File-Based Write Filter (Fbwf) - Dell OptiPlex VDI Blaster Edition Administration Manual

File-Based Write Filter (FBWF)

What is Disk Management?
Disk Management is the management of your terminals internal local drive disk.
It is quite literally the brain of your unit and taking care of the unit's disk is the
best way to ensure the unit will perform for as long as possible. A carefully
preserved local drive will work more efficiently, last much longer, and perform
better overall. In addition, proper security techniques will greatly reduce the
chance of fatal error messages and/or accidental malicious software downloads.
Another definition of the word management literally refers to managing several
thin clients from an Administrator terminal. The Administrator terminal logs
into a secure Echo server and can manage multiple thin clients simultaneously.
Your terminal is designed with both management techniques in mind, and this
chapter explains the steps required to manage your terminal correctly. The
terminal's local drive disk is protected by a Write Filter, which acts like a barrier
between the internet and your actual local drive. The user can use this barrier to
protect and manage the terminal's actual local drive from unwanted changes.
The terminals can also be managed remotely from another terminal using the
Echo Thin Client Management Software. Both ideas are introduced in this
section.
Write Filters
A write filter allows the user to decide which files are saved to the local drive,
and which files or changes are discarded. Use the write filter to configure which
files are written to the disk permanently, and which files are only written to an
overlay in the memory. The write filter, when turned on, will make disk
changes like installing new hardware, upgrading internet browsers and plug-ins,
or isolating a virus to the terminal's memory, in an overlay. The changes are not
saved to the local drive. The next time the terminal is rebooted, the new
hardware is not installed, your browser or plug-in is not upgraded, and the virus
is gone. All of the changes are stored on a memory overlay and are erased on
reboot. Once the memory overlay is wiped clean, the original underlying image
remains unchanged, still in the state it was in since the last reboot. It is a good
practice to leave the filter turned on unless you are upgrading or installing new
hardware or software. After the installation is complete, it is recommended you
re-enable the write filter.
12 | Understanding Your Thin Client