Blast is remote display protocols that boost the performance of endpoint devices in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) deployments. PCoIP is developed by Teradici and VMware takes the credit for introducing Blast Extreme. Let’s discuss how both protocols use data transfer rules that allow a desktop hosted at one location to display a client’s screen at another place, and how they differ in terms of performance.
PCoIP
Developed by Teradici and made available to the market back in 2007, PCoIP offers multiple codecs for various displays. Examples include text, video, or an image. It also ensures optimal CPU load and bandwidth usage. PCoIP codecs are specifically optimized for truly lossless image compression where an image can be compressed and decompressed again without any data loss. Such lossless support ensures that an image either loads cleanly or text is clear and easy to read with no compromise on quality. This is an important benefit in heavy applications, including CAD, GIS, finance, healthcare, and media, or anything that involves multimedia graphics.
PCoIP dynamically selects the suitable codec to apply according to the type of content so that users immediately receive a lossless text and simple graphics. It delivers bitmaps that outline the color of a pixel and where it appears on the screen. The process involves encoding the bitmaps on a remote host and streaming the data to a client. PCoIP only transfers screen regions that change from frame to frame to ensure transparent desktop activities.
Blast Extreme
Blast Extreme was developed for devices that support the H.264 video format. While VMware created the protocol with mobile devices in mind, it can be decoded by almost every available device today. Blast Extreme is decoded by GPU instead of CPU which results in improved bandwidth and reduced latency. It works well with mobile devices because GPU decoding does not put too much strain on battery life. Blast Extreme uses either Transmission Control Protocol or User Datagram Protocol. For an endpoint device to be able to work with Blast Extreme, it needs to have updated Horizon View Agents.
Notable Teradici PCoIP Capabilities
- PCoIP supports a variety of operating systems, client features, and VDI resources depending on the components involved and their features.
- Many industry verticals have adopted PCoIP technology to accommodate projects that require the highest possible image quality with multi-monitor displays. These include healthcare, finance, CAD, animation, and media industries that manage ultra-high-resolution display and rendering operations.
- PCoIP technology supports up to 3840×2160 4k UHD resolution.
- PCoIP protocol supports power users working across multiple displays and full frame-rate 3D graphics.
- With PCoIP, administrators can store and manage enterprise applications in the cloud or in a secure data center. Users benefit from quality interactive experience with their desktops and applications.
Notable VMware Blast Extreme Capabilities
- Users outside the corporate firewall can leverage Blast Extreme with your organization’s VPN. Another option is to make encrypted connections to an Access Point appliance or security server in the corporate DMZ.
- All types of client devices can be connected and optimization controls are available for minimizing bandwidth usage on the LAN and WAN.
- Multiple monitor support is available for up to 4 monitors with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 per screen. Pivot display and autofit features are also available along with USB redirection.
- MMR redirection is available for clients with Windows and remote desktop operating systems.
- Use graphic cards compatible with H.264 encoding for optimal results.
Benefits of PCoIP vs Benefits of Blast Extreme
PCoIP vs Blast Extreme
PCoIP is designed for a lossless UX with the help of the VMware View system setup as the traffic arrives through LAN/WAN. As the packets are transferred in a UDP flow, VMware View ensures that users do not face any latency issues. PCoIP supports different video codecs and its ability to automatically switch between them makes the protocol perfect for high-performance workloads. This is exactly why it is so popular in government organizations, military corporations, health institutes, financial enterprises, and the media industry. Users in research, engineering, and deep learning operations also benefit from receiving distortion-free images, graphics, and un-compromised time and mission-critical data.
Blast Extreme is mostly used for basic-level tasks as it ensures minimum disk space and bandwidth usage. The compression algorithm in H.264 protocol is customizable and you can choose between lossless and lossy compression. While the picture quality remains unchanged in lossless compression even when the file size is compressed, lossy compression permanently removes certain information from the original file. Such data may be redundant as well. Opting for lossy compression involves making a trade-off between file size and image quality which can be useful in certain situations.
Using Blast Extreme means relying on more on-device GPU and nowadays, most devices support the H.264 protocol. Hence, it is ideal for video streaming in small-scale projects or VDI setups as it provides high-definition video streaming through its long-distance signal transmission abilities.
Conclusion
Every user has their unique needs and the industry they specialize in also plays an important role when it comes to choosing between PCoIP and Blast Extreme. Both have their own benefits and what one lacks in specific circumstances, the other makes up for it. PCoIP is used by many tech giants as it outclasses Blast Extreme in VDI environments with its crisp and clear visual results, bandwidth efficiency, and performance in heavy assignments. On the other hand, Blast Extreme is preferable for setups where systems use GPUs with H.264 encoding abilities. Its performance accelerates with the usage of NVIDIA GRID Tesla GPU cards, making it possible to manage multiple mobile users in VDI project plans.
