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VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon is a VDI solution used in CGT and IN-MaC. Users can connect to VM pools that are built from templates. When they log off, the VM will be removed and a replacement VM will be created from the image.

Connections can be made using the Horizon Client or Horizon HTML Access:
 
Some features (e.g. USB redirection, multiple monitor support) are only available in the Horizon Client.
 
Instructions for users are available here:
 
Administrators manage Horizon using the Horizon Console:

Granting access

The group 00000227-ECNHorizonAdmin grants access to the Horizon Console and includes 00000227-ECNMicroStaffAdm. The group 00000227-ECNHorizonTest has been entitled to log into each pool and includes 00000227-ECNMicroStaffTest.

There are groups that grant access to each individual pool. These group names start with 00000227-ECNHorizon (e.g. 00000227-ECNHorizonCGTTB). You can see the group(s) associated with each pool in the Entitlements tab.

Publishing an image

To publish a new image after making changes to a template VM:

  1. Switch the VM from the domain to a workgroup (do not remove the computer account from AD) and power it off
  2. If needed, migrate the VM to a host with a GPU and attach a vGPU. Power it on to confirm the login screen isn't visible in the console, then power it back off
  3. Take a snapshot
  4. Schedule maintenance on the pool and select the snapshot you made
  5. After a successful test logon to the pool, remove the vGPU from the template (if present), rejoin it to the domain, and remove the snapshot

Creating a template

To create a new template VM:

  1. Create a VM in Horizon/Templates. Select VMXNET3 for the network adapter type
  2. Configure a DHCP reservation
  3. Disable hotplug: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1012225
  4. Boot into the BIOS and disable the serial and parallel ports and floppy drive
  5. Do a BoilerAD deploy. The computer account should go in ECN Computers/Horizon/Templates
  6. Remove the CD/DVD drive and SATA controller
  7. Install VMware Tools
  8. Install and configure applications
  9. If a vGPU will be used, install the Nvidia driver and copy license token to "C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\vGPU Licensing\ClientConfigToken"
  10. Install the Horizon Agent. Make sure the Instant Clone Agent is selected

The Horizon Agent and Nvidia driver (including token) currently in use can be found in \\ecn-techwin\research\PLM\General\installation files\vmware\vsan7cgt1

Last Modified: May 14, 2024 4:17 pm GMT-4
Created: Sep 13, 2021 2:32 pm GMT-4 by admin
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