Linux VDI with Horizon 6 & Above

One of the new features provided in Horizon View 6.1.1, which I’ve mentioned in the What’s New article, is the support of providing Linux based virtual desktops. There are some limitations, but it is definitely a feature which is good to have in our pocket as VDI engineers.

Limitations

Here is the list with limitation from the official VMware documentation:
  • Single Sign-on (SSO) is not supported. After logging in to Horizon 6 and launching the remote desktop, the user must log in to the Linux guest operating system.
  • Automated provisioning and other features that are provided only with automated desktop pools are not supported. For example, the refresh on logoff operation is not available.
  • Local devices cannot be used on the remote desktop. For example, USB redirection, virtual printing, location-based printing, clipboard redirection, Real-Time Audio-Video, and smart cards are not supported.
  • HTML Access is not supported.

Supported Linux versions

  • Ubuntu 12.04 – x86 and x64
  • RHEL 6.6 – x86 and x64
  • CentOS 6.6 – x86 and x64
  • NeoKylin 6 and NeoKylin 6 Update 1 – x86 and x64
NeoKylin is still in tech preview. Zero clients and mobile clients are not supported. KDE is not officially supported.

Prepare a Ubuntu VDI Template

For our testing we are going to use Ubuntu 12.04 x64. It can be downloaded from here. Assuming that the OS is already installed, we need to install first VMware Tools – KB102525
  • Open a Terminal window. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892).
  • In the Terminal, run this command to navigate to the vmware-tools-distrib folder:
    cd Desktop/vmware-tools-distrib
  • Run this command to install VMware Tools: sudo ./vmware-install.pl -d
    Note: The -d switch assumes that you want to accept the defaults. If you do not use -d, press Return to accept the defaults or supply your own answers.
  • Enter your Ubuntu password.
  • Restart the Ubuntu virtual machine after the VMware Tools installation completes.
Second step is to install Horizon View Agent for Linux
  • Download View Agent from here
  • Extract the archive on the Desktop
  • Open Terminal and navigate to the extracted folder 1
  • Run the command sudo ./install_viewagent.sh -b mybroker.mydomain.com -d mydomain.com -u domainuser -p password 
    • Domain user must have permissions to Register agents to the Horizon View
  • You will be prompted to install Oracle Java 1.7.0_80 which is mandatory for the agent. You need to have internet connectivity from the VDI source VM. 2
  • Reboot is required
Create a Linux Manual Pool in View Administrator
  • Go to Catalog -> Desktop Pools -> Add and select Manual Desktop Pool as the only supported option for Linux based VDI so far. 3
  • Dedicated or Floating ups to you.
    4
  • Select Other Sources
    5
  • Type ID and Display Name for the pool
    6
  • Pool Settings, ups to you. There are no specific requirements.
    7
  • Select your Ubuntu. During the Agent installation it was registered with the Horizon View
    8
  • Create user entitlement after that and confirm the pool creation.
  • Connect with Horizon View Client to you connection server and you will see the Ubuntu Pool.
    9
  • After lunching the virtual desktop you will be able to login to your first Linux VDI10
  • Looks like the Display Protocol which we will be able to use in Linux VDI is BLAST.11
Courtesy : thevirtuallist.org 

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