Requirements 

In order to use Netflix remote workstations, end users are required to have assigned a partner account (@netflixpartner.com) linked to the Studio Active Directory. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required for all Netflix system sign-ins to enhance the security of the sign-in experience. You’ll need a second factor of verification in addition to your username and password, therefore, you will need to have installed an authentication app in your mobile phone, such: Google Authenticator, Okta Verify, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, etc. 

It could happen that the user already has a netflixpartner.com account because he/she was part of a previous project  where this kind of account was granted. In that case, a password reset is needed, it can be done on the login screen, or visiting this link:  https://password.prod.netflix.net/#/pandora/reset/initate/netflix.com , then jump to step 2. 

 

 1. Accept invitation and reset password:

An email similar to this must have been received at the personal address provided by the editor or their production company:

 

This account highlighted in red (as an example would be something like this: user@netflixpartner.com ) will be the account to use to log into the editing systems and Slack (support channel).

2. Login into your new Google Chrome Profile and setup the MFA:

It is very recommended the usage of a Chrome profile linked to your new netflixpartner.com account, it will ease the access to the needed platforms. 

Here the official how to from Google Chrome Help, plus an internal video tutorial from Netflix

As part of the first time logging into the Netflix ecosystem, you must configure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), as mentioned in the requirements. Make sure you have already installed your preferred  authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Okta Verify, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, DUO, etc). Once you login with your user and password, you will be redirected to a website where to choose between several options, here the recommended path:

• Choose the Google Authenticator or similar option.
• Scan the QR code using your preferred app).
• Enter the one time code

3. Log in to Workstations Manager:

• Open a Google Chrome tab within the Chrome profile you have configured in the previous step and navigate to: workstations.netflixstudios.com
• Because you are already logged in via SSO, most probably you will land directly in Workstations. If not, login again with your credentials and MFA. 
• Username: Your @netflixpartner.com account (as mentioned above)
• Password: the password you set  in the previous steps

It is recommended to rename your workstation to have a label that later the sys admins can easily identify, to do so go to the burger icon and choose “Rename”, enter the text according to the Hireworks preferred naming convention. 

 

For the next step, we must have the application installed Teradici PCoIP clients, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. 

Click on “connect” to the workstation available in “my workstations”, and a Chrome tab will open asking if it allows PCoIP to be opened, then accept/allow, and Teradici PCoIP client will open, where the password is entered again:

 

4. Basic configuration of the editing workstation

A. Mounting NEXIS shared storage:  once the workstation is open, before opening the Avid Media Composer, you must mount the Avid Nexis storage, which after a few seconds should automatically run and be displayed on the screen.

Click on the “system” name and check the two checkboxes “OS Login” and “Auto Connect”

Next, the list of workspaces will appear, you must select and mark them for automatic mounting with the right button, then activate  “enable auto mount”.

b. Mounting NAS storage. As part of the assigned storage , there is a NAS space for general purpose , documentation, exports, etc. Avoid it to be used for Avid MediaFiles. To mount it the first time, you will find a folder called z_tech in the Nexis project workspace , containing a file called “mount_prodname_nas.bat” , just double click on it and the NAS storage will be mounted on letter N: in Windows and will automount after systems reboots. 

 

5. Access to Slack (support channel)

Slack is an application that will allow you to contact the support team. To access it for the first time, you must first open the Gmail mailbox associated with the account @netflixpartner.com and accept the invitation. Open Google Chrome and add a profile, and use the netflixpartner.com account to log in.

 

Once logged in, access GMail. We will have an email with an invitation to Slack, accept this invitation and continue with the process
⚠️IMPORTANT: as an editor with a @netflixpartner.com account, you have to use Google MFA (2) as the login option:

Once inside the Slack channel, it will be used following certain rules. For more details follow this specific guide about using Slack

 

6. Other settings for the workstation:

Add a keyboard in another language: if you need another language keyboard  layout click on the Windows icon and search for “language” (1), then click on the “language settings” menu (2), then “add a language” (3), search for the language desired (4),  select and click next (5), and install in the next window.

 

 

ANNEX I - Requirements for a satisfactory connection and checking for possible issues

a. Technical requirements:

• Connection via Ethernet cable (not WiFi), either directly to the internet router (private home) or to an existing local network (office case)*
• The minimum recommended bandwidth per editor will be 100Mbps, it will depend on the number of screens and their resolution **
• Have hardware no older than 5 years, with a Windows or Mac operating system updated to versions no older than 2 years and with the latest critical and security updates
• Limit the resolution of the screen(s) according to the setup, based on these recommendations:

**It is recommended that the screen dedicated to full screen playback always be set to HD resolution.

b. Check for possible problems:

• Check that there is more than 100 Mbps internet connection per editor from the client network. Netflix prefers to use the speed test fast.com  For example, if there were 5 editors using the same Internet line, a result equal to or greater than 650 Mbps should be obtained to guarantee bandwidth.
• Connect the PCoIP client in “full screen on all monitors” mode and check that it responds fluidly and the quality is acceptable in full screen playback.
• Check the health status on the Teradici/HP Anyware client. To do this, go to the menu in the top bar, health, connection health:

This monitor measures connection health as well as latency in milliseconds (ms).

In case the state is “poor”, indicates that there is some type of problem or the location has a very high latency.

If you detect problems or have any questions, contact the post services technical team on Slack or by email.ps-tech-spain@netflix.com 

ANNEX II - Network details, bandwidth, screens and resolutions:

In the event that the clients are on a network managed by an IT department, they must allow the PCoIP client to access the Internet, as well as guarantee the necessary bandwidth. Security systems such as firewall and others that are not properly configured can impact in the connection performance.

The bandwidth required by each editor also depends on the number of screens and their resolution, as well as the nature of the image displayed. Basic rules to take into account bandwidth and latency:

• The greater the number of screens, the greater the bandwidth required.

• The higher the resolution of the screens, the greater the bandwidth required.

• The greater the movement in the image, the greater the bandwidth needed (for example, a monitor used for full screen playback).

• The greater the distance from the data center (Madrid), the greater the latency, which could affect the quality if combined with the number of screens and their resolution.

For example, in the case of a client with 2 2K resolution screens to display the applications + an extra screen configured in HD resolution for full screen playback:

This scenario should have at least 150 Mbps guaranteed, and a latency no greater than 140 ms (the latency is indicated by the Teradici health monitor).

Taking the previous case as one of the most demanding, you can have less bandwidth as the number of screens, their resolution and latency decrease.

In addition to what has been mentioned, if clients are on a shared network with other services that could consume the bandwidth assigned to editors, this could affect their connection. For example, in an office with a shared connection, someone downloading a high volume of data from the Internet at maximum speed or watching UHD content - this will reduce the bandwidth of the rest of the users and will have an impact on remote connections.

Teradici PCoIP / HP Anyware technology provides a great user experience in accessing video editing, VFX, color and graphics systems, among others, but the best possible connection conditions must be provided for this to be the case.

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