productivity gains, even when intensive graphics are not a requirement. 

This service pack is large and does take a while to install.  Your Kinetics Account Manager or Engineer can arrange its installation for you.  Kinetics Kare customers will receive these benefits as part of the normal Kare update process.