Non-persistent VDI monitoring configuration

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Non-persistent VDI monitoring configuration

    ServiceNow’s Digital End-User Experience (DEX) enables organizations to monitor non-persistent Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDIs), which provide users with a fresh desktop environment at each login. This monitoring is crucial for environments needing standardized, secure desktops—such as healthcare, education, or customer support—by tracking performance issues and aiding troubleshooting of device and application behavior.

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    When a non-persistent VDI is first initialized, it registers and downloads a certificate from the ServiceNow cloud, which is then saved to persistent storage for reuse. During active sessions, the Agent Client Collector (ACC) gathers performance and usage data continuously. Before logoff, residual metrics are pushed to ServiceNow to prevent data loss, and at the next logon, the certificate is restored locally from persistent storage to avoid repeated downloads. This approach reduces load on ServiceNow and ensures efficient operation. Note that DEX currently supports monitoring non-persistent VDIs on VMware only, excluding multi-user sessions.

    Key benefits

    • Enhanced user experience: Detect and analyze issues such as slow login, crashes, or slow application/device performance, even after desktop sessions end.
    • Efficient troubleshooting: Use detailed device and application metrics to accurately diagnose and resolve employee-reported problems, reducing uncertainty.

    Configuration workflow

    To enable monitoring on a non-persistent VDI pool, perform these tasks on a reference device used for the golden image:

    • Install Agent Client Collector: Use the MID-less installation method on the reference device, configure non-persistent mode in acc.yml, and verify host data and policy synchronization.
    • Enable DEX browser extension: Install this extension on the reference device to monitor web applications effectively.
    • Prepare the reference device: Clean the device by removing registration certificates, agent identifiers, cached databases, and logs. Update acc.yml so each VDI clone registers with a unique identity.
    • Manage logon and logoff scripts: After sealing the reference device as the golden image and configuring the VDI pool, place logon/logoff scripts in your VDI management tool. Update authentication steps to connect with your persistent storage, supporting certificate restoration.

    For detailed policy references related to non-persistent VDIs, consult the Non-persistent VDI parameters, scripts, and settings documentation.

    Monitor non-persistent Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDIs) with Digital End-User Experience (DEX) so your organization can track performance issues and troubleshoot device and application performance.

    Non-persistent VDIs provide end users with a fresh desktop environment each time they log in. VDIs are a common choice for organizations requiring standardized and secure desktops, such as those in healthcare, education, or customer support.

    When a VDI is initialized for the first time, it completes the standard registration process and downloads a certificate from the ServiceNow cloud. The certificate is then backed up to your persistent storage for future sessions.

    During subsequent active sessions, the Agent Client Collector (ACC) continuously collects performance and usage data. Before a session ends, the logoff script pushes any residual metrics to the ServiceNow instance, helping avoid data loss. In subsequent sessions, the logon script restores the certificate from your persistent storage, enabling local authentication and eliminating the need to download certificates again. This process minimizes the load on the ServiceNow instance and supports efficient operation.

    Note:
    DEX supports monitoring non-persistent VDIs on VMware. Multi-user sessions aren't supported.

    Benefits of monitoring non-persistent VDIs

    Monitoring non-persistent VDIs with Digital End-User Experience provides the following benefits:

    Enhanced user experience
    You can identify performance issues such as slow logging in, crashes, or sluggish application and device performance, even after the desktop session ends.
    Efficient troubleshooting
    You can analyze device and application metrics data to pinpoint issues reported by employees, reducing guesswork in problem resolution.

    Configuration workflow

    To enable monitoring on a non-persistent VDI pool, complete the following tasks on a reference device used to create the golden image.

    1. Install Agent Client Collector on a non-persistent VDI reference device. Install Agent Client Collector on the reference device using the MID-less installation method, configure non-persistent mode in acc.yml, and verify host data and policy synchronization.
    2. Enable DEX browser extension. Install the DEX browser extension on the reference device for monitoring web applications.
    3. Prepare non-persistent VDI reference device. Remove the registration certificate, agent identifier, cached databases, and logs from the reference device, and update acc.yml so that each duplicate VDI registers with a unique identity.
    4. Manage logon and logoff scripts for non-persistent VDIs. After you seal the reference device as the golden image and configure your VDI pool to use it, place the logon and logoff scripts in your VDI management tool and update the authentication steps to connect to your persistent storage.

    For policy reference content for non-persistent VDIs, see Non-persistent VDI parameters, scripts, and settings.