[doc] use "Looking Glass Server" instead of "producer"

I think "server" and different "implementations" of it makes it a lot clearer
to readers that it's a swappable thing that can serve multiple clients without
being too much jargon.
This commit is contained in:
Quantum
2026-08-12 02:48:58 -04:00
committed by Geoffrey McRae
parent 13b6e04256
commit 6dd1092ca3
14 changed files with 54 additions and 40 deletions

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@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ Legacy Host Application build
.. warning:: .. warning::
The Host Application is a legacy frame producer. New installations should The Host Application is a legacy server application. New installations should
use the prebuilt :doc:`Looking Glass IDD <install_idd>`. These build use the prebuilt :doc:`Looking Glass IDD <install_idd>`. These build
instructions are retained for the complete matching B7 stack described in instructions are retained for the complete matching B7 stack described in
:ref:`legacy_host_policy`. :ref:`legacy_host_policy`.

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@@ -72,9 +72,8 @@ Which application runs on Linux?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Looking Glass Client runs on the Linux host operating system. The IDD runs The Looking Glass Client runs on the Linux host operating system. The IDD runs
inside the Windows guest. The older product named the **Host Application** is inside the Windows guest. The older product named the **Host Application** is a
a legacy Windows producer; “Host” in that name does not mean the Linux host legacy Windows server; “Host” in that name does not mean the Linux host OS.
OS.
Input and window system Input and window system
----------------------- -----------------------

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@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ the new default refresh rate.
The client option ``win:setGuestRes`` enables automatic dynamic resolution The client option ``win:setGuestRes`` enables automatic dynamic resolution
requests when the client window changes size. The default is enabled when the requests when the client window changes size. The default is enabled when the
producer supports it. Press the client's escape key together with ``=`` to server in the guest supports it. Press the client's escape key together with
request the current window resolution manually. ``=`` to request the current window resolution manually.
Preferences Preferences
----------- -----------

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@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ installed. Follow the pages below in order for a new setup:
Configure the VM and shared memory, install the IDD in Windows, then install Configure the VM and shared memory, install the IDD in Windows, then install
the Linux client. The legacy Host page is an alternative for old workflows; the Linux client. The legacy Host page is an alternative for old workflows;
do not install both Windows producers. do not install both Windows servers.
.. toctree:: .. toctree::

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@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ Client Application Installation
For Linux For Linux
--------- ---------
The Looking Glass Client receives frames from the Windows producer and displays The Looking Glass Client receives frames from an implementation of the Looking
them on Linux. It also handles input, audio, overlays and optional SPICE Glass Server on Windows and displays them on Linux. It also handles input,
services. audio, overlays and optional SPICE services.
There are currently no Linux distribution packages for the client. First There are currently no Linux distribution packages for the client. First
:ref:`build it from source <build_client_section>`, then run the following from :ref:`build it from source <build_client_section>`, then run the following from

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@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@ Legacy Host Application installation
.. warning:: .. warning::
The Host Application is a legacy frame producer. New installations should The Host Application is the legacy implementation of the Looking Glass
use the :doc:`Looking Glass IDD <install_idd>`. Server. New installations should use the :doc:`Looking Glass IDD
<install_idd>`.
B7 is the last recommended release when non-capture mouse input through the B7 is the last recommended release when non-capture mouse input through the
Host Application is required. Use the matching B7 client and documentation Host Application is required. Use the matching B7 client and documentation

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@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@ Looking Glass IDD
.. _install_idd: .. _install_idd:
The Looking Glass IDD is the recommended Windows frame producer. Download the The Looking Glass IDD is the recommended Looking Glass server implementation for
``looking-glass-idd-setup.exe`` installer that matches the client release, run Windows guests. Download the ``looking-glass-idd-setup.exe`` installer that
it as an administrator inside the Windows guest and follow the installer. matches the client release, run it as an administrator inside the Windows guest
and follow the installer.
The installer includes the display driver, direct input driver and IDD helper. The installer includes the display driver, direct input driver and IDD helper.
It can also install the IVSHMEM driver. If the legacy Host service is present, It can also install the IVSHMEM driver. If the legacy Host service is present,
allow the installer to disable it so that only one Looking Glass producer is allow the installer to disable it so that only one Looking Glass server is
active. active.
The display may briefly disappear while Windows installs or reloads the The display may briefly disappear while Windows installs or reloads the
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ Install
3. Select **IVSHMEM Driver** if a suitable IVSHMEM driver is not already 3. Select **IVSHMEM Driver** if a suitable IVSHMEM driver is not already
installed in the guest. installed in the guest.
4. Leave **Indirect Display Driver (IDD)** selected. 4. Leave **Indirect Display Driver (IDD)** selected.
5. If offered, leave **Disable old host app** selected. Running two producers 5. If offered, leave **Disable old host app** selected. Running two servers
against the same shared-memory device is not supported. against the same shared-memory device is not supported.
6. Complete the installation and restart Windows if requested. 6. Complete the installation and restart Windows if requested.

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@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ Frame rate and multiple clients
An active OBS source requests the global frame rate configured under **OBS An active OBS source requests the global frame rate configured under **OBS
Settings > Video**. There is no separate FPS control in the Looking Glass Settings > Video**. There is no separate FPS control in the Looking Glass
source. The IDD uses the fastest request among all active consumers, so a 120 source. The IDD uses the fastest request among all active consumers, so a 120
Hz client can raise the producer cadence while OBS records at 60 FPS. Each Hz client can raise the server cadence while OBS records at 60 FPS. Each
consumer still selects the newest frame for its own deadline. consumer still selects the newest frame for its own deadline.
The OBS source releases its cadence request while it is inactive or hidden. The OBS source releases its cadence request while it is inactive or hidden.

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@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ Common options
- Follow guest resolution changes - Follow guest resolution changes
* - ``win:setGuestRes`` * - ``win:setGuestRes``
- ``yes`` - ``yes``
- Ask a supporting producer to follow the client viewport - Ask a supporting server to follow the client viewport
* - ``win:fpsMin`` * - ``win:fpsMin``
- automatic - automatic
- Set the minimum redraw rate; 0 disables it and is not recommended - Set the minimum redraw rate; 0 disables it and is not recommended

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@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ Looking Glass Client
are currently no distribution packages for it, so it must be built from are currently no distribution packages for it, so it must be built from
source before installation. source before installation.
Looking Glass Server
The Windows guest application that generates the video feed for the Looking
Glass client. There are broadly two implementations of the server: the
Looking Glass IDD and the legacy host application.
Looking Glass IDD Looking Glass IDD
The recommended Windows Indirect Display Driver. It creates a virtual The recommended Windows Indirect Display Driver. It creates a virtual
monitor, sends its frames to the client and provides direct keyboard and monitor, sends its frames to the client and provides direct keyboard and
@@ -55,19 +60,19 @@ For a new installation, use:
* the matching Looking Glass IDD in the Windows guest; and * the matching Looking Glass IDD in the Windows guest; and
* SPICE only for the fallback or convenience services you need. * SPICE only for the fallback or convenience services you need.
Use matching Looking Glass releases for the current client, IDD and OBS Use matching Looking Glass releases for the current client, IDD and OBS plugin.
plugin. The shared-memory protocol changes between releases and incompatible The shared-memory protocol changes between releases and incompatible components
components will not connect. Legacy Host users must use the complete matching will not connect. Users of the legacy host application must use the complete
B7 stack described below. matching B7 stack described below.
.. _legacy_host_policy: .. _legacy_host_policy:
Legacy Host Application Legacy Host Application
----------------------- -----------------------
The Host Application is a legacy producer. The IDD is recommended because it The Host Application is the legacy implementation of the Looking Glass server.
does not require a physical monitor or dummy plug and supports current display, The IDD is recommended because it does not require a physical monitor or dummy
input and scheduling features. plug and supports current display, input and scheduling features.
If your workflow specifically requires non-capture mouse input with the Host If your workflow specifically requires non-capture mouse input with the Host
Application, B7 is the last recommended release. Use the matching B7 client, Application, B7 is the last recommended release. Use the matching B7 client,

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@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ The current incomplete bucket is not plotted. This keeps the newest point from
jumping as samples arrive. Each panel also keeps a stable vertical scale with jumping as samples arrive. Each panel also keeps a stable vertical scale with
hysteresis, so read the millisecond axis when comparing panels. hysteresis, so read the millisecond axis when comparing panels.
.. list-table:: Producer and transport stages .. list-table:: Capture and transport stages
:widths: 18 82 :widths: 18 82
:header-rows: 1 :header-rows: 1
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ hysteresis, so read the millisecond axis when comparing panels.
* - **Transport** * - **Transport**
- Inferred publication-to-client delay for a frame matched to a cadence - Inferred publication-to-client delay for a frame matched to a cadence
deadline. It is not an “IVSHMEM copy” measurement and is omitted when deadline. It is not an “IVSHMEM copy” measurement and is omitted when
producer and client timing cannot be matched safely. server and client timing cannot be matched safely.
.. list-table:: Client EGL stages .. list-table:: Client EGL stages
:widths: 18 82 :widths: 18 82
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ hysteresis, so read the millisecond axis when comparing panels.
- Time inside the display-server EGL swap call. It may include blocking - Time inside the display-server EGL swap call. It may include blocking
in EGL or compositor submission, but not later physical scanout. in EGL or compositor submission, but not later physical scanout.
Only guest frames actually consumed by EGL contribute producer samples. Only guest frames actually consumed by EGL contribute server samples.
Superseded frames are not treated as latency samples. The minimum and maximum Superseded frames are not treated as latency samples. The minimum and maximum
for each band are calculated independently, so the top of a minimum or maximum for each band are calculated independently, so the top of a minimum or maximum
stack can combine stages from different frames. Use those panels to locate stack can combine stages from different frames. Use those panels to locate
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Cadence and Hold
---------------- ----------------
The Linux display and Windows guest have independent clocks. Looking Glass The Linux display and Windows guest have independent clocks. Looking Glass
does not subtract their raw timestamps. The producer reports durations, while does not subtract their raw timestamps. The server reports durations, while
periods, generations and deadlines identify a matching cadence event. The periods, generations and deadlines identify a matching cadence event. The
Transport band is left absent when that match is not valid. Transport band is left absent when that match is not valid.
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ the display instead of rounding it to 120 Hz.
Investigate when Hold repeatedly exceeds roughly one guest frame period, or Investigate when Hold repeatedly exceeds roughly one guest frame period, or
when jumps occur with large Post, Copy or Ready spikes. Those patterns can when jumps occur with large Post, Copy or Ready spikes. Those patterns can
indicate producer work or scheduling delays rather than normal phase drift. indicate server work or scheduling delays rather than normal phase drift.
Frame and photon summaries Frame and photon summaries
-------------------------- --------------------------

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@@ -97,7 +97,15 @@ When native HDR is unavailable, the client can map HDR content to SDR.
Legacy Host compatibility Legacy Host compatibility
------------------------- -------------------------
The Windows Host Application is no longer the recommended producer. B7 is the The Windows Host Application is no longer the recommended server implementation.
last recommended version for users who require its non-capture mouse input It is missing many of the features available in the Looking Glass IDD, such as:
workflow. Use the complete matching B7 stack for that workflow rather than
mixing B7 and current components. * Lack of video capture overhead;
* Usage without a monitor or dummy plug connected;
* Automatically resizing the guest to fit the client application viewport;
* HDR support; or
* Usage in virtual machines without GPU acceleration.
B7 is the last recommended version of the legacy host application for users who
require its non-capture mouse input workflow. Use the complete matching B7 stack
for that workflow rather than mixing B7 and current components.

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@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ KVMFR provides the Linux character-device interface used by the client and OBS
and can export regions for direct GPU import. and can export regions for direct GPU import.
The IDD stores frame queues, frame metadata, pointer updates and input protocol The IDD stores frame queues, frame metadata, pointer updates and input protocol
state in this region. It uses three frame buffers so a producer and multiple state in this region. It uses three frame buffers so a server and multiple
consumers can progress without overwriting a frame that is still in use. clients can progress without overwriting a frame that is still in use.
.. _what_is_the_ivshmem_device_being_used_for: .. _what_is_the_ivshmem_device_being_used_for:

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@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ Troubleshooting
############### ###############
Start with the symptom below. Avoid changing polling, synchronization or Start with the symptom below. Avoid changing polling, synchronization or
renderer options until the basic producer, shared-memory and version checks renderer options until the basic server, shared-memory and version checks
pass. pass.
.. toctree:: .. toctree::
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ The Looking Glass monitor is missing in Windows
size and that at least one configured display mode fits. size and that at least one configured display mode fits.
5. Increase IVSHMEM if every suitable mode was filtered. Restart the VM after 5. Increase IVSHMEM if every suitable mode was filtered. Restart the VM after
changing its size. changing its size.
6. Ensure the legacy Host service is disabled. Only one frame producer should 6. Ensure the legacy Host service is disabled. Only one Looking Glass Server
use the Looking Glass IVSHMEM device. implementation should use the Looking Glass IVSHMEM device.
A missing passed-through GPU does not by itself prevent the IDD display from A missing passed-through GPU does not by itself prevent the IDD display from
appearing. The IDD can start in software mode, although that mode is slower and appearing. The IDD can start in software mode, although that mode is slower and