Small to Large Deployments (1 to 500 users)

Leveraging platforms such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services Jiwa can be hosted to automatically scale to any number of users.

You can deploy a native session-based Remote Desktop Services (in Windows Server) deployment in a hosted environment (like on Azure Virtual Machines). These deployments are best for customers already familiar with and that have existing technical expertise with RDS deployments. Citrix XenApp can also be used to host the client application, allowing iOS, Android, Mac and Windows clients. Using Azure SQL Database as the database provides virtually zero maintenance burden and redundant storage.

We recommend using a Remote Desktop Services server in the same datacentre as the SQL database. This means not using local Jiwa clients connecting to a SQL Azure database.

The cost of this solution involves the RDS Server and the SQL Database:

It is possible to scale up or scale down easily, depending on your experience.  The Azure pricing page shows all the available scenarios.

In estimating the cost of your cloud solution don't forget to allow for migration assistance from Jiwa or your technical support.  We have found 3 to 6 hours of time a reasonable amount, depending on your circumstances.

See also: Provisioning an Azure environment

Small Deployments (1 to 5 users)

As a general rule, small deployments of between 1 and 5 users are deployed with the Jiwa client installed on the desktop machines of each user, and each client communicating with the SQL Server via direct LAN connection.

For any geographically remote users, it is recommended to utilise a Remote Desktop Services server (RDS) as discussed in the medium sized deployments section below.

As the number of users rises above 5 users, the management burden of deploying patches and providing a consistence user experience for all users increases. Whilst the infrastructure will certainly handle more concurrent users easily, the cost benefit of moving to an RDS scenario becomes apparent.

Hardware and Software requirements

SQL Server

Workstation

For ultra-small deployments of 1 or 2 users, the MS SQL Server can be installed on a desktop machine, and the free edition of MS SQL Express could be utilised when cost is a significant factor. Whilst this solution will not scale well, it does eliminate the hardware and software cost of a dedicated MS SQL Server.

Medium Sized Deployments (5 to 50 users)

Management is a primary concern with medium sized deployments. Managing software on many tens of desktops can be difficult and time consuming. For that reason, RDS services is utilised.

The RDS Server hosts a Windows desktop environment for each user on the RDS Server, and the presentation layer (screen, keyboard, mouse and audio) is relayed to and from the physical users desktop and the RDS Server. As this technology utilises the RDS Server’s hardware for running the application, the hardware requirements for each desktop are reduced considerably.

As the applications installed on the RDS Server are shared amongst all users, an application needs only to be installed once on the RDS Server, saving considerable time in installation and maintenance.

Hardware and Software requirements

MS SQL Server

MS RDS Server

*The exact ram and CPU requirements will depend on the number of expected concurrent users. Allow 512MB and 10% of a logical CPU core per concurrent user as a guide.

Workstation

Large Deployments (50 to 200 users)

When the single RDS Server topology is unable to cope with the number of concurrent users, then the topology need to change to introduce many RDS Servers.

Technology such as virtualisation or Citrix can be utilised to automatically load-balance users onto the most appropriate RDS Server, or a manual designation can be used.

The management burden is increased with each additional RDS Server, as the applications and patches will need to be installed maintained on each RDS Server.

As the organisation grows, and the number of concurrent users increased, additional RDS Servers can be added to spread the load.

As SQL Server cannot be have its workload distributed in this fashion, the only alternative is to scale the SQL Server hardware up – that is, to increase the RAM, CPU and disk capabilities.

Hardware and Software requirements

MS SQL Server

MS RDS Server

*The exact ram and CPU requirements will depend on the number of expected concurrent users. Allow 512MB and 10% of a logical CPU core per concurrent user as a guide.

Workstation