Offload Compositing with Virtual Machine Template

[Akinola Oke]

I am having issue create layer (Platform Layer) through a vSphere connector that has both "Virtual Machine Template" and "Offload Compositing" enabled.

After getting "Successfully uploaded boot image, it eventually failed with "The compositing Engine failed to initialize after '00:20:00'".

 

The suggestion in this link "https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX266994" could not be of help either.

 

I am aware that "Virtual Machine Template" is optional, but are they both not to be used in together?

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

You should be able to use them together. 

Are you saying that it succeeds if you dont use a template but fails if you do? 

 

Do you have dhcp in the subnet you are using for the packaging machines?  Do you have port 3260 open from the packaging machine to the app layering appliance?

[Akinola Oke]

Yes, it succeeds if a template is not used.

We do have dhcp on the subnet and it has been working as such, though without "Offload Compositing.

 

I have only be using connector with template but not enabling "Offload Compositing" until now.

Just now want to take advantage of this feature.

 

I have reverted the settings relating to CTX266994 since it did not bring any improvement.

 

From where should I look further?

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

The ce part us actually working since you have the vhdx file on your pvs store. Its the  import to pvs thats not working. You should open a ticket with support. 

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

One thing did you update the app layering agent on the pvs server when you upgraded your appliance?

[Akinola Oke]

Rob

 

Sorry, I think you're mixing up two issues. There two different discussions in parallel on "Offload Compositing" but different aspect.

Here is that I am not able to successfully create a layer while "Offload Compositing" is used together with "Virtual Machine Template"

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

Oh sorry you are right.  Do you have a firewall between where the packaging machines are created and the appliance?  If so you need port 3260 open back to the appliance.  If not then you should open a case to have support look at the ce logs. 

[Akinola Oke]

Thanks, I would contact support.

I do not see port 3260 being an issue as it works as long as "Offload Compositing" is not selected

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

Only offload compositing writes back to the appliance on that port. Normal connectors only write to the hypervisor. 

[Akinola Oke]

1 hour ago, Rob Zylowski1709158051 said:

Only offload compositing writes back to the appliance on that port. Normal connectors only write to the hypervisor. 

The "Offload Compositing" works when used alone, but failed when combined with "Virtual Machine Template"

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

Does your template have a different network defined?  Does it have two DVD drives?

[Akinola Oke]

17 minutes ago, Rob Zylowski1709158051 said:

Does your template have a different network defined?  Does it have two DVD drives?

No, the Connector and Template have same network defined.

I just observed that the network-adapter of the template is not set to connect at power on in vSphere setting, but this has never been an issue. VMXNET3 is being used.

It is same template I have been using for Months/Years, now just added "Offload Compositing" option.

 

I have eventually also added port 3260 in firewall exemption rule but no changes.

 

Any particular log I should look into?

Though I have created a ticket by support.

[Rob Zylowski1709158051]

Support will be able to answer there are logs on the ce you have to get them before it gets deleted.  But i am not familiar with them.