CeRTNA does not specifically support Virtual Machine (VM) configurations. These are dependent on the Virtualization Platform that is in use in your organization. This said, CeRTNA currently uses Microsoft's Hyper-V platform and we are able to create VM's for various types of testing. We have successfully tested the APEX client running on a Windows 10 VM, Windows 11 VM, Server 2012 VM, and Server 2016 VM. In each case the APEX client software works as expected.

The only method that CeRTNA can directly support for connecting to a virtual machine (VM) is using a Microsoft Remote Desktop Client. If you are using our ERDS platform, you will need to have your Remote Desktop Client configured for USB Passthrough and/or support for Smart Cards. Two factor authentication using a SafeNet e-Token is required on the CeRTNA ERDS platform and this is why the USB Passthrough configuration is required. On the CeRTNA G2G platform, USB passthrough does not need to be configured because the G2G Platform is a closed platform that does not use USB tokens.

There are several benefits to using a Virtual Machine for your ERDS & G2G workstations:

• You do not need a security cabinet for the VM. It is expected that your virtualization host will be in a secured computer room and potentially in a secured server cabinet in the computer room. (This is in contrast to an ERDS workstation sitting in a security cabinet in the general work area where recorder or agent staff resides.)

• Virtual machines are easy to back up, replicate, and/or move.

• Virtual machines can have snapshots taken before maintenance operations take place, for example upgrading the Operating System and/or applying Windows Updates.

If your organization decides to use a Virtual Machine for your ERDS/G2G workstation, your organization will be expected to provide support for the VM.