AWS WorkSpaces – Deploying Applications using Liquidware FlexApp

At this point in the AWS WorkSpaces series, I have created my own image bundle, deployed and tested AD-joined WorkSpaces, and have setup Liquidware ProfileUnity to save user settings.  Now, I want to add applications to my WorkSpace BUT without actually installing them onto my WorkSpace.  How can one add an application to a machine … Continue reading AWS WorkSpaces – Deploying Applications using Liquidware FlexApp

AWS WorkSpaces – Integrating Liquidware ProfileUnity

Years ago, when I started working with Citrix MetaFrame 1.8, I don't recall ANY conversations centered around user profile/settings management.  Through the haze of memory, it seems like the biggest factor affecting end-user satisfaction was ensuring the appropriate mailbox was accessed when Outlook was launched from the MetaFrame server.  Then as things progressed toward shared … Continue reading AWS WorkSpaces – Integrating Liquidware ProfileUnity

AWS WorkSpaces – Creating a WorkSpace Using an AD Connector

As a continuation of the AWS WorkSpaces series, I'll detail the steps to deploy a WorkSpace into an Active Directory domain using a customized WorkSpace bundle in this post. Creating a WorkSpace Using an AD Connector Within the AWS console, click WorkSpaces under the Desktop & App Streaming heading. On the WorkSpaces page, click WorkSpaces … Continue reading AWS WorkSpaces – Creating a WorkSpace Using an AD Connector

2018 AWS Public Sector Notes – Cost Optimization on AWS

As promised through Twitter, here are my notes from my second Thursday morning session from last week’s AWS Public Sector Summit in Washington, DC.  This session, on AWS Cost Optimization led by Matt Johnson, was packed!  Honestly, I was a little surprised by that initially though I’m not sure why….I mean, I have my AWS … Continue reading 2018 AWS Public Sector Notes – Cost Optimization on AWS

2018 AWS Public Summit Notes – Culture Shock: How a Legacy, Siloed Organization Can Move to the Cloud

In this session, which was filled to overflowing, Sherry Stevens of NAIC and Jeffrey Olson of The College Board discussed their organizations journey to the AWS cloud.  I found it interesting to hear their thoughts and appreciated that both organizations were in different stages of their cloud journey.  NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) is … Continue reading 2018 AWS Public Summit Notes – Culture Shock: How a Legacy, Siloed Organization Can Move to the Cloud

Recovering from a failed AWS Tape Gateway

If you deploy an AWS tape gateway that encounters an unrecoverable failure, you can "potentially" recover any virtual tape data that has already been uploaded to AWS to another tape gateway.  I say "potentially" because I have experienced the corruption of (1) virtual tape; this could happen if your tape gateway experiences its fatal failure … Continue reading Recovering from a failed AWS Tape Gateway

AWS – Converting EC2 from an On-Demand to Reserved Instance

I could be dead wrong, but I imagine that many customers begin their AWS journey using on-demand instances in order to "test the water" to avoid making rash long-term commitment.  Now let's assume the initial testing of an organizations application(s) in AWS is successful and the organization is ready to go "all in" the cloud, … Continue reading AWS – Converting EC2 from an On-Demand to Reserved Instance

Did you manually delete a resource created by AWS CloudFormation?

"There's no compression algorithm for experience.  You can't learn certain lessons without going through the curve." Andy Jassy, CEO AWS There's no substitute for experience, I'm sure this is a lesson we've all learned many times.  I had a refresher course in this recently while trying to further refine a CloudFormation template I've been working … Continue reading Did you manually delete a resource created by AWS CloudFormation?

AWS re:Invent Notes: GPSTEC319 — GPS: Build Once, Deploy Many: Architecting Deployments CloudFormation

Here are some raw notes from GPSTEC319  --  GPS: Build Once, Deploy Many: Architecting and Building Automated, Reusable Reference Deployments with AWS CloudFormation what they learned from building over 50 reference deployments by automating deployments, we can reduce human error A day in the life of IT (stages) discover solutions to a business problem (partner, vendor, … Continue reading AWS re:Invent Notes: GPSTEC319 — GPS: Build Once, Deploy Many: Architecting Deployments CloudFormation