Note	In this deployment guide, the term thin client refers to reused PCs, or other supported client devices set up to provide access to hosted virtual desktops (HVD).

With Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine (Cisco VXME), thin client users can place and receive calls with their Cisco Unified Communications client (Cisco Jabber). Cisco VXME consists of the Cisco VXME Agent and the Cisco VXME Client. To reduce latency and to enhance media quality, VXME streams media between the endpoints without going through the hosted virtual desktops.

Cisco VXME also includes support for some accessories. For more information about supported accessories, see Release Notes for Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine for Windows for your release.

Figure 1. Determine Whether You Need Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine for Windows. Use the following flowchart to determine whether you require VXME for your virtual environment.

• Supported Windows thin clients

  For more information about the minimum requirements for supported thin clients, see the Release Notes for Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine for Windows for your release.

• Cisco VXME Client installed on the thin client

• Cisco VXME Agent installed on the HVD

• Cisco Jabber installed on the HVD

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager

The user experience with Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine and a supported Cisco Unified Communications client is similar to the experience provided by a standard Cisco Unified Communications client installation. However, in a virtual environment there are some differences:

• The Cisco Unified Communications client detects the virtual environment at run time and starts in virtualization mode.

• Users can choose to control their Cisco IP Phones or to use their computers to make and receive calls. The default phone selection is Use my computer for calls. After device selection, the Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine application starts the transfer of the phone configuration data for that user. For more information, see Configuration Files.

• Users can manage their camera and audio devices by using the Device Selector, which is located in the Windows notification area. Users can also use the following tabs to manage their camera and audio devices from within their Cisco Unified Communications client:

  • File > Options > Audio

  • File > Options > Video

• By default, all calls send and receive video if both parties have video capability. Users can select their preference from the following options:

  • Always start calls with video: Starts all calls as video calls, which send local video

  • Never start calls with video: Starts all calls as audio-only calls

  This setting applies to all calls that the user places and receives. The default setting is Always start calls with video. Users can change this setting in File > Options > Calls.

  Note	You can disable video globally or on a per-device basis on the Cisco Unified Communications Manager. Navigate to System > Enterprise Phone Configuration and set Video Calling to Disabled.

• Some menus and options for the supported Cisco Unified Communications clients are different. For example, users cannot start Video Desktop Share (Binary Floor Control Protocol) from the call window. Video Desktop Share is supported only from the IM-chat window (Remote Desktop Protocol).