Chasm Workspaces version 1.17 has been released, introducing several significant new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. The highlight of this release is the availability of autoscaling in the Community Edition, allowing dynamic provisioning and de-provisioning of Linux Docker agents and Windows VMs based on user demand. This version also adds autoscaling support for popular virtualization platforms Proxmox and Nutanix. Other key additions include configurable OWARD (Overlay Warning and Display) banners for displaying notices within user sessions, the launch of the Chasm AI Workspace Registry with preconfigured GPU-enabled environments for AI workflows, and support for smart card passthrough for Windows sessions on Chrome OS devices. The update also includes various performance improvements and bug fixes.
Chasm Workspaces 1.17: Key Features and Enhancements
0:00:05 Chasm Workspaces 1.17 Released: This new version is packed with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes.
Previously an enterprise-only feature, autoscaling is now available for free in the Community Edition.
It dynamically provisions Linux-based Chasm Docker agents and Windows VMs based on real-time user demand.
It can also downscale resources when demand drops, reducing costs and unnecessary resource usage.
0:01:08 Expanded Autoscaling Support for VM Providers:
0:01:15 Proxmox Support: Chasm 1.17 adds autoscaling support for Proxmox. Configuration involves creating a pool and assigning an autoscale config to define settings like standby compute resources.
0:02:00 Nutanix Support: Similar to Proxmox, autoscaling can now be configured for Nutanix environments by creating a pool and assigning an autoscale config.
Users can now configure OWARD (Overlay Warning and Display) banners to display important notices, security warnings, or compliance disclaimers directly inside user sessions.
0:02:42 Configuration: Banners can be customized (name, border/text color, font) and can include dynamic variables (username, image name, zone name).
0:03:16 Assignment: Banners can be assigned to user groups or specific workspaces.
This new registry features preconfigured, GPU-enabled workspaces optimized for AI workflows (development, training, experimentation).
0:04:24 Setup: Requires following a GPU setup guide (NVIDIA drivers, NVIDIA container toolkit) and installing the AI registry.
0:04:45 Example Workspaces: Includes "Easy Diffusion" for image generation, "Anything LLM," and CUDA-enabled environments for Jammy, Noble, PyTorch, and TensorFlow.
0:05:20 Smart Card Passthrough for Windows on Chrome OS:
Introduces support for seamlessly passing smart card data from a Chrome OS device directly into a Windows RDP session running in Chasm.
0:05:36 Use Cases: Beneficial for enterprise users in regulated environments requiring smart card authentication, digital signing, or secure access.
0:05:49 Setup: Requires installing specific Chrome extensions (DriveLock Smart Card Middleware, Smart Card Connector, Chasm Smart Card Bridge) and enabling a group setting in Chasm.