Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include a client virtual machine processing a system call for a device driver to instruct a physical device to perform a function and transmitting the system call to an appliance virtual machine to execute the system call. The client virtual machine determines, in response to the system call, that an established connection with the appliance virtual machine has switched from a first protocol to a second protocol, the first and second protocols including a high-performance transmission protocol and Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The client virtual machine transmits the system call to the appliance virtual machine according to the second protocol. For example, the established connection may switch to the second protocol in response to the client virtual machine migrating to the first host device from a second host device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for measuring quality of multimedia delivery to a client are presented. A method includes operations for embedding video markers in a video stream of a multimedia stream, and embedding audio markers in an audio stream of the multimedia stream. The video stream and the audio stream are then transmitted separately to the client. Further, video markers received at the client are extracted from the transmitted video stream, and audio markers received at the client are extracted from the transmitted audio stream. A measure of the audio-video synchronization quality is obtained by determining a quantifiable time difference between the video stream and the audio stream received at the client, where the quantifiable time difference is calculated based on the extracted video markers and the extracted audio markers.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for modifying an executable file of an application and executing the application using the modified executable file. A described technique includes receiving, by a virtual machine, a request to perform an initial function of an application and an executable file for the application. The virtual machine modifies the executable file by redirecting the executable file to a custom runtime library that includes a custom function configured to initialize the application and to place the application in a paused state. A custom function call is added to the custom function in the executable file. The virtual machine initializes the application by executing the modified executable file, the executing causing the custom function to initialize the application and place the application in a paused state.

Abstract: Image data representing a desktop image for a client device that is accessing the desktop remotely is compressed according to a method that preserves image fidelity in selected non-text regions. The method, which is carried out in a remote server, includes the steps of generating image data for the remote desktop image and analyzing different regions of the remote desktop image, identifying those regions of the remote desktop image that are text regions, selecting non-text regions of the remote desktop image for lossless compression based on a spatial relationship between the non-text regions and the text regions, compressing the image data using a lossless compression protocol for a portion of the image data corresponding to the selected non-text regions, and transmitting the compressed image data to the client device.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include a client virtual machine processing a system call for a device driver to instruct a physical device to perform a function and transmitting the system call to an appliance virtual machine to execute the system call. The client virtual machine determines, in response to the system call, that an established connection with the appliance virtual machine has switched from a first protocol to a second protocol, the first and second protocols including a high-performance transmission protocol and Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The client virtual machine transmits the system call to the appliance virtual machine according to the second protocol. For example, the established connection may switch to the second protocol in response to the client virtual machine migrating to the first host device from a second host device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for improving the measurement of visual perception of graphical user interface (GUI) information remoted to client devices in virtual desktop environments, such as VDI and DAAS. An objective image quality measurement of remoted virtual desktop interfaces is computed, that is more accurate and more closely aligned with subjective user perception. The visual quality metric is computed using a linear fusion model that combines a peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) score of the distorted image, a structural similarity (SSIM) score of the distorted image and a feature similarity (FSIM) score of the distorted image. Prior to using the model to compute the quantitative visual perception metric, the linear fusion model is trained by using a benchmark test database of reference images (e.g., virtual desktop interface images), distorted versions of those images and subjective human visual perception quality ratings associated with each distorted version.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include a client virtual machine processing a system call for a device driver to instruct a physical device to perform a function and transmitting the system call to an appliance virtual machine to execute the system call. The client virtual machine determines, in response to the system call, that an established connection with the appliance virtual machine has switched from a first protocol to a second protocol, the first and second protocols including a high-performance transmission protocol and Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The client virtual machine transmits the system call to the appliance virtual machine according to the second protocol. For example, the established connection may switch to the second protocol in response to the client virtual machine migrating to the first host device from a second host device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a supplemental message display method and system are described. Supplemental messages to be displayed on the client display of a network client are defined and comprise content that is separate from content generated by any application currently executed on the network client. A virtual desktop view is served from a server computer to the network client. The virtualization layer defines a screen region on the virtual desktop view of the client display device through for the display of one or more of the supplemental messages. The virtualization layer controls the size, location, color, and transparency level of the defined screen region. The defined screen region is made persistent to ensure the continual display of the supplemental message. The supplemental message content is provided to the network client and interactive user input is received through the displayed message.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a first instruction set from a first virtual machine (VM), the first instruction set including a request to perform an operation on an input. A first identifier is generated based upon the operation and the input. The first identifier is mapped to a stored copy of the input, the operation, and an output resulting from a processor performing the operation. In response to receiving a second instruction set from a second VM, a second identifier is generated based upon the input and operation received within the second instruction set. In response to determining that the second identifier matches the stored first identifier, it is further determined that the input and operation of the first instruction set matches the input and operation of the second instruction set. A copy of the stored output is returned to the second VM.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a client-side system that enhances user experience on a remoting client without consuming additional network bandwidth. During operation, the system receives a sequence of frame updates for a display screen, and determines a sequence of frames corresponding to the frame updates. The system further adaptively applies one or more image enhancing techniques to the sequence of frames based on available network bandwidth, frame refresh rate, or image quality. The image enhancement techniques include predicting a frame based on previously received frames, interpolating a frame based on at least two buffered frames, and reducing appearance of artifacts in a received frame, thereby reducing visual artifacts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client device configured to remotely access a desktop hosted by a server system determines an event related to a user input for a desktop operation directed to the desktop. The client device receives a plurality of updates to a desktop graphical user interface (GUI) from the desktop hosted by the server system. Then, the client device correlates the event to an update in the plurality of updates to the desktop GUI based on a rule in a set of rules correlating events to updates. A metric is monitored for the update and information measured for the metric is stored.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein facilitate determining desktop readiness using interactive measures. A host is in communication with a server and the host includes a virtual desktop and a virtual desktop agent. The virtual desktop agent is configured to perform one or more injecting events via one or more monitoring agents, wherein each of the injecting events is a simulated input device event. The desktop agent is further configured to receive, via a display module, a response to the injecting event(s), wherein the response is a display update causing pixel color values for the display module to alter. The desktop agent is also configured to identify, via the monitoring agent(s), whether the response to the injecting event(s) is an expected response. The desktop agent is also configured to determine, via the monitoring agent(s), a readiness of the virtual desktop based on the expected response.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for user experiencing monitoring for application remoting. One of the methods includes receiving a request to provide an application to a remote client. The application is executed to generate one or more application windows. A watermark window that includes a watermark is generated. Display data for the application is, generated, including the watermark window and the one or more application windows. The display data for the application is provided to the remote client for presentation on the remote client. Data identifying an operation to be performed by the application is obtained. The watermark is updated to encode information identifying the operation and information identifying an initialization of the operation by the application. Data identifying a completion of the operation is received by the application. The watermark is updated to encode information identifying the completion of the operation.

Abstract: Techniques are described for improving the measurement of visual perception of graphical user interface (GUI) information remoted to client devices in virtual desktop environments, such as VDI and DAAS. An objective image quality measurement of remoted virtual desktop interfaces is computed, that is more accurate and more closely aligned with subjective user perception. The visual quality metric is computed using a linear fusion model that combines a peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) score of the distorted image, a structural similarity (SSIM) score of the distorted image and a feature similarity (FSIM) score of the distorted image. Prior to using the model to compute the quantitative visual perception metric, the linear fusion model is trained by using a benchmark test database of reference images (e.g., virtual desktop interface images), distorted versions of those images and subjective human visual perception quality ratings associated with each distorted version.

Abstract: Image data representing a desktop image for a client device that is accessing the desktop remotely is compressed according to a method that preserves image fidelity in selected non-text regions. The method, which is carried out in a remote server, includes the steps of generating image data for the remote desktop image and analyzing different regions of the remote desktop image, identifying those regions of the remote desktop image that are text regions, selecting non-text regions of the remote desktop image for lossless compression based on a spatial relationship between the non-text regions and the text regions, compressing the image data using a lossless compression protocol for a portion of the image data corresponding to the selected non-text regions, and transmitting the compressed image data to the client device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for managing remote display performance. One method includes an operation for determining pixel data for a group of macroblocks, each macroblock having a group of pixels. The macroblocks are for embedding in respective video frames of a video stream. The pixel data for each pixel in each macroblock is calculated with a formula based on the frame number of the respective video frame and on the location of the pixel within the macroblock. Farther, the method includes operations for embedding the macroblocks in the respective video frames, and for transmitting the video frames with the embedded macroblocks to a remote client. A performance metric for the transmitted video stream is calculated based on the macroblocks received at the remote client by comparing the received macroblocks to the expected macroblocks based on the formula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for managing remote display performance. One method includes operations for receiving notifications of events identified by an operating system, and for receiving notifications of display updates destined to a remote display coupled to a remote client. The method includes an operation for correlating events and display updates to determine the transmittal priority for the updates, where the priority is associated with a criticality for presenting the display updates on the remote display. Further, a subset of the display updates are identified as unnecessary for transmission to the remote client based, at least in part, on the priority of the display updates. Additionally, the method includes an operation for performing at least one of: discarding the subset; consolidating the subset into a single display update for transmittal to the remote client; or limiting the frequency of transmission of the subset to the remote client.

Abstract: One method for managing remote display performance includes operations for embedding pixel data in a file of an application executing on a server, and detecting an open window of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the application. The pixel data is used to create a pixel strip in the window, while the GUI is being displayed on a remote display of a remote client. Update information for the GUI being displayed on the remote display is transmitted from the server to the remote client, the update information corresponding to the change in the presentation of the open window on the server. Further, a change in a presentation of the open window is detected, and a pixel strip received at the remote display is identified. A performance metric for the remote display is calculated based on the received pixel strip when compared to the expected values for the pixel strip.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for measuring quality of multimedia delivery to a client are presented. A method includes operations for embedding video markers in a video stream of a multimedia stream, and embedding audio markers in an audio stream of the multimedia stream. The video stream and the audio stream are then transmitted separately to the client. Further, video markers received at the client are extracted from the transmitted video stream, and audio markers received at the client are extracted from the transmitted audio stream. A measure of the audio-video synchronization quality is obtained by determining a quantifiable time difference between the video stream and the audio stream received at the client, where the quantifiable time difference is calculated based on the extracted video markers and the extracted audio markers.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for modifying an executable file of an application and executing the application using the modified executable file. A described technique includes receiving, by a virtual machine, a request to perform an initial function of an application and an executable file for the application. The virtual machine modifies the executable file by redirecting the executable file to a custom runtime library that includes a custom function configured to initialize the application and to place the application in a paused state. A custom function call is added to the custom function in the executable file. The virtual machine initializes the application by executing the modified executable file, the executing causing the custom function to initialize the application and place the application in a paused state.