HDX MediaStream for Flash - Client-Side Content Fetching Limitations

Description

This article describes known limitations with HDX MediaStream for Flash Client-Side Content Fetching when accessing Flash content that requires integrated Windows authentication.

Background

HDX MediaStream for Flash allows you to move the fetching and processing of Adobe Flash Player content to user devices rather than using network server resources. This scenario results in a high-definition experience when using Windows Internet Explorer to access Flash content, including animations, videos, and applications. By moving the processing to the user device, HDX MediaStream for Flash reduces server and network load, resulting in greater scalability.

HDX MediaStream for Flash is a powerful feature. However, HDX MediaStream is not compatible with all network environments. The following section lists known limitations with Client-Side Content Fetching.

Resolution

Known Limitations

McAfee SmartFilter

Symptom

When using HDX MediaStream for Flash in an environment where the endpoint’s Web browser is subjected to Web filtering using McAfee SmartFilter, users might experience a blank area where the Flash content should be rendered. This behavior has been observed when SmartFilter is configured to apply policies based on a user’s group membership. SmartFilter employs a transparent authentication method to determine the requesting user’s credentials so that it can apply the SmartFilter policy to the filtered content type (in this case, flash content).

Cause

Because of a limitation in the way HDX MediaStream for Flash remotes the active content from the server or Virtual Desktop Agent to the endpoint, it is unable to pass the user’s credentials to the SmartFilter server, which causes the SmartFilter to block the requested content as a default failure behavior.

Workaround

Use Server-Side Content Fetching for HDX MediaStream for Flash (for instructions, see CTX126529 ‑ How to Enable Server-Side Content Fetching in HDX MediaStream for Flash. Server-Side Content Fetching allows the entire browser session to be handled by the server or Virtual Desktop Agent (VDA), yet still performs the media rendering on the client side.

CA SiteMinder

Symptom

When using CA SiteMinder Web management and authentication with HDX MediaStream for Flash client-side content fetching, users might receive a white screen where Flash content is expected.

Cause

Although the root cause is still under investigation, the issue is related to the way the user’s credentials are being handled.

Workaround

Use Server-Side Content Fetching for HDX MediaStream for Flash (for instructions, see CTX126529 ‑ How to Enable Server-Side Content Fetching in HDX MediaStream for Flash. Server-Side Content Fetching allows the entire browser session to be handled by the server or VDA, yet still performs the media rendering on the client side.

Issue/Introduction

This article describes known limitations with HDX MediaStream for Flash Client-Side Content Fetching when accessing Flash content that requires integrated Windows authentication.