fast user switching info limitations vista

I know Fast User Switching (FUS) will be available for domain joined machines in Vista. Where can I find more information on this capability such as: * # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations? * Group policy control - does it get loaded when a user reloads a suspended session? * Will it support Strong Authentication (e.g. smartcards, etc.)? * Are there inactivity timeouts that will result in a users session automatically being suspended? * If a user locks a Vista device setup for fast user switching will any user be able to unlock the machine or only the same user (or Admin)?

Hey, I'll try and answer here what I can :o)

Vista. Where can I find more information on this capability such as: * # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations?

If you mean suspended session as in, the user switches user with someone else and therefore the original user is suspended, they can just resume as they wish as long as they are not logged out by the server (if applicable on a network) or the computer is shut down.

* Group policy control - does it get loaded when a user reloads a suspended session?

Yeh it will.

* Will it support Strong Authentication (e.g. smartcards, etc.)?

Of course :o)

* Are there inactivity timeouts that will result in a users session automatically being suspended?

You can set this in Group Policy as you did with Windows XP.

* If a user locks a Vista device setup for fast user switching will any user be able to unlock the machine or only the same user (or Admin)?

OK, I don't think this quite makes sense. If a user locks the machine (pressing Windows key + L) the user logged on will be able to unlock, and an administrator will be able to unlock but automatically logoff that user in the process - exactly as Windows XP does it.
-- Zack Whittaker Microsoft Beta (Windows Server R2 Beta Mentor) » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk » MSBlog on ResDev: http://msblog.resdev.net » ZackNET Forum: www.zacknet.co.uk/forum » VistaBase: www.zacknet.co.uk/vistabase » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not of my employer, best friend, mother or cat. Let's be clear on that one!

Thanks Zack. I have one follow up question regarding your reply:
* # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations?

If you mean suspended session as in, the user switches user with someone else and therefore the original user is suspended, they can just resume as they wish as long as they are not logged out by the server (if applicable on a network) or the computer is shut down.

My Question is: Is there a limit to the number of sessions that can be suspended and resumed? In XP Home edition of Fast User Switching, you could only have up to 5 user sessions. After the 5th, the one used least recently will be logged off. I would like to utilize this feature in a shared workstation environment where this functionality is required, but we have about 15 different users and I need to know if there will be a limit imposed. Thanks!
"Zack Whittaker (R2 Mentor)" wrote:

Hey, I'll try and answer here what I can :o)
Vista. Where can I find more information on this capability such as: * # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations?
If you mean suspended session as in, the user switches user with someone else and therefore the original user is suspended, they can just resume as they wish as long as they are not logged out by the server (if applicable on a network) or the computer is shut down.
* Group policy control - does it get loaded when a user reloads a suspended session?
Yeh it will.
* Will it support Strong Authentication (e.g. smartcards, etc.)?
Of course :o)
* Are there inactivity timeouts that will result in a users session automatically being suspended?
You can set this in Group Policy as you did with Windows XP.
* If a user locks a Vista device setup for fast user switching will any user be able to unlock the machine or only the same user (or Admin)?
OK, I don't think this quite makes sense. If a user locks the machine (pressing Windows key + L) the user logged on will be able to unlock, and an administrator will be able to unlock but automatically logoff that user in the process - exactly as Windows XP does it.
-- Zack Whittaker Microsoft Beta (Windows Server R2 Beta Mentor) » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk » MSBlog on ResDev: http://msblog.resdev.net » ZackNET Forum: www.zacknet.co.uk/forum » VistaBase: www.zacknet.co.uk/vistabase » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not of my employer, best friend, mother or cat. Let's be clear on that one!

Not sure about this, but I imagine it'll probably stay the same to be honest. Only a wild guess mind you.
-- Zack Whittaker Microsoft Beta (Windows Server R2 Beta Mentor) » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk » MSBlog on ResDev: http://msblog.resdev.net » ZackNET Forum: www.zacknet.co.uk/forum » VistaBase: www.zacknet.co.uk/vistabase » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not of my employer, best friend, mother or cat. Let's be clear on that one!
--- Original message follows --- "EdRod" wrote in message

Thanks Zack. I have one follow up question regarding your reply:
* # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations?
If you mean suspended session as in, the user switches user with someone else and therefore the original user is suspended, they can just resume as they wish as long as they are not logged out by the server (if applicable on a network) or the computer is shut down.
My Question is: Is there a limit to the number of sessions that can be suspended and resumed? In XP Home edition of Fast User Switching, you could only have up to 5 user sessions. After the 5th, the one used least recently will be logged off. I would like to utilize this feature in a shared workstation environment where this functionality is required, but we have about 15 different users and I need to know if there will be a limit imposed. Thanks!
"Zack Whittaker (R2 Mentor)" wrote:
Hey, I'll try and answer here what I can :o)
Vista. Where can I find more information on this capability such as: * # of concurrent users that can have a suspended session - what are the limitations?
If you mean suspended session as in, the user switches user with someone else and therefore the original user is suspended, they can just resume as they wish as long as they are not logged out by the server (if applicable on a network) or the computer is shut down.
* Group policy control - does it get loaded when a user reloads a suspended session?
Yeh it will.
* Will it support Strong Authentication (e.g. smartcards, etc.)?
Of course :o)
* Are there inactivity timeouts that will result in a users session automatically being suspended?
You can set this in Group Policy as you did with Windows XP.
* If a user locks a Vista device setup for fast user switching will any user be able to unlock the machine or only the same user (or Admin)?
OK, I don't think this quite makes sense. If a user locks the machine (pressing Windows key + L) the user logged on will be able to unlock, and an administrator will be able to unlock but automatically logoff that user in the process - exactly as Windows XP does it.
-- Zack Whittaker Microsoft Beta (Windows Server R2 Beta Mentor) » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk » MSBlog on ResDev: http://msblog.resdev.net » ZackNET Forum: www.zacknet.co.uk/forum » VistaBase: www.zacknet.co.uk/vistabase » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not of my employer, best friend, mother or cat. Let's be clear on that one!