Research and Engineering Studio on AWS 2025.03 Now Live

Posted on: Mar 20, 2025

Today we’re excited to announce the launch of Research and Engineering Studio (RES) on AWS Version 2025.03. This recent update offers a variety of enhancements aimed at improving efficiency and simplifying management for users. Whether you’re a researcher, developer, or administrator, understanding these new features will be crucial in maximizing your cloud experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the features of RES 2025.03, focusing on the new RES cost dashboard, custom instance lists by software stack, extended hibernation support for Linux virtual desktops, and the new capabilities for launching Windows 10 and 11 virtual desktops. Additionally, we will provide insights into the technical aspects of these features, how they impact your projects, and best practices for optimizing their use.

What is the Research and Engineering Studio on AWS?¶

Overview of RES¶

Research and Engineering Studio is a platform designed to facilitate the use of cloud resources for research and engineering workloads. It provides a streamlined way to manage virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), allowing teams to focus on innovation. The 2025.03 version is a critical update that aims to enhance user experience and remove many barriers to effective cloud computing.

Key Features in RES 2025.03¶

RES Cost Dashboard
Custom Instance Lists by Software Stack
Extended Hibernation Support
Support for Windows 10 and 11 Virtual Desktops
Streamlined Software Stack Creation

In the following sections, we will explore these features in detail, discussing their importance and how you can leverage them effectively.

Understanding the RES Cost Dashboard¶

What is the RES Cost Dashboard?¶

The RES cost dashboard is a significant addition to the Research and Engineering Studio platform. This feature provides administrators with an overview of the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure costs at a project level, allowing them to track budget progress and historical spending.

Key Components of the Dashboard¶

Project-Level Insights: Gain a detailed view of each project’s budget and spending patterns.
Historical Data Tracks: Access historical spending records to foresee future budget requirements.
User-Friendly Interface: Designed for easy navigation to help administrators make quick decisions.

How to Utilize the RES Cost Dashboard¶

To fully benefit from the cost dashboard:

Regular Monitoring: Check the cost dashboard frequently to stay informed about your projects’ budgets.
Identify Cost Drivers: Look for trends in spending that could indicate inefficiencies.
Adjust Project Budgets: Use the insights gathered to adjust future budgeting and resource allocation.

Impact of the Cost Dashboard on Project Management¶

By using the RES cost dashboard, project managers can make data-driven decisions that optimize resource usage, reduce costs, and enhance overall project performance.

Custom Instance Lists by Software Stack¶

Customization in Instance Management¶

One of the most notable features of RES 2025.03 is the ability to customize instance lists based on specific software stacks. This enhancement allows administrators to refine which instance types are available at an environment level and limit them for individual projects.

Benefits of Custom Instance Lists¶

Enhanced Control: Administrators can finely tune the available instance types according to the specific needs of a project.
Improved Licensing Compliance: By restricting instance types, organizations can meet licensing requirements more effectively.
Resource Optimization: Focus on using the most suitable instance types helps in optimizing performance and cost.

Setting Up Custom Instance Lists¶

Access the Admin Panel: Navigate to the environment settings within the RES.
Create Software Stack: Assign any subset of allowable instances to software stacks, refining the options for individual project use.
Project Assignment: Link these software stacks to specific projects to streamline management.

Best Practices for Utilizing Custom Instance Lists¶

Review Software Requirements: Before assigning instance types, ensure they meet the software requirements for the project’s success.
Collaborate with Teams: Discuss with project managers and developers to understand their needs.
Regularly Update Stack Assignments: Stay current with technology and update instance types as needed.

Extended Hibernation Support for Virtual Desktops¶

What is Hibernation Support?¶

Hibernation support allows users to pause virtual machines (VMs) while preserving their state, enabling quick restart without losing any data or processes. This feature is critical for effectively managing resources and costs.

What’s New in RES 2025.03?¶

The recent updates extend hibernation support to all supported Linux distributions, enhancing flexibility for developers and researchers who rely on different OS environments.

Advantages of Extended Hibernation Support¶

Cost Efficiency: Hibernation saves costs by shutting down resources when they are not in active use.
Time Savings: Quick resumption of work without the need to restart from scratch enhances productivity.
Resource Management: Reducing the active power consumption of virtual desktops aids resource conservation.

Using the Hibernation Feature¶

To enable hibernation support:

Set Hibernation Parameters: Within your project settings, activate and configure hibernation.
Test the Process: Ensure that your applications and services can resume correctly after hibernation.
Train Staff: Educate users on how to efficiently use the hibernation feature.

Future of Hibernation Support in RES¶

With ongoing improvements, hibernation support in RES will likely become more sophisticated, including better integration with automated scaling and cost management tools.

Support for Windows 10 and 11 Virtual Desktops¶

Transition to Windows 10 and 11¶

RES 2025.03 now includes support for launching virtual desktops running Windows 10 and 11. This addition recognizes the growing demand for contemporary operating systems in research and engineering environments.

Importance of Supporting Latest OS Versions¶

Compatibility: Many modern applications are designed for the latest OS, ensuring functionality and performance.
User Experience: Enhancing the user interface and experience aids user satisfaction and productivity.
Security Enhancements: Latest operating systems come with improved security features, which are crucial for protecting sensitive data.

Setting Up Windows Virtual Desktops¶

To create a Windows 10 or 11 VDI:

Choose Appropriate Software Stack: Select the stack that supports Windows 10 or 11.
Configure Resources: Allocate enough resources to support the chosen Windows environment effectively.
Test Performance: Run performance checks to ensure the system operates as expected.

Pros and Cons of Using Windows 10 and 11 on RES¶

Streamlined Software Stack Creation¶

Features of the New Software Stack Creation Tool¶

The ability to create software stacks from a running session has returned in RES 2025.03. This feature provides an alternative method for users to create custom software stacks and images without relying exclusively on the EC2 Image Builder.

Advantages of Streamlined Creation¶

Quick Turnaround: Create custom software environments faster, reducing setup time.
Flexibility: Adapt software stacks to meet changing project needs without starting from scratch.
Reduced Complexity: Simplifies the process of managing multiple software configurations.

Steps for Creating Software Stacks from Running Sessions¶

Access Running Sessions: Identify the current running sessions you wish to convert into a software stack.
Initiate Creation Process: Use the RES interface to start creating a new software stack based on the current session.
Validate and Deploy: Test the created software stack to ensure all necessary applications and configurations are included.

Best Practices for Software Stack Management¶

Document Configurations: Keep thorough documentation of your software stack configurations for future reference.
Perform Regular Updates: Ensure that stacks are kept up to date with the latest patches and updates.
User Feedback: Collect feedback from users to refine and improve stacks.

Conclusion¶

The launch of Research and Engineering Studio on AWS Version 2025.03 marks a significant step forward in managing and optimizing virtual desktop infrastructure for researchers and engineers. From the robust new cost dashboard to increased hibernation support, these features promise to enhance resource management and project oversight.

In this guide, we’ve covered the major features of RES 2025.03 and provided actionable insights on how to leverage these enhancements effectively. By adopting good practices and closely monitoring the cost dashboard and instance usage, organizations can fully harness the power of AWS RES to meet their research and engineering needs.

For more information on setting up and optimizing your use of the Research and Engineering Studio on AWS Version 2025.03, please visit the regional availability page and check out the additional release notes on GitHub.

Focus Keyphrase: Research and Engineering Studio on AWS 2025.03

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