2017 is already proving to be an exciting year for HDX user experience technology. XenApp and XenDesktop 7.13 introduced Adaptive Transport Technology as well as graphics bandwidth improvements. In this blog post, we will focus on the enhancements in HDX 3D Pro in XenDesktop 7.13 with AMD server graphics.

HDX 3D Pro enables customers to deliver desktops and applications that leverage graphics processing units for hardware acceleration. This includes applications requiring OpenGL, OpenCL and DirectX support. In today’s virtualized desktop and application environment, more and more applications and use cases require high quality imagery and large displays which necessitates access to physical GPUs to improve the user experience. It is very exciting and welcoming news that Citrix has introduced XenDesktop 7.13 with AMD Server graphics solution support.

In the XenDesktop 7.13 release, HDX 3D Pro unlocks AMD server graphics with MxGPU support in desktop VDAs. Customers who wish to adopt an AMD server graphics solution can go to the AMD virtualization graphics web site to find the supported GPU and hypervisor configuration and guest VM OS support guidance.

How can you get your HDX 3D Pro project started with AMD server graphics?

Step1. Verify with your hardware vendor for AMD server graphics GPU support. At the time of this post’s release, the supported AMD server GPUs are AMD FirePro™ S7100, AMD FirePro™ S7150, and AMD FirePro™ S7150 x2 (future update from AMD will be posted here).

Step2. Follow AMD’s MxGPU setup guide to complete the hypervisor configuration. (The detailed setup will be updated by AMD for supportability on the MxGPU solution). If you want to learn more about the AMD’s MxGPU hardware solution check this link.

Step3. Set up a supported desktop OS and enable remote desktop to allow console access to the VM after the AMD driver install (the Hypervisor VM console will be disabled after virtualized graphics driver install). Install the required Radeon Pro Software guest OS driver (for the list of supported guest OSes, please verify AMD driver download pages currently in beta).

Step4. Install Citrix XenDesktop VDA with HDX 3D Pro mode enabled. Create Machine Catalog and Delivery Groups to deploy the HDX 3D Pro desktop. Configure the HDX 3D Pro related policies as needed for your deployment use case.

Watch the video below to see the solution’s overall user experience and unleash the power of the AMD server graphics in your HDX 3D Pro deployment.

For next steps, refer to the Citrix HDX 3D Pro landing page. If you are not already running XenDesktop 7.13, start your trial today.

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