Introduction
Amazon AppStream 2.0, a fully managed application streaming service, has recently introduced support for 4K resolution. This enhancement promises a significant upgrade for users who require high-definition visuals for their applications. But why is 4K resolution a pivotal addition to AppStream, and how can you deploy it using CloudFormation? Let's explore.
Why we need 4K resolution?
For the Professionals: Think of graphic designers working on intricate artwork, video editors piecing together 4K footage, architects visualizing detailed structures, or medical professionals analyzing high-res medical images.If they want to stream those applications using AppStream, 4K support is quite important.
Sharper, Clearer, More Detailed: With 4096 x 2160 pixels, 4K offers four times the pixel density of Full HD. This means applications on AppStream will now look crisper.
Elevated User Experience: Even for normal users, With 4K , Texts are sharper, icons pop out, and visuals are just a treat to the eyes. It's all about offering an unmatched user experience.
Lets stream your application in 4K
Before you jump into the 4K bandwagon, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Must use AppStream Client: Make sure you're using the latest AppStream Windows client.Go to this link to download Appstream Client
- Choose the Graphic Instances: 4K is gorgeous but demands its fair share of resources. Opt for
on-demandoralways-ongraphic instances to ensure smooth streaming.You cannot use AppStreamelasticfleet(No server-less unfortunately)
Quick guide to deploy:
1) First you need to create an Image Builder.This is a required step to create a Custom image which includes your application and configurations.
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: '2010-09-09'
Description: AppStream 2.0 Custom Image Builder
Parameters:
InstanceType:
Type: String
Default: stream.graphics-design.xlarge
ImageBuilderName:
Type: String
Default: 4KImageBuilder
VpcId:
Type: AWS::EC2::VPC::Id
Subnet1Id:
Type: AWS::EC2::Subnet::Id
Resources:
AppStreamImageBuilder:
Type: 'AWS::AppStream::ImageBuilder'
Properties:
Name: !Ref ImageBuilderName
InstanceType: !Ref InstanceType
ImageArn: !Sub arn:aws:appstream:${AWS::Region}::image/AppStream-Graphics-Design-WinServer2019-06-12-2023
IamRoleArn: !GetAtt AppStreamIAMRole.Arn
EnableDefaultInternetAccess: false
DisplayName: 4K image builder
Description: 4K image builder
VpcConfig:
SecurityGroupIds:
- !Ref AppStreamSecurityGroup
SubnetIds:
- !Ref Subnet1Id
AppStreamSecurityGroup:
Type: AWS::EC2::SecurityGroup
Properties:
GroupDescription: AppStream Security Group
SecurityGroupIngress:
- IpProtocol: -1
CidrIp: 10.0.0.0/8
VpcId: !Ref VpcId
Tags:
- Key: Name
Value: !Sub "${AWS::StackName}-SecurityGroup"
AppStreamIAMRole:
Type: AWS::IAM::Role
Properties:
AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
Version: "2012-10-17"
Statement:
- Effect: Allow
Principal:
Service: appstream.amazonaws.com
Action: sts:AssumeRole
ManagedPolicyArns:
- arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/service-role/AmazonAppStreamServiceAccess
Policies:
- PolicyName: AppStreamIAMPolicy
PolicyDocument:
Version: "2012-10-17"
Statement:
- Effect: Allow
Action: s3:*
Resource:
- "arn:aws:s3:::appstream*/*"
This template will create the image builder.
2)Connect to AppStream Image Builder instance and install and configure the application.
More info: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appstream2/latest/developerguide/managing-image-builders-connect.html
3) Using Image Assistant, create an Appstream Image called 4k-appstream-app which is used to define Appstream fleet in next step. You may replace variables according to your application in following script and run it script inside the Image builder to create the image.
##*===============================================
##* APPSTREAM VARIABLE DECLARATION
##*===============================================
[string]$AppName = '4k-appstream-app'
[string]$AppPath = 'C:\4k-appstream-app\4k-appstream-app.exe'
[string]$AppDisplayName = '4k-appstream-app'
[string]$AppParameters = ''
[string]$AppWorkingDir = ''
[string]$AppIconPath = ''
[string]$ManifestPath = "C:\Users\ImageBuilderAdmin\Documents\optimization_manifest.txt"
[string]$ImageAssistantPath = "C:\Program Files\Amazon\Photon\ConsoleImageBuilder\image-assistant.exe"
##*===============================================
##* ADD APPLICATION TO APPSTREAM CATALOG
##*===============================================
#AppStream's Image Assistant Required Parameters
$Params = " --name " + $AppName + " --absolute-app-path """ + $AppPath + """"
#AppStream's Image Assistant Optional Parameters
if ($AppDisplayName) { $Params += " --display-name """ + $AppDisplayName + """" }
if ($AppWorkingDir) { $Params += " --working-directory """ + $AppWorkingDir + """" }
if ($AppIconPath) { $Params += " --absolute-icon-path """ + $AppIconPath + """" }
if ($AppParameters) { $Params += " --launch-parameters """ + $AppParameters + """" }
if ($ManifestPath) { $Params += " --absolute-manifest-path """ + $ManifestPath + """" }
#Escape spaces in EXE path
$ImageAssistantPath = $ImageAssistantPath -replace ' ','` '
#Assemble Image Assistant API command to add applications
$AddAppCMD = $ImageAssistantPath + ' add-application' + $Params
Write-Host "Adding $AppDisplayName to AppStream Image Catalog using command $AddAppCMD"
#Run Image Assistant command and parameters
$AddApp = Invoke-Expression $AddAppCMD | ConvertFrom-Json
if ($AddApp.status -eq 0) {
Write-Host "SUCCESS adding $AppName to the AppStream catalog."
} else {
Write-Host "ERROR adding $AppName to the AppStream catalog."
Write-Host $AddApp.message
}
#AppStream's Image Assistant Required Parameters
$Params = " --name " + $AppName + " --display-name """ + $AppName + """"
#Assemble Image Assistant API command to add applications
$CreateImgCMD = $ImageAssistantPath + ' create-image' + $Params
Write-Host "Creating image $AppName using command $CreateImgCMD"
#Run Image Assistant command and parameters
$createImg = Invoke-Expression $CreateImgCMD | ConvertFrom-Json
if ($createImg.status -eq 0) {
Write-Host "SUCCESS creating image $AppName"
} else {
Write-Host "ERROR creating image $AppName"
Write-Host $createImg.message
}
Once you run the script successfully you will notice image created 4k-appstream-app under Appstream images.
4) Deploy AppStream fleet and Stack using Cloudformation template
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: 2010-09-09
Description: "Provision AppStream 2.0 Fleet and Stack"
Parameters:
FleetName:
Type: String
FleetInstanceType:
Type: String
Default: stream.graphics-design.large
StackName:
Type: String
SecurityGroupId:
Type: String
Default: ""
VpcId:
Type: String
Subnet1Id:
Type: String
Subnet2Id:
Type: String
FileUploadPermission:
Type: String
FileDownloadPermission:
Type: String
ClipboardCopyToLocalDevice:
Type: String
ClipboardCopyFromLocalDevice:
Type: String
PrintingToLocalDevice:
Type: String
Conditions:
SecurityGroupIdNotGiven: !Equals [!Ref SecurityGroupId, ""]
Resources:
4KAppStreamFleet:
Type: AWS::AppStream::Fleet
Properties:
Name: !Ref FleetName
ComputeCapacity:
DesiredInstances: 1
InstanceType: !Ref FleetInstanceType
# replace the Image Arn of previously created Image
ImageArn: !Sub arn:aws:appstream:${AWS::Region}:${AWS::AccountId}:image/4k-appstream
FleetType: "ON_DEMAND"
VpcConfig:
SecurityGroupIds:
- !If [
SecurityGroupIdNotGiven,
!Ref AppStreamSecurityGroup,
!Ref SecurityGroupId,
]
SubnetIds:
- !Ref Subnet1Id
- !Ref Subnet2Id
EnableDefaultInternetAccess: False
MaxUserDurationInSeconds: "57600"
DisconnectTimeoutInSeconds: "900"
IdleDisconnectTimeoutInSeconds: "900"
StreamView: APP
CreationPolicy:
StartFleet: True
AppStreamSecurityGroup:
Type: AWS::EC2::SecurityGroup
Properties:
GroupDescription: AppStream Security Group
SecurityGroupIngress:
- IpProtocol: -1
CidrIp: 10.0.0.0/8
VpcId: !Ref VpcId
Tags:
- Key: Name
Value: !Sub "${AWS::StackName}-SecurityGroup"
# Create AppStream Stack
AppStreamStack:
Type: AWS::AppStream::Stack
Properties:
Name: !Ref StackName
Description: This demo stack was created using CloudFormation
ApplicationSettings:
Enabled: false
UserSettings:
- Action: CLIPBOARD_COPY_TO_LOCAL_DEVICE
Permission: !Ref ClipboardCopyToLocalDevice
- Action: FILE_DOWNLOAD
Permission: !Ref FileDownloadPermission
- Action: FILE_UPLOAD
Permission: !Ref FileUploadPermission
- Action: CLIPBOARD_COPY_FROM_LOCAL_DEVICE
Permission: !Ref ClipboardCopyFromLocalDevice
- Action: PRINTING_TO_LOCAL_DEVICE
Permission: !Ref PrintingToLocalDevice
# Create Association between fleet and stack
4KAppStreamDemoStackFleetAssociation:
Type: AWS::AppStream::StackFleetAssociation
Properties:
FleetName: !Ref 4KAppStreamFleet
StackName: !Ref AppStreamStack
6) Launch Appstream URL using AppStream Windows client
You have to base64 encode the AppStream url and add amazonappstream: so you can launch the application from Browser using AppStream client.You may use code similar to following to covert your AppStream url, so that it will launch the AppStream session through AppStream Client.
function stringToBase64WithPrefix(appstreamUrl: string): string {
const base64Encoded=Buffer.from(appstreamUrl).toString('base64');
return `amazonappstream:${base64Encoded}`
}
Once you launch your AppStream session using Appstream URL, you should be able to see the option in AppStream menu to change the resolution to 4K.
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