# Hardware Virtual Environments

## Hardware Virtual Environments Introduction

Hardware Virtual Environments let you connect physical devices to the Replica platform. This combines Replica management controls with the realism and performance of external hardware.

You can access a hardware-backed environment over VNC or RDP. Contact your Replica account manager for procurement and setup details.

{% hint style="info" %}
Available features depend on the hardware you use. Contact Replica for details about your specific device and workflow.
{% endhint %}

## Lifecycle

Hardware devices do not provision on demand like virtual environments. Instead, you add devices to a pool first, then assign them as environments when needed.

A device in the pool may have the following statuses:

| Status       | Description                                                                      |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| available    | The device is ready, but is not yet being used as an Environment                 |
| checked\_out | The device is assigned as an Environment                                         |
| stale        | The device was previously used and needs to be reset before it can be used again |

## Configuration

To use hardware environments, first create a device pool and add devices to it. After that, you can assign those devices to users.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Adding a Pool

Hardware pools are implemented as a special type of zone. Create one pool for each device type and location you want to support.

Follow the UI to create a pool:

* Open the Hardware Devices area and select `Create Pool`.
* Enter a `Pool Description` and a `Pool Region` code for the physical location.
* Click `Create New Zone`. The new hardware pool appears in the Zones list.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Adding Devices to a Pool

After you create a pool, add devices to it:

* Open the pool details (View Pool).
* Click `Create Device` to add a new device.
* On the New Device page, enter the VNC or RDP connection details on the VDI tab. Leave non-applicable fields blank.
* Provide credentials on the next page and click `Submit` to create the device.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Assigning a Device

To create an environment from a device and assign it to a user or group:

* In the device list, locate the device you want to assign.
* Click the `Use as Environment` button for that device.
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}


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