Supporting Applications that Require Multiple Displays

Understanding the Benefits of Multiple Displays in VM Labs

With VM-based labs, multiple display support improves learner productivity and usability by expanding the available screen space. This feature helps learners work more efficiently by reducing the need to switch between windows or tabs.

Common challenges solved by using multiple displays include:

• Frequent window switching that increases mental load and disrupts focus

• Difficulty viewing multiple dashboards, design tools, or documents at once

• Limited multitasking on a single screen

• Cluttered or cramped workspaces that slow output

Since many professionals rely on multiple monitors in their daily work, Skillable labs can replicate that experience. Using multiple displays in your lab helps create a realistic learning environment that closely mirrors real-world conditions.

Best Practices for Using Multiple Displays

The Skillable Lab Client supports multiple displays in two ways, depending on the lab setup:

• Multiple VMs

• Multiple displays to a single VM

You can also combine these options if needed.

Scenario 1: Multiple VMs

When a lab includes multiple VMs, learners typically work in one VM at a time within the Skillable Lab Client. After completing a task, they switch to another VM. All VM windows remain docked within the client.

If learners have multiple physical displays, they can undock one or more VMs into separate windows and place them on different monitors. This setup allows learners to view multiple VMs at once, reducing the need to switch back and forth.

The image below shows an example. Using the option highlighted in the purple box, the second VM is undocked and displayed on a separate monitor.

This capability is enabled by default and available for all VM-based labs. The next section focuses on using multiple displays for a single VM.

Scenario 2: Multiple Displays to a Single VM

Some applications perform better when multiple displays are available. For example, a medical application might show an ismage (such as an MRI scan) on one display and a related form on another. This setup reduces the need to switch between windows and provides a more natural workflow.

The image below shows this configuration on a Linux VM, with Firefox stretched across two monitors to demonstrate true multiple-display support.

Using Multiple Displays for a Single VM

The ability to use multiple displays for a single VM is a powerful feature when working with several applications or tools that require additional screen space.

Before enabling this feature in your Hands-on lab, consider:

• What display setup is recommended for the application?

• How would this application typically be used in production?

• Will learners have access to multiple monitors?

If one or more of these answers is yes, enabling multiple displays can improve usability and engagement by providing a realistic learner workflow.

Once enabled, learners can open additional browser windows that act as extra displays into the same VM. They can move and arrange these windows across their physical monitors as needed. The Skillable Lab Client automatically detects the position of each browser window, allowing seamless navigation when dragging windows between displays.

Core features:

• Supports up 16 displays (depending on guest OS capabilities)

• Auto-detects browser window positioning for smooth navigation

• Supports Windows and Linux VMs with RDP enabled

• Supports Hyper-V and ESX virtualization platforms

Multiple Display Configuration Options

You can enable multiple displays in Skillable Studio using one of two methods:

• Enhanced Session Mode (ESM)

• Custom VM Endpoints

Both methods provide complete solutions with different advantages.

Using Enhanced Session Mode (ESM)

If your labs already use ESM, this method may be the simplest option.

Using VM Endpoints

VM Endpoints offer more flexibility but slightly change the user experience. You may need to include additional lab instructions when using this option.

Next Steps

• Configuring Labs with Multiple Displays

Additional Resources

• Lab Profiles

• Virtual Machine Profiles

• Custom VM Endpoints