Multi-Monitor & 4K Performance

Overview

This test case is designed for high-performance user personas like financial traders, engineers, or software developers who rely on multiple high-resolution displays. It validates the zTC’s ability to drive a demanding display setup (up to its maximum of three monitors) at 4K resolution.

The test focuses on critical performance aspects: correct detection of monitor capabilities (EDID), smooth cursor movement, stability when display connections are changed (hot-plug), and proper UI scaling to ensure a productive and comfortable user experience.

zTC/zMAN Configuration

Display settings can be configured centrally from zMAN or locally on the zTC device.

Method 1: Centralized Configuration via zMAN (Recommended)

1. Log into zMAN Director: Access the zMAN management UI.
2. Create a Display Settings Configuration:
   • Navigate to Device Settings -> Settings.
   • Click ADD SETTINGS.
   • In the “Settings Configuration” window, select the Display section from the left pane.
   • Configure the desired multi-monitor setup. For a dual 4K setup, you would configure two monitors with a resolution of 3840×2160 and select “Extended” as the mode.
   • Give the configuration a descriptive name (e.g., Dual_4K_Engineers) and save it.
3. Apply Settings to zTC Device:
   • Navigate to Device Management -> zTC Clients -> LIST.
   • Find and select the target zTC device.
   • Click the “Apply” button to push the Dual_4K_Engineers settings configuration to the device.

Method 2: Local Configuration on zTC

1. Open Display Settings: On the zTC desktop, navigate to the Start menu -> Preferences -> Display.
2. Configure Extended Desktop:
   • The “Display Settings” window will show all detected monitors. For each monitor you want to use, ensure the Turn On checkbox is ticked.
   • For the secondary and tertiary monitors, set the Position to create an extended desktop (e.g., “On right to default”).
   • From the Resolution dropdown for each monitor, select 3840×2160. From the Refresh Rate dropdown.
   • If needed for legibility, tick the Enable 4K Scaling checkbox.
3. Apply and Save
   • Click Apply to preview the new display layout.
   • If the layout is correct, click Save to make the changes permanent.

3rd Party Setup (VDI Environment)

1. Configure VDI Pool: Ensure the virtual desktop pool (Citrix, VMware, or AVD) is configured with sufficient video RAM (vRAM) to support multiple 4K displays (e.g., 256MB or higher).
2. Set Broker Policies: Check the VDI broker policies (Citrix Policies, Horizon GPOs, etc.) to ensure they are not limiting session display resolution or the number of monitors.
3. Install VDI Agent: The virtual desktop image should have the latest VDI agent installed and be optimized for high-performance graphics.

Execution

1. Hardware Setup: Connect two (or up to the maximum of three) 4K monitors capable of 60Hz to the appropriate display outputs on the zTC device.
2. Boot and Verify Configuration: Power on the zTC. Confirm that the extended desktop is active across all monitors at 3840×2160 resolution and the highest possible refresh rate.
3. Local Performance Test:
   • Move the mouse cursor rapidly in circles and back and forth between the monitors. Note any perceived lag, stutter, or jumping.
   • Open a local application like the Chromium Web Browser and drag the window between monitors. Observe if the movement is smooth or choppy.
4. In-Session Performance Test:
   • Launch a full-screen VDI session. It should automatically extend across all connected monitors.
   • On one monitor, open a browser in the VDI session and play a high-resolution video (e.g., 1440p or 4K on a news site or YouTube).
   • On the other monitor, simultaneously work with a productivity application like a spreadsheet or word processor. Type, scroll, and interact with the application.
5. Hot-Plug Test:
   • With the VDI session still active and extended across all screens, physically disconnect the video cable of one of the secondary monitors.
   • Observe the zTC’s behavior as it reconfigures to a reduced-monitor setup.
   • After a few moments, reconnect the video cable for the monitor you just unplugged.

Verification

• Display Detection & Configuration (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: SnapOS Display Settings correctly auto-detects all connected monitors, their native resolutions, and refresh rates. The user can successfully configure and save an extended desktop at 3840×2160  across the maximum number of supported displays.
  • FAIL: Monitors are not detected, incorrect resolutions/refresh rates are shown, or the extended desktop configuration fails to apply or save correctly.
• Performance & Latency (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: The mouse cursor is responsive and moves smoothly across and between screens. Dragging application windows between monitors is fluid. In-session, high-resolution video plays back without significant stuttering while the user can still interact with applications on the other screen.
  • FAIL: The cursor feels sluggish, laggy, or jumps. Dragging windows between screens is choppy or shows visual tearing. Video playback in-session is unwatchable or causes the entire user session to become unresponsive.
• Scaling (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: When the “Enable 4K Scaling” option is used, text, icons, and UI elements on the local SnapOS desktop and within the VDI session are scaled appropriately to be clear and legible¹⁵.
  • FAIL: UI elements are rendered too small to be used comfortably, or they are scaled in a blurry or distorted manner.
• Hot-Plug Functionality (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: When a monitor is disconnected, the SnapOS desktop and the active VDI session gracefully reconfigure to the remaining display(s) without crashing or freezing. When the monitor is reconnected, the extended desktop is restored automatically or with minimal user action.
  • FAIL: Disconnecting a monitor causes the zTC to freeze, lose the signal on all displays, or crash the VDI session. Reconnecting the monitor does not restore the previous display configuration or leads to further instability.