The main event of the release was the native integration of the Basis Connect data transfer protocol, developed by "Basis" to expand the capabilities of the VDI platform and simplify its deployment. In addition, version 3.3 introduced new features for working in large and geographically distributed installations, added support for software-defined networks Basis SDN when working with Basis Dynamix Enterprise, and also implemented a number of improvements in administration, security, and integration with corporate systems.
Proprietary delivery protocol
The key innovation of Basis Workplace 3.3 was the integration of Basis Connect – its own data transfer protocol between the client and the virtual desktop. At the same time, "Basis" maintains support for third-party delivery protocols, including RX and Loudplay – this is one of the advantages of the platform that is in demand among customers.
The quality and speed of data exchange directly determine the user's comfort level when working in a virtual environment: whether they can use resource-intensive applications, peripheral devices, and participate in video conferences without loss of quality. To ensure the necessary level of comfort, proprietary protocols requiring separate licenses, or open-source protocols requiring refinement and support, can be used. The presence of its own data transfer protocol as part of Basis Workplace avoids dependence on third-party solutions, simplifies platform implementation, and provides customers with more predictable operation.
Basis Connect protocol settings
The first public version of Basis Connect implements image and sound transmission, clipboard operation (text, files, folders, images), support for keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, and other peripheral devices, including USB tokens for using certificates within the virtual desktop.
Native integration with Basis SDN
The new version continues the development of the modular driver architecture, which in Basis Workplace 3.2 provided native connection to Basis Dynamix Enterprise and OpenStack. Now, the virtualization platform based on Basis Dynamix Enterprise can work in conjunction with Basis SDN – a solution responsible for network infrastructure management in the "Basis" ecosystem. This allows customers to build a fully domestic stack of virtual desktop infrastructure using "Basis" products: from server virtualization and network management to the VDI platform.
Enhanced fault tolerance for large installations
Basis Workplace 3.3 implemented the ability to install a backup backend: if the primary one fails, the system automatically switches to the backup, ensuring continuous operation. Load balancing for brokers was added through the Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) mechanism. It became possible to specify several IP addresses and ports in the directory service parameters: if one of them is unavailable, the system switches to the next one in the list, which eliminates dependence on a single domain controller.
Service and broker management
The implementation of geo-distributed VDI has also been developed. Now, each site in such a configuration has its own certificate for secure access, and site keys are generated directly in the list of sites – this simplifies the procedure for connecting them and ensures trust isolation between data centers.
An additional reliability mechanism is the ability to roll back to a previous version of the service. If unexpected problems arise after an update, the administrator can revert to a working version without complex recovery operations.
New administration tools
Basis Workplace 3.3 expanded the set of platform management and monitoring tools. New tools appeared for visualizing the current state of the system and analyzing historical data on virtual machine operation, as a result, administrators received a more complete picture of what is happening in the infrastructure. Everyday work was also accelerated – a number of operations can now be performed on several pools and virtual machines simultaneously, and some infrastructure management tasks have been moved to the control panel.
Additionally, auditing capabilities have been expanded: reports for any period can now be generated for key user and administrator workflows.
List of SSO providers
Version 3.3 expanded the list of supported directory services and authentication providers, and added tools for integration with the corporate information security perimeter. As a result, connection management convenience increased, and administrator and user access control improved.
"When creating Basis Connect, we focused on customer requests for a native data transfer protocol as part of Basis Workplace. It allows for high-quality work in a virtual environment, does not require separate licenses for proprietary protocols, and simplifies platform operation. As for integration with Basis SDN, we consider it fundamentally important that the capabilities of our software-defined solution are available in other products of the ecosystem. For customers, this means more convenient management of the network part of the virtual infrastructure, faster deployment of workplaces, and a higher level of control over security and environment segmentation," commented Dmitry Sorokin, Technical Director of "Basis" company.