Self-Sourcing a Userful Server
Introduction
This article is intended to assist Userful customers in selecting hardware when purchasing Userful hardware is not conducive to the terms of a deal. It covers possible system architectures, recommended best practices, and frequently asked questions when selecting third-party hardware to run Userful On-Premise.
Summary
Userful on-premise is, at its core, a complete Linux-based operating system derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7. The system kernel and drivers are not significantly altered, except for extra drivers for Blackmagic capture cards, NVIDIA GPUs, and some network interfaces.
With this in mind, you can install the Userful Infinity Platform on any system certified for RHEL 7. However, several considerations must be made when selecting the system configuration for a production-level, userful system. Any system designs that are not sold directly from Userful must be vetted ahead of time by a Userful sales engineer. When selecting an architecture for a system not purchased from Userful, it is always advisable to ensure vendor support is available through your channels.
Compatibility
In addition to selecting powerful components, selecting systems with chipsets compatible with Userful is crucial. Though much of what is commercially available advertises RHEL compatibility, the latest Userful release may be up to 4-6 months behind the latest available RHEL hardware enablement updates. This could result in purchasing a system with non-functional network adapters or other components that can generate errors and cause system instability and failures. It’s highly recommended to have initial system specifications reviewed by a Userful sales engineer before purchase.
Certified GPUs
Userful leverages the NVIDIA CUDA compute platform as a core component of the system architecture. NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are used to decode and encode video media and perform transformation operations that allow calibration of video walls using any type or shape of the display and create real-time video streams for clients. They can also be selectively utilized to 3D-accelerate application source sessions like WebGL.
NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are an essential part of the Userful solution, and it is always worth securing a certified GPU as they have been matched with our software for the best performance. For all versions of Userful Infinity, the list of supported GPUs is:
Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000, Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000, and Nvidia Quadro RTX 6000.
Nvidia RTX A4000, Nvidia RTX A45000, Nvidia RTX A5500, Nvidia RTX A5000, and Nvidia RTX A6000.
Please note that it is crucial that you only install certified GPUs based on your license when customizing and self-sourcing a Userful server. For more details, refer to the Certified GPUs article.
This list is subject to change as Userful updates its support for GPUs by license type.
Supported HDMI Capture
Userful includes drivers and certifications to work with a select set of Blackmagic video capture cards. While we include the commercially available Blackmagic driver compatible with their entire lineup of DeckLink capture cards, only certain cards are certified to work with Userful.
DeckLink Model | PCIe Version | PCIe Slot | Connection | Max Resolution |
Mini Recorder 4K | 2 | x4 | HDMI or SDI | 4K60 |
Duo 2 | 2 | x4 | SDI (x4) | 1080p60 |
Quad 2 | 2 | x8 | SDI DIN (x8) | 1080p60 |
Quad HDMI | 3 | x8 | HDMI | 4K60 |
It is important to note that while you can easily install multiple 4- or 8-port capture cards in a system, you are limited to actively playing 24x 1080p60 or 4x 4K streams at once. This capability is only achieved through a Tier 2 Private Cloud Server.
It is not recommended to select video capture devices that require proprietary drivers available for download from the vendors' site to work, as these can be unreliable, and there is no guarantee of ongoing support.
Supported Networking
Userful Solution Servers and Private Cloud Servers typically ship with 10Gb network interfaces added to address more than 12 displays simultaneously. If the system you are selecting does not come with an integrated 10Gb networking solution (that should be supported by the default Userful Linux kernel), then you must ensure that any components you are selecting advertise themselves as either RHEL-certified or compatible with the Linux kernel 4.0 or older.
It is not recommended to use an add-on USB network interface.
Selecting network adapters that require proprietary drivers available for download from the vendor's site is not recommended. These can be unreliable, and there is no guarantee of ongoing support.
Wireless network adapters for communicating with zero clients or uClients are not supported.
Hardware Support Policy
Userful has the following three types of systems:
Userful Purchased: This hardware comes with full support and the expectation of complete functionality.
Userful Certified hardware: It is similar to Userful-purchased hardware but is sourced externally and configured by the partner or end customer. System specifications should be shared with Userful and vetted by a Userful sales engineer before purchase. There is a small risk of installation or BIOS incompatibility issues that all parties must be aware of and budget time for during setup.
Userful maintains a tiered policy of support for production hardware. Specifications of which are as follows:
Hardware Support Tier | Support |
Userful Purchased | Full |
Userful Certified | Full |
Userful Reviewed | No hardware support Limited software support |
Non-Approved | None |
To receive support, systems must pass the following criteria:
Ensure that complete system specifications are shared with and approved by a Userful sales engineer.
The partner or customer must purchase vendor or OEM support.
Check if Userful cannot reproduce any issues encountered by testing internally on certified hardware. Support for a specific question will stop.
In the event of repeated error number #3 occurrences, Userful reserves the right to terminate support for the system in favor of replacement with a certified system.
The partner understands that assistance in installing the software or navigating the BIOS/EFI to install the software is not supported by Userful beyond generic guidelines.
Non-approved systems are not subject to support. Userful does not support any hardware configuration that does not conform to the abovementioned conditions.
Client Selection
Userful has certified a growing list of devices to serve as clients for on-premise deployments. They fall into two categories:
uClients uClient devices are intelligent devices with functional operating systems. These are commercial platforms that are compatible with Userful’s uClient software application. Examples include LG WebOS 4.0, uClient adapters, and Samsung SSSP 6+. Except for the Userful uClient adapter, uClient platforms can be sourced through standard channels.
Zero Clients These lightweight, inexpensive devices can connect to any display via HDMI. Zero clients are only available through Userful, as they use a proprietary ASIC architecture that is not widely available.
Beginning with version 12.7, the Userful Infinity Platform no longer supports Zero Clients as an end-point. Please use a uClient device.
Choosing the Right Client
Some of the important factors to consider while selecting an endpoint are as follows:
Userful uClient Adapter | WebOS uClient | Userful Zero Client | |
Operating System | Android 7 | LG WebOS | None |
Max Resolution | 4k @ 60FPS | Per Device (up to 4K @ 60FPS) | 1080p @ 60FPS |
Streaming Protocol | RTSP | RTSP | JPEG |
Bandwidth Used /device | Varies (6-40Mbps) | Varies (6-40Mbps) | 100Mbps |
Max Latency Tolerance | n/a | n/a | 0.5ms |
Power over Ethernet | No | n/a | Available solutions |
Cross Subnet Capability | Yes | Yes | No |
Distance from server | Anywhere | Anywhere | Same Premises |
Cloud deployments | Yes | Yes | No |
Purchasing and Support | Userful | OEM | Userful |
Along with the points mentioned above, additional advantages of each client are as follows:
uClient devices from LG or Samsung: These devices do not require extra hardware installed at the panel. It only requires network runs and software application installation. This simplifies the physical installation.
Userful-supplied devices: These work with almost any display available, including odd aspect ratios and resolutions. They are famous for connecting to existing displays and systems with non-standard resolutions or aspect ratios, such as DV-LED deployments.
Userful Zero Clients: They do not have any software configuration or store information locally. Thus, it cannot be compromised. This makes it popular for secure environments. However, Userful Zero clients have a limited maximum resolution and cannot be installed outside the physical premise (the building or small campus) as their host server.
Licensing
Licensing for Userful Infinity Applications is determined by the architecture and network topology of the company. To determine which license best meets your needs, contact Userful Support or a Userful Sales Engineer.
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