WorkSpace On-Demand 2.0 Feature for Windows ... - IBM Redbooks

The functions that are required to support the Windows client can be
separated into the following three areas:
1. Desktop Profile Management
Each user has a desktop profile that defines the user’s desktop
information. This information is stored and handled separately. A user can
have two profiles defined, one for Windows 9x and another for Windows
NT 4.0.
2. Users Application Profile
Data has to be stored that describes which application has been assigned
to which user. Files are used to store the application assignments.
3. Management
The information associated with the users desktop and application
information has to have a management interface for it to be viewed or
updated.
2.5.1 Building the desktop
Windows 95/98 and Windows NT platforms use a combination of Windows
User Profiles and system policy files to control the desktop appearance and
core systems functionality. The combination of these files deliver the
restricted desktop that is part of the Feature for Windows Clients. When a
user logs on his or her desktop, the appearance of the desktop and the
functions are made up of a combination of the desktop assigned to the user
as well as the system policy file. This is graphically described in Figure 11.
Figure 11. User’s desktop creation
2.5.1.1 The user profile
Windows NT and Windows 9x maintain a desktop and shell environment for
each user. This is sometimes collectively referred to as a user profile, not to
be confused with an OS/2 Warp Server User Profile. This user profile
contains information about a user’s environment and preferences so that
each time he or she logs on a consistent interface is presented.
44 WorkSpace On-Demand 2.0 Feature for Windows Clients
user’s desktop assignment
+ system policy file
= User’s Desktop