RES Workspace Manager 2012 Relay Server explained

logoWith the release of RES Workspace Manager 2012 (RES WM 2012) came along a new server role in the RES WM 2012 architecture.

Ok, but what does it do?, when do I need it?, what are the requirements and how do I install and configure this role? These are a few questions I will answer in this article.

The Relay server was created to take some load of the connection to the SQL datastore. Ok, but how many connections can a SQL server take?
Some research on the internet places that number somewhere around 32.762. If you have your logging and configuration data in separated databases the number is 16.381.

With the RES WM 2012 Relay server this consideration is no longer necessary. The Relay server also makes it easier to deploy RES WM servers on an remote location. It is not needed anymore to replicate the database. With the relay server it is easier to scale your environment. Less network traffic. The load on the datastore is reduced. There is no need to install a database driver on your XenApp server because the connections to the datastore go through the relay server. The relay server in the Workspace Manager architecture has the same role as the dispatcher has in the RES Automation Manager architecture.

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If you want to deploy an Relay server first take a look at the system requirements:

– Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
Any of the following server operating systems:
– Microsoft Windows 2003 x86/x64
– Microsoft Windows 2003 R2 x86/x64
– Microsoft Windows 2008 x86/x64
– Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 x64
Available hard disk storage space must be at least 500 MB plus the current size of the Agent cache. (The size of the “Configuration and state” part of the primary Datastore provides an indication of the current cache size).

A Relay Server connecting directly to the Datastore needs to have the database client installed for the type of database used for the RES Workspace Manager Datastore. A child Relay Server connecting to another Relay Server does not need a database client.

An environment password must be configured in the RES Workspace Manager Console (at the Relay Servers node, using the button Change environment password). This secures your Relay Servers from unauthorized access.

Note
The following operating systems are also supported, but may set a maximum on the number of inbound connections:
– Microsoft Windows XP x86/x64
– Microsoft Windows Vista x86/x64
– Microsoft Windows 7 x86/x64

I am going to install the software on a Windows 2008 R2 server. You are going to need the following installer: RES-WM-2012-SR1-Relay-Server(x64)-9.7.1.0.msi

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Click next

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After reading, accept the EULA and click next.

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Click next

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Click install

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To setup the connection to the database click add.

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In the connection wizard click next.

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Click next

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Enter the SQL connection info.

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You now receive this error.

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To solve the above error you have to go to the RES Workspace Manager Console, under Administration you have click on the button ‘Manage environment password’. Enter the password and click on ok. Normally you should enter this password before you start deploying Relay Servers but to explain its function I placed it here. Click again on the next button in the Connection Wizzard.

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Click next

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Click next

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Click finish

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So now we are back at the RES Workspace Manager Relay Server Configuration Window. Click ok.

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Now the setup is finished, click finish.

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In Workspace Manger under agents you search for the XenApp server you want to connect through the relay server. Double click on the server, on the connection tab you select from the dropdown list for Database Connection ‘Connect through Relay Server’.
On Connection method you check the checkbox for ‘Preconfigured (using list)’.

The WM database connection for the server XA001 connects through the relay server web01.