Alibaba Cloud Adaptive Streaming Protocol (ASP) excels in the streaming engine, compression algorithm, network transmission, and multi-terminal SDKs. To improve the user experience of cloud computers, we recommend that you update non ASP-based cloud computers, cloud computer pools, or custom images to ASP-based ones. This topic describes the update methods and precautions.
Background
ASP benefits
The ASP protocol can provide excellent performance, high reliability, and enhanced security for streaming. The ASP technical design integrates graphics command streams, graphics streams, and audio and video streams. The ASP protocol integrates multiple key technologies, such as image analysis, encoding, live streaming media, and network quality of service (QoS) optimization. The protocol also supports multi-platform SDKs.
ASP-based cloud computers provide the following benefits:
Independent of third-party components, faster connection speed, and instant startup.
Low-latency transmission with high-quality audio and video and support for communication applications such as DingTalk and WeChat.
Higher display resolution and support for 4K ultra HD display and high-definition lossless image quality.
Comprehensive monitoring of cloud computer status and visual display of information such as latency, upstream and downstream bandwidths, and FPS.
For more information, see ASP.
Update duration
Updating a cloud computer takes approximately 30 minutes.
Update billing
You are not charged for updating non ASP-based cloud computers, cloud computer pools, or custom images to ASP-based ones.
After you complete the update, fees for cloud computers or cloud computer pools are still the same as before.
Update impacts
After you complete the update, features provided by cloud computers or cloud computer pools are still the same as before. Feel free to perform the update.
During the update process, you cannot manage cloud computers or cloud computer pools that are in the Updating state in the Elastic Desktop Service console. End users cannot access the cloud computers that are in the Updating state from Alibaba Cloud Workspace terminals.
Take note of the following items before you update cloud computer pools:
If you want to update a pay-as-you-go cloud computer pool, the update operation does not take effect on existing cloud computers in the pool. Instead, the templates associated with the pool are updated to ensure that new cloud computers created based on the templates in the pool use the ASP protocol.
If you want to update a subscription cloud computer pool, the update operation takes effect on both the existing cloud computers in the pool and the templates associated with the pool. If you have enabled the auto-scaling feature for the cloud computer pool that you want to update, the update operation does not take effect on the existing cloud computers that are automatically scaled in the pool. However, new cloud computers that are automatically scaled in the pool use the ASP protocol after the update is complete.
You cannot use a custom image that is in the Updating state to create cloud computers. You must wait for the update to complete before you can use the custom image to create cloud computers.
Update suggestions
To ensure a smooth update, we recommend that you update a single cloud computer or cloud computer pool first. If the update is successful, you can update multiple or all cloud computers or cloud computer pools at the same time.
You can directly update custom images. Alternatively, you can create custom images based on ASP-based cloud computers that you updated. For information about how to create a custom image, see Create an image.
After the update is complete, we recommend that end users use the latest Alibaba Cloud Workspace terminals to secure optimal user experience.
Prerequisites
To ensure a successful update, the cloud computers, cloud computer pools, or custom images that you want to update must meet the following requirements:
The cloud computers, cloud computer pools, or custom images use Windows OSs and non-ASP protocols.
The cloud computers are in the Stopped, Running, or Maintaining state and have no end users connected.
You perform the update operation by using an Alibaba Cloud account rather than a Resource Access Management (RAM) user.
Procedure
Log on to the Elastic Desktop Service console.
Go to the page where you can perform the update operation by using one of the following methods:
The first time you perform the update operation, the Introduction of Cloud Computer Update dialog box appears. Click Update Now in the dialog box.
In the Message Center section of the Overview page, click Cloud computers can be updated to ASP-based cloud computers, which is free of charge.
In the upper-left corner of the Cloud Computers page, click view details in the prompt message.
On the Update Cloud Computer page, select one of the following update methods based on your business requirements:
Full update
You can perform a one-off update that covers all cloud computers or cloud computer pools that meet the update requirements.
In the Upgrade Scope section, click the All tab.
Configure one of the following parameter based on your business requirements:
Update Now: Only cloud computers or cloud computer pools that are in the Stopped, Running, or Maintaining state and have no end users connected can be automatically updated.
Scheduled Upgrade: You must also configure the Upgrade On and Upgrade At parameters. By default, the effective period of a scheduled update task is one month.
Partial update
You can also perform the update on only a portion of your cloud computers or cloud computer pools.
In the Upgrade Scope section, click the Cloud Computer/Pool Update tab.
In the Cloud Computer ID or Cloud Computer Pool ID text box, enter the ID of the cloud computer or cloud computer pool that you want to update. If you enter multiple IDs, separate them with commas (,).
Configure one of the following parameter based on your business requirements:
Update Now: Only cloud computers or cloud computer pools that are in the Stopped, Running, or Maintaining state and have no end users connected can be automatically updated.
Scheduled Upgrade: You must also configure the Upgrade On and Upgrade At parameters. By default, the effective period of a scheduled update task is one month.
Image update
In the Upgrade Scope section, click the Custom Image tab.
In the Custom Image ID text box, enter the ID of the custom image that you want to update. If you enter multiple IDs, separate them with commas (,).
NoteFor information about how to obtain a custom image ID, see How do I view the ID of a custom image?
Click Confirm Upgrade. In the message that appears, click Confirm.
On the Update Cloud Computer page, you can check the update progress and details. For example, you can check whether the update is in progress, complete, or failed. You can also check the numbers of cloud computers, cloud computer pools, or custom images that are in the Updating, Updated, Failed, and Pending Update states and their details.
FAQ
Are the features of a cloud computer different after the update?
No, the ASP-based cloud computer or cloud computer pool provides the same features as before the update.
Am I charged for the update?
No, you are not charged any fees for the update.
Are the billing rules different after the update?
No, the billing rules are the same as before the update.
What do I do if end users fail to connect to cloud computers after the update?
This problem may occur if outdated Alibaba Cloud Workspace terminals are used by end users. We recommend that end users download and install the latest Alibaba Cloud Workspace terminals and try to connect to cloud computers again.
How do I view the ID of a custom image?
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
Go to the Images page and click the Custom Image tab. Find the desired custom image and view its Image ID/Name column to obtain the image ID.
NoteYou can select HDX or ASP in the Protocol Type column to quickly filter custom images of the specified protocol.