Pano Manager is the central component of the Pano System architecture and handles the following:
Pano Manager is continually discovering and controlling Pano Devices to ensure users can always access their virtual desktops. Once a Pano Device is discovered on the network, Pano Manager tells the Pano Device to display a login screen. When users enter their Windows credentials, Pano Manager authenticates them and connects them to their assigned virtual machine. If the user's virtual desktop happens to be powered off, Pano Manager can automatically start it and connect the user once the it is ready. From then on, the Pano Direct Service running in the virtual desktop connects directly to the Pano Device, efficiently delivering much the same Windows experience users get from a physical desktop PC.
Pano Manager ensures a secure and reliable logon process by integrating tightly with directory services such as Microsoft Active Directory. Rather than maintain a separate database of users that might get out of sync, Pano queries the directory service directly for each logon attempt. IT administrators only need to perform user account management in one place: Active Directory. Pano Manager can even determine which pool of virtual desktops should be assigned to a user based on the user's group membership in Active Directory.
Pano Manager optionally integrates with VMware's vCenter Server (formerly VirtualCenter) to provide enhanced desktop virtual machine management and provisioning capabilities. And it can work with VMware View Manager if needed - more information is available in the Solution Brief on Using VMware View with the Pano System.
Pano Manager itself runs as a self-contained VMware virtual machine on one of your data center servers simplifying deployment and further improving hardware utilization.
