5 tips to optimize CAD application performance for VDI

VDI has allowed many users to maintain productivity while working remotely, but one category of users requires special attention from an administrative perspective to ensure they can work from home: users that work with computer-aided design software.

CAD software that runs on VDI could include AutoCAD, Civil 3D, HiCAD and MicroStation, and these applications require a specialized VDI setup.

This video will explain how organizations can ensure remote users have a great VDI experience on CAD applications while working from home.

One common misconception about CAD applications on VDI is that it only requires a normal virtualization server and a graphics card with support for virtual GPU. This is not the case. An optimal VDI setup for CAD needs the right CPU, storage and network performance.

On top of that, administrators need to make sure the virtual desktop OS is correctly optimized. Profile management is important as well, and so is selecting the right graphics policies for the protocol.

The tips in this video apply to CAD applications on VDI deployments for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, VMware Horizon and Windows Virtual Desktop:

1. CPU performance is key

Graphical workloads are unique because they function best when there is better single thread performance rather than having more cores. The speed at which the CPUs are running should be administrators' top priority.

2. Select the right graphics profile

IT administrators should find a tool that allows them to determine the proper graphics profile. This will differ from organization to organization.

3. Optimize the OS and profile management

Out of the box, Windows 10 is not optimized for VDI deployments. IT pros should choose an optimization tool from their VDI vendor to strip away any unnecessary features and functions of the OS. Additionally, CAD applications have very large profiles, so administrators should be prepared to manage the profiles as well. One option for a profile management tool is Microsoft FSLogix, which is free with most Windows 10 licenses.

4. Select the right storage and network

IT professionals should ensure they have a quality storage option for the CAD files because they are quite large. Without a fast network and access to enough storage, the users could experience latency.

5. Set the right protocol policies

There are different types of protocol policies for different VDI vendors. IT professionals should ensure they have enabled any policies that could improve UX for workers that require CAD applications. The RDAnalyzer tool allows admins to see the active policies on their VDI and how they are performing and what resources they're taking up.

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