How To Create Vdi In Vmware Horizon

When it comes to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions, VMware Horizon stands as a leading platform, revolutionizing the way organizations deploy and manage virtual desktops. With its robust features and seamless integration, VMware Horizon offers a streamlined process for creating VDIs that cater to the modern business needs. But how exactly can you create a VDI in VMware Horizon?

To create a VDI in VMware Horizon, you begin by setting up the necessary infrastructure, including the required server and storage resources. Then, you install and configure VMware Horizon on your infrastructure, enabling you to create and manage virtual desktops. With VMware Horizon, you can easily provision virtual desktops, assign user profiles, and control access rights, providing a reliable and scalable VDI solution for your organization's workforce.

Introduction: Understanding VDI in VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon is a leading virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that enables organizations to streamline and centralize desktop management, improve security, and enhance user experience. VDI allows the creation and management of virtual desktops, known as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), which can be accessed remotely by end-users on various devices.

In this article, we will explore the process of creating VDI in VMware Horizon, empowering businesses to harness the benefits of centralized desktop management and deliver a seamless experience to their users. We will dive into the essential steps, configurations, and considerations involved in setting up VDI in VMware Horizon, allowing businesses to efficiently deploy virtual desktops.

Step 1: Planning for VDI Deployment

Before diving into the technical aspects of creating VDI in VMware Horizon, it is crucial to lay a solid foundation through thoughtful planning. Consider the following key aspects:

• Identify the business use case and requirements: Understanding the specific needs and goals of your organization will help determine the appropriate VDI configuration.
• Assess user requirements and workload: Analyze the number of users, their geographic locations, the types of applications they will run, and the expected workload. This will help estimate the infrastructure and resources needed.
• Determine infrastructure and resource requirements: Evaluate the existing infrastructure and identify any additional hardware, storage, or network upgrades required to support VDI deployment.
• Consider security and compliance: Assess the security requirements and regulatory compliance standards applicable to your organization. Implement appropriate security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to protect sensitive data.

By thoroughly planning and understanding the requirements, organizations can ensure a successful VDI deployment that aligns with their business goals and user needs.

Step 2: Architecting Your VDI Environment

Once the planning phase is complete, it's time to architect the VDI environment in VMware Horizon. Follow these steps:

• Deploy infrastructure components: Set up the required components, such as VMware vSphere, vCenter Server, and vSAN. These components provide the foundation for running and managing the virtual desktops.
• Create a master virtual desktop image: Design and configure a master virtual desktop image that will serve as the template for all virtual desktops in your deployment. Customize it according to your organization's requirements, including installed applications, security settings, and user preferences.
• Configure virtual desktop pools: Define the pool policies, such as the number of desktops, entitlements, and provisioning settings. VMware Horizon offers various pool types, including dedicated and floating, to meet different user needs and optimize resource utilization.
• Implement storage and networking: Design and configure storage and networking infrastructure to provide optimal performance and scalability for the virtual desktop environment. Consider factors like storage capacity, performance, redundancy, and network bandwidth.

By following these steps, organizations can properly architect their VDI environment, ensuring a scalable, efficient, and reliable infrastructure to support virtual desktop deployment.

Step 2.1: Deploying Infrastructure Components

To deploy the required infrastructure components, organizations need to follow these steps:

• Install and configure VMware vSphere: Install and configure the vSphere hypervisor to create and manage virtual machines. This provides the underlying foundation for the VDI environment.
• Set up vCenter Server: Install and configure vCenter Server, which acts as a centralized management platform for VMware vSphere. It allows for easy administration, performance monitoring, and resource allocation.
• Configure vSAN (Virtual SAN): Set up vSAN to leverage dedicated storage devices or local server disks to create a cost-effective and resilient storage solution for your virtual desktop infrastructure.

Proper deployment of these infrastructure components is crucial to ensure a robust and efficient VDI environment.

Step 2.2: Creating a Master Virtual Desktop Image

Creating a master virtual desktop image involves the following steps:

• Install a base operating system: Install the preferred operating system, such as Windows, on a virtual machine. Ensure that all necessary drivers and updates are installed.
• Customize the virtual machine: Install essential applications, productivity tools, security software, and device drivers relevant to your organization. Configure the necessary settings, such as display resolution, power options, and network configurations.
• Optimize the virtual machine: Fine-tune the virtual machine by optimizing it for VDI usage. This includes disabling unnecessary services, reducing visual effects, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Take a snapshot: Once the customization is complete, take a snapshot of the master virtual desktop image. This snapshot will serve as a backup point and allow for easy restoration or deployment of additional virtual desktops.

Creating a well-customized and optimized master virtual desktop image ensures consistency and efficiency across all virtual desktops in the deployment.

Step 2.3: Configuring Virtual Desktop Pools

Configuring virtual desktop pools involves the following steps:

• Select pool type: VMware Horizon offers different pool types, such as Automated Desktop Pool and Manual Desktop Pool. Choose the appropriate pool type based on user requirements and resource management needs.
• Configure pool settings: Define the number of desktops to be created in the pool and set entitlements, such as user access rights and resource allocation. Configure provisioning settings, including whether to create desktops on-demand or in advance.
• Utilize user assignment: Assign users or groups to appropriate desktop pools, allowing them to access their designated virtual desktops based on their entitlements.

By configuring virtual desktop pools, organizations can effectively manage user access, resource allocation, and provisioning, providing a tailored virtual desktop experience for their users.

Step 3: Implementing User Access and Management

After architecting the VDI environment, the next step is implementing user access and management. Consider the following:

• Authenticate users: Configure the appropriate authentication methods, such as Active Directory integration or two-factor authentication, to ensure secure user access to the virtual desktop environment.
• Set up user profiles: Implement user profile management to provide a consistent and personalized user experience across different virtual desktop sessions. Profile management tools like VMware Dynamic Environment Manager can help manage user settings, application configurations, and user data.
• Deploy VMware Horizon Clients: Install and configure VMware Horizon Clients on end-user devices to enable seamless access to virtual desktops. Clients are available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

By implementing user access and management mechanisms, organizations can ensure a smooth and secure user experience, regardless of the device or location.

Step 3.1: Authenticating Users

To authenticate users, organizations can follow these steps:

• Integrate with Active Directory: Configure the integration between VMware Horizon and Active Directory, allowing users to log in using their domain credentials. This ensures centralized user management and simplifies access control.
• Implement two-factor authentication: Strengthen the security of user authentication by implementing two-factor authentication methods, such as smart cards or mobile device-based authentication.
• Configure access controls: Set up access controls based on user roles and permissions to restrict unauthorized access to the virtual desktop environment.

By implementing robust user authentication measures, organizations can enhance the security of their VDI environment and protect sensitive data.

Step 3.2: Setting Up User Profiles

To set up user profiles, organizations can follow these steps:

• Implement profile management: Utilize profile management tools, such as VMware Dynamic Environment Manager or Microsoft Roaming User Profiles, to manage user profiles. These tools allow the seamless synchronization of user settings and configurations across different virtual desktop sessions.
• Configure personalization settings: Customize the user experience by configuring personalization settings, such as desktop backgrounds, customized application layouts, and per-user settings, to reflect individual preferences.
• Enable Folder Redirection: Redirect user-specific folders, such as Documents or Desktop, to network shares or virtual disks, ensuring data availability and easy recovery in case of virtual desktop failures.

By implementing user profile management, organizations can deliver a consistent and personalized experience to their users, resulting in increased productivity and satisfaction.

Step 3.3: Deploying VMware Horizon Clients

To deploy VMware Horizon Clients, organizations can follow these steps:

• Download and install Horizon Client: Download the appropriate version of VMware Horizon Client for each user platform, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android. Install the client software on end-user devices.
• Configure client connections: Configure the connection settings within the Horizon Client, such as server address, authentication method, and default desktop pool. This enables users to connect to their assigned virtual desktops seamlessly.
• Test connectivity and performance: Validate the connectivity and performance of Horizon Clients by performing tests and monitoring the user experience. Address any issues or bottlenecks to ensure optimal user experience.

By successfully deploying VMware Horizon Clients, organizations can provide end-users with easy and secure access to their virtual desktops, improving productivity and flexibility.

Exploring Advanced Capabilities of VDI in VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon offers advanced capabilities and features to enhance the VDI environment. Let's explore some of these:

1. High Availability and Load Balancing

VMware Horizon provides high availability and load balancing capabilities to ensure the availability and optimal performance of virtual desktops. Key aspects include:

• Deploying Horizon Connection Servers in a cluster: Set up a cluster of Horizon Connection Servers to provide redundancy and high availability. This ensures that if one server fails, the others can seamlessly handle user connections and desktop provisioning.
• Load balancing with VMware Unified Access Gateway: Deploy VMware Unified Access Gateway to distribute user connections across multiple Horizon Connection Servers. This helps optimize resource utilization and deliver a consistent user experience.
• Monitoring and managing server resources: Utilize monitoring and management tools, such as VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon, to monitor server health, performance, and resource utilization. This allows proactive management and identification of performance bottlenecks.

By leveraging high availability and load balancing capabilities, organizations can ensure uninterrupted access to virtual desktops and efficient utilization of infrastructure resources.

2. Virtual Desktop Pools and Instant Clones

VMware Horizon offers virtual desktop pools and instant clone capabilities to optimize resource usage and streamline desktop provisioning. Key aspects include:

• Automated pool provisioning: Utilize automated desktop pool provisioning to simplify the deployment and management of virtual desktops. Set up policies to automatically create desktops on-demand, based on predefined rules and user entitlements.
• Instant clones for rapid desktop provisioning: Leverage instant clone technology to rapidly provision virtual desktops. Instant clones share a single base VM and use rapid cloning technology to create individual desktop instances efficiently.
• Runtime customization of instant clones: Customize and personalize instant clones at runtime by implementing VMware App Volumes and writable volumes. This allows the delivery of per-user or per-department application layers and user-installed applications.

By utilizing virtual desktop pools and instant clones, organizations can achieve cost-effective scalability and reduce maintenance efforts associated with individual desktop management.

3. VMware Blast Extreme Protocol and 3D Graphics

VMware Blast Extreme is a high-performance, software-based remote display protocol designed to deliver an exceptional user experience across different network conditions. Key aspects include:

• Optimized graphics and multimedia experience: VMware Blast Extreme utilizes advanced compression and encoding techniques to deliver high-quality graphics and multimedia content on various devices, including thin clients and mobile devices.
• GPU acceleration for 3D graphics: VMware Horizon supports hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, allowing users to run graphically intensive applications, such as CAD/CAM software or 3D modeling tools, within virtual desktops.
• Adaptive transport for network conditions: Blast Extreme adapts to changing network conditions, adjusting compression rates and protocols based on available bandwidth and latency. This ensures a consistent user experience across different network connections.

By leveraging VMware Blast Extreme protocol and GPU acceleration, organizations can deliver a rich and immersive virtual desktop experience, even for demanding graphical applications.

4. Security and Compliance Features

VMware Horizon offers robust security and compliance features to protect sensitive data and ensure regulatory compliance. Key aspects include:

• Secure remote access: VMware Horizon
  
  

  Creating a VDI in VMware Horizon

  Creating a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in VMware Horizon allows organizations to centrally manage and deliver virtual desktops to end users. With VMware Horizon, you can create and deploy virtual desktops with ease. Here are the steps to create a VDI in VMware Horizon:

  • Step 1: Install and configure VMware Horizon View Connection Server.
  • Step 2: Install the Horizon View Agent on the virtual machines that you want to use as virtual desktops.
  • Step 3: Create a desktop pool in the VMware Horizon Administrator console.
  • Step 4: Configure the desktop pool settings, such as the number of virtual machines, user assignments, and display protocol.
  • Step 5: Customize the virtual desktop image by installing the required applications and configuring the user settings.
  • Step 6: Test the virtual desktops to ensure they are working properly.
  • Step 7: Grant access to the virtual desktops to end users through the VMware Horizon Client.

  By following these steps, organizations can effectively create a VDI in VMware Horizon, providing their users with a flexible and secure virtual desktop environment.

  
  

  Key Takeaways - How to Create VDI in VMware Horizon:

  • VDI stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, and it allows you to create virtual desktops.
  • VMware Horizon is a popular VDI solution that provides a centralized management platform.
  • To create a VDI in VMware Horizon, start by setting up a virtual machine template.
  • You can customize the virtual machine template by adding applications and configuring settings.
  • Once the template is ready, use VMware Horizon to create desktop pools for your users.
  
  

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Here are some common questions regarding creating VDI in VMware Horizon:

  1. What is VDI?

  VDI stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. It is a technology that allows users to access a virtual desktop environment hosted on a central server using remote display protocols.

  In simple terms, VDI enables users to access their desktop, applications, and data from any device with an internet connection, giving them the freedom to work remotely without the need for physical hardware limitations.

  2. What is VMware Horizon?

  VMware Horizon is a desktop virtualization and remote desktop software solution provided by VMware. It enables organizations to create VDI environments and deliver virtual desktops to end-users.

  With VMware Horizon, you can easily manage virtual desktops, applications, and data, providing a secure and flexible work environment for your employees.

  3. How do I create a VDI in VMware Horizon?

  To create a VDI in VMware Horizon, follow these steps:

  1. Install and configure VMware Horizon on your server infrastructure.

  2. Set up a virtual machine template that will serve as the base image for your virtual desktops. Install the necessary operating system, applications, and customization.

  3. Configure a pool, which determines how the virtual desktops are created and how users are assigned to them. Choose the desired settings for the pool, such as the number of desktops, allocation method, and user entitlements.

  4. Customize the desktop image further, if needed, by adding additional software or making specific configurations.

  5. Test the virtual desktops to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

  6. Once the testing is complete, your VDI is ready to be deployed to end-users through VMware Horizon Client.

  4. What are the benefits of using VDI in VMware Horizon?

  Using VDI in VMware Horizon offers several benefits:

  - Increased flexibility and mobility: Users can access their virtual desktops and applications from any device and location, allowing for remote work and improved productivity.

  - Centralized management: Administrators can easily manage and update virtual desktops from a central location, simplifying maintenance tasks and reducing overhead costs.

  - Enhanced security: Virtual desktops and data are stored on central servers, reducing the risk of data loss or unauthorized access. In addition, VMware Horizon provides advanced security features to protect against cyber threats.

  - Cost savings: VDI eliminates the need for individual desktop hardware, leading to lower hardware costs and reduced energy consumption.

  5. Can I customize virtual desktops in VMware Horizon?

  Yes, VMware Horizon allows you to customize virtual desktops to meet your specific requirements. You can install additional software, configure settings, and personalize the desktop environment.

  Customization options include setting up user profiles, applying group policies, and deploying applications or updates to multiple virtual desktops simultaneously.

  
  
  
  

  Creating a VDI in VMware Horizon is a straightforward process that allows you to virtualize your desktop environment. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up and configure a VDI to provide a flexible and scalable solution for your organization's computing needs.

  First, you need to install and set up VMware Horizon on your server. Then, you can create a virtual desktop pool and define the necessary settings such as desktop resources and user access. Once the pool is created, users can connect to their virtual desktops using VMware Horizon Client. Overall, creating a VDI in VMware Horizon offers numerous benefits, including centralized management and improved security.