Can Windows devices, Mac devices, Linux devices, etc. be used together as clients?
Yes. A separate disk image needs to be prepared for each type of client device.
However, the vThrii disk image distribution server can be shared between all client devices.
What factors will affect OS startup time on client devices?
When devices are started with only the vThrii-P client installed, the remaining components necessary for startup are acquired on demand from the disk image distribution server. As a result, startup time is greatly affected by the bandwidth of the network between the client device and the disk image distribution server, along with the disk performance of the disk image distribution server.
Once a disk image is acquired from the disk image distribution server, it is cached on the client device. Future startups will therefore proceed as quickly as startups via the local disk unless the disk image is updated.
Is diskless operation of client devices possible? If so, what would this require?
In addition to the standard disk image distribution server, this process requires 9P file servers to store disk images in place of the local disk on each client device. The number of 9P file servers required depends on the number of diskless client devices that will be in use at the same time.
Operating environment of server
Can the disk image distribution server be operated in virtual environments such as Xen?
Yes. There needs to be sufficient space for the distributed images and sufficient network bandwidth for distribution.
Operating environment of clients
When choosing client devices for operating vThrii-P, are there any particular manufacturers or models that are known to operate well with the Light version or Pro version?
Below are some models that are known to operate well with vThrii-P.
[vThrii-P Pro] Apple: iMac Mid2011 / Late 2013 / Mid 2014（excluding Fusion Drive model）, Mac Mini Late 2012 Dell: OptiPlex 7010, OptiPlex 7040, etc. HP: EliteBook 820 G3, etc.
[vThrii-P Light] Dell: OptiPlex 7010, OptiPlex 7040, etc. Fujitsu: ESPRIMO Q556/M,ESPRIMO D586/M, etc. HP: 600G2PD SFF, etc.
Are input devices such as multifunctional devices and touchpads supported?
The Light version does not support keyboards or mice connected via PS/2. Care needs to be taken when using computers such as laptops, as their internal keyboards and mice (trackpads) are sometimes connected via PS/2.
Is it possible to prepare multiple disk images for macOS, Windows, etc. on the disk image distribution server and start different OS depending on the situation?
Yes.
Which OS can be used on vThrii-P clients?
Windows 10, macOS and Linux 3.x and later are known to work with the Pro version. Windows 10 and Linux 3.x and later will work with the Light version.
Is Fusion Drive supported?
No.
Functions
Can disk images be distributed to client devices before beginning operation of vThrii-P?
Yes. The foreground installation function can be used to download disk images from the disk image distribution server and save them to the local disk before beginning operation of vThrii-P.
Can disk images be distributed via Wi-Fi?
No, this is not possible.
Can one network interface be shared between vThrii and a guest OS?
Yes. However, separate IP addresses need to be assigned to the OS and vThrii-P when sharing a network interface.
What is the difference between the Pro version and the Light version?
The amount of memory used by clients differs depending on whether Pro or Light is used, as does the performance of some devices shared by vThrii-P and the OS. Additionally, only the Pro version supports Mac devices.
Do different disk images need to be created for the Pro and Light versions?
No. The same disk image can be used.
Sale and licenses
I am considering using Windows as the OS. Can the Preinstallation Environment license be used as it is?
As we understand it, the Preinstallation Environment license cannot be used due to the terms of the license. VConsider installing a license such as the volume license. Check the Microsoft Windows licenses for more details.
What is the license format, and how much does it cost?
An annual subscription model is used for the license. Please contact a distributor for detailed pricing information.
