Introduction

This document explains how to use the Virtual Computer Services (VCS) window across multiple displays, and general information about how to configure monitors to optimize workflow.

Applicability

This article is geared towards anyone using or supporting VCS.

Details

Multi Monitor setup

Virtual Desktops can be used on multiple monitors. IST has tested up to 3 concurrent displays for a VCS session. VCS will mimic the same multi-monitor configuration that your physical computer uses.

When you first launch a virtual desktop, it opens in a window, much like any regular application might. To take advantage of multiple displays, you need to extend the sides of the window, into any monitor you wish to use for the virtual desktop. Then by pressing the Maximize button, or from the Citrix Preferences menu, click on Full Screen.

Multi Monitor setup on Mac

Dual display on Mac can be configured by clicking on the View menu, then ensure Use All Displays in Full Screen is selected, Then once you click on Enter Full Screen, it will utilize both screens.

Screen Resolution

All screen resolutions up to 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) are supported in VCS. However, since VCS relies heavily on your network connection, and higher screen resolutions means there is more data to transmit, we have some general guidelines you can follow if the performance of VCS feels sluggish.

• Working on campus with a wired network connection - All screen resolutions up to 4K (3840 x 2160) should perform fine.
• Working on campus over UWS or other wireless network - UWS will have less bandwidth to work with, so higher resolutions may not be optimal. 1080p (1920x1080) should work fine most of the time. However, many of users may impact performance over UWS.
• Working remotely over a wired network connection - All screen resolutions will work, however 4K (3840x2160) has shown to be slightly sluggish on a 300mbps internet connection.
• Working remotely on personal or public WiFi - There will generally be a number of factors that may impact performance of VCS over this type of network. We would recommend no higher than 1080p, and may need to be lowered, if you cannot change WiFi networks or plugin to a wired connection.

Image Quality

To deliver a feature rich desktop experience, some image and text compression may be used to help deliver a fluid like user experience. IST has configured image and text compression to find a good balance between performance and quality. Local connections to VCS on campus will have less compression than remote connections. However there may be some use cases when performance is of utmost importance over image quality, or vice versa. These settings can be tweaked for certain users if they need. Please reach out to IST if you need better visual quality, or if you have a poor network connection to VCS, and we can find a suitable configuration.

Monitor Layout

With Citrix Workspace App, there is a feature that will let you create a virtual multiple monitor layout. This may be handy for users with 4k displays or ultrawide monitors that want to create a multiple monitor like setup. This lets you customize your desktop to improve your workflow.

In the layout below the single monitor is split down the middle, thus creating two equal size virtual monitors.

In the layout below, the single monitor is split down the middle, and then the right virtual screen is split horizontally, giving the user 3 virtual screens.

Once you create the layout you want, click Apply. Then you'll need to toggle your VCS window to Windowed mode (from the black drop down menu), then maximize it again after for the layout to take effect.

You can also reference the following Youtube video for a demonstration of what this feature does. Citrix video on virtual monitor layout.

Keywords: VCS,Virtual Computer Services,dual display,two, monitors, display, screens