What is AWS AppStream Multi-session Host?

Amazon AppStream 2.0 is a fully managed Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application streaming and virtual desktop streaming service that simplifies application delivery through NICE DCV. Administrators can centrally manage desktop applications on AppStream 2.0 and securely deliver them to any end-user device. Users access the same version of each application using their existing credentials and security policies control access. Multi-session fleets feature in the Amazon AppStream 2.0 enable administrators to host multiple end-user sessions on a single AppStream 2.0 instance simultaneously. This capability helps organizations maximize resource utilization, reduce costs, and support multiple users from a shared, centrally managed application streaming environment hosted on the cloud. It works well for predictable, extremely light, or sporadically spikey workloads, where efficient sharing of resources amongst multiple users is possible.

Why Monitor AWS AppStream Multi-session Host?

The AWS AppStream Multi-session Host enables users to access applications or desktops without each requiring a dedicated instance. The users are allowed to share the compute, memory, and storage resources of a single AppStream 2.0 instance. As, resources are shared among multiple users of the single instance, spikes in resource usage by one user can have an adverse effect on the performance of other users. Also, such issues if not captured promptly and weeded out quickly, may delay/stop streaming of applications/desktops, thus implementing a robust monitoring tool at the instance level is essential to mitigate the impacts of noisy neighbors.

For a more than satisfactory user experience with multi-session hosting, administrators should make sure that the users are able to access applications streamed by the target host quickly and are able to use them continuously. Inexplicable delays in application/desktop access, prolonged slowness when streaming applications, sudden session log outs, are some of the key factors impacting a user’s experience with the target host. To proactively detect and avert such anomalies before end-users notice, administrators should continuously monitor the AppStream Multi-session environment to quickly detect resource contention, potential bottlenecks affecting user experience, accurately diagnose their root-cause, and rapidly resolve them, thus ensuring better user experience with the AppStream Multi-session environment.