Features of Amazon AppStream 2.0

Using Amazon AppStream 2.0 provides the following advantages:

Access desktop applications securely from any supported device

Your desktop applications can be accessed securely through an HTML5-capable web browser on Windows and Linux PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, iPads, and Android tablets. Or, for supported versions of Windows, the AppStream 2.0 client can be used for application streaming.

Secure applications and data

Applications and data remain on AWS — only encrypted pixels are streamed to users. Applications run on an AppStream 2.0 instance dedicated to each user so that compute resources are not shared. Applications can run inside your own virtual private cloud (VPC), and you can use Amazon VPC security features to control access. This enables you to isolate your applications and deliver them in a secure way.

Consistent, scalable performance

AppStream 2.0 runs on AWS with access to compute capabilities not available on local devices, which means that your applications run with consistently high performance. You can instantly scale locally and globally, and ensure that your users always get a low-latency experience. Unlike on-premises solutions, you can quickly deploy your applications to the AWS region that is closest to your users, and start streaming with no incremental capital investment.

Integrate with your IT environment

Integrate with your existing AWS services and your on-premises environments. By running applications inside your VPCs, your users can access data and other resources that you have in AWS. This reduces the movement of data between AWS and your environment and provides a faster user experience.

Integrate with your existing Microsoft Active Directory environment. This enables you to use existing Active Directory governance, user experience, and security policies with your streaming applications.

Configure identity federation, which allows your users to access their applications using their corporate credentials. You can also allow authenticated access to your IT resources from applications running on AppStream 2.0.

Choose the fleet type that meets your needs

These are the types of fleets:

• Always-On — Streaming instances run all the time, even when no users are streaming applications and desktops. Streaming instances must be provisioned before a user is able to stream. The number of streaming instances provisioned is managed through auto scaling rules. For more information, see Fleet Auto Scaling for Amazon AppStream 2.0.

  When your users choose their application or desktop, they will start streaming instantly. You are charged the running instance fee for all streaming instances, even when no users are streaming.

• On-Demand — Streaming instances run only when users are streaming applications and desktops. Streaming instances not yet assigned to users are in a stopped state. Streaming instances must be provisioned before a user is able to stream. The number of streaming instances provisioned is managed through auto scaling rules. For more information, see Fleet Auto Scaling for Amazon AppStream 2.0.

  When your users choose their application or desktop, they will start streaming after a 1-2 minute wait. You are charged a lower stopped instance fee for streaming instances that are not yet assigned to users, and the running instance fee for streaming instances that are assigned to users.

• Elastic — The pool of streaming instances is managed by AppStream 2.0. When your users select their application or desktop to launch, they will start streaming after the app block has been downloaded and mounted to a streaming instance.

  You are charged the running instance fee for Elastic fleet streaming instances only for the duration of the streaming session, in seconds.

For more information, see Amazon AppStream 2.0 Pricing.