Implementation Guide: Deploying VMware Horizon 8 – A Step-by-Step VDI Guide

Enterprise Mobility & EUC, Virtual Desktops & Apps (VDI) / Leave a Comment

Introduction

VMware Horizon 8 represents the pinnacle of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) technology, offering organizations the ability to deliver secure, high-performance virtual desktops and applications to users anywhere, on any device. A successful Horizon deployment requires meticulous planning, proper infrastructure preparation, and a methodical implementation approach.

This comprehensive guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough of a production-ready Horizon 8 installation, covering everything from initial infrastructure preparation to creating your first desktop pools and ensuring optimal performance.

VMware Horizon Deployment Architecture

Architecture Overview and Core Components

Before diving into the implementation, it’s crucial to understand the core components that make up a Horizon environment:

Essential Components:

  • vCenter Server: The centralized management platform for your vSphere environment
  • Horizon Connection Server: The broker that authenticates users and connects them to their virtual desktops
  • Active Directory: Provides user authentication and group policy management
  • Golden Image VM: The master template used to create all user desktops
  • Horizon Agent: Software installed on virtual desktops to enable communication with Connection Server

Optional but Recommended Components:

  • Unified Access Gateway (UAG): Secure remote access gateway
  • App Volumes: Application layering and lifecycle management
  • Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM): User environment and profile management
  • vRealize Operations: Monitoring and capacity planning

Pre-Deployment Planning and Prerequisites

Infrastructure Requirements:

Compute Resources:

  • ESXi Hosts: Minimum 3 hosts for HA, recommended 4+ for production
  • CPU: Intel VT-x or AMD-V enabled processors
  • Memory: Minimum 4GB per virtual desktop + host overhead
  • Storage: High-performance storage (SSD/NVMe recommended) with sufficient IOPS

Network Requirements:

  • Bandwidth: Minimum 1Gbps, 10Gbps recommended for production
  • VLANs: Separate VLANs for management, desktop, and DMZ traffic
  • DNS: Properly configured forward and reverse DNS resolution
  • Time Synchronization: NTP configured across all components

Software Prerequisites:

  • vSphere: Version 7.0 or later (8.0 recommended)
  • Windows Server: 2019 or 2022 for Connection Servers
  • Active Directory: 2016 functional level or higher
  • Database: SQL Server 2019 or later for events database

Step 1: Prepare Your vSphere Environment

A properly configured vSphere environment is the foundation of a successful Horizon deployment.

1.1 Create Service Accounts

In Active Directory, create dedicated service accounts with appropriate permissions:

Horizon Service Account:

Account Name: svc-horizon
Description: VMware Horizon Service Account
Password: Complex password with no expiration
Permissions: 
- Log on as a service
- Act as part of the operating system
- Log on as a batch job

vCenter Permissions for Horizon:

  • Datastore: Allocate space, Browse datastore, Low level file operations
  • Folder: Create folder, Delete folder
  • Global: Act as vCenter Server, Enable methods, Disable methods
  • Network: Assign network
  • Resource: Assign virtual machine to resource pool
  • Virtual Machine: Full permissions for VM lifecycle management

1.2 Network Configuration

Configure dedicated VLANs and port groups:

VLAN Structure:

VLAN Purpose Subnet DHCP Pool
VLAN 100 Management 10.100.0.0/24 10.100.0.100-200
VLAN 200 VDI Desktops 10.200.0.0/22 10.200.1.0-10.200.3.254
VLAN 300 DMZ (UAG) 10.300.0.0/24 Static IPs

1.3 Storage Configuration

Configure storage for optimal VDI performance:

Storage Tiers:

  • Tier 1 (NVMe/SSD): OS disks, replica disks, logs
  • Tier 2 (SAS): User data, profiles
  • Tier 3 (SATA): Templates, ISOs, backups

Datastore Naming Convention:

  • VDI_OS_01: Operating system disks
  • VDI_DATA_01: User data and profiles
  • VDI_REPLICA_01: Instant clone replica disks
  • VDI_TEMP_01: Templates and golden images

Step 2: Install and Configure Horizon Connection Server

The Connection Server is the central component that brokers all user connections to virtual desktops.

2.1 Server Preparation

Virtual Machine Specifications:

  • CPU: 4 vCPUs (8 vCPUs for large deployments)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM (16GB for large deployments)
  • Storage: 100GB system disk on high-performance storage
  • Network: Management VLAN with static IP

Windows Server Configuration:

  1. Install Windows Server 2022 with latest updates
  2. Join the server to the Active Directory domain
  3. Configure static IP address and DNS settings
  4. Install .NET Framework 4.8 or later
  5. Configure Windows Firewall or disable if using network firewalls

2.2 Connection Server Installation

  1. Download Horizon: Obtain the latest Horizon 8 installer from VMware
  2. Run Installer: Execute the VMware-Horizon-Connection-Server-x86_64-XXXX.exe
  3. Installation Type: Select “Horizon Connection Server” (Standard Server)
  4. License Agreement: Accept the license terms
  5. Destination Folder: Use default or specify custom location
  6. Data Recovery Password: Set a strong password and store securely
  7. Firewall Configuration: Allow Horizon services through Windows Firewall
  8. Installation Complete: Restart the server when prompted

Critical Note: The Data Recovery Password is essential for disaster recovery and adding replica servers. Store this password in a secure location and ensure it’s available to authorized personnel.

2.3 Initial Connection Server Configuration

Access the Horizon Administrator Console at https://connection-server-fqdn/admin

First-Time Setup Wizard:

  1. Administrator Account: Specify domain administrator or dedicated Horizon admin
  2. License Key: Enter your Horizon license key
  3. vCenter Server: Add your vCenter Server with service account credentials
  4. Event Database: Configure SQL Server database for event logging
  5. LDAP Configuration: Configure Active Directory integration

Step 3: Configure Core Horizon Settings

3.1 vCenter Server Integration

Navigate to Settings > Servers and configure vCenter integration:

vCenter Configuration:

  • Server Address: vCenter FQDN or IP address
  • User Name: svc-horizon@domain.com
  • Password: Service account password
  • Port: 443 (default)
  • Certificate: Accept or import vCenter certificate

Composer Settings (if using Linked Clones):

  • Composer Server: Typically the same as vCenter
  • Composer Domain: Active Directory domain
  • Composer User: Service account with appropriate permissions

3.2 Event Database Configuration

Configure the events database for logging and reporting:

Database Server Requirements:

  • SQL Server: 2019 or later
  • Database: Create dedicated database (e.g., “HorizonEvents”)
  • Authentication: SQL Server authentication recommended
  • Permissions: db_owner on the events database

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Event Configuration
  2. Select “Database” as the event destination
  3. Enter database server details and credentials
  4. Test the connection and save configuration
  5. Configure log retention policies (recommended: 90 days)

3.3 Global Settings Configuration

Security Settings:

  • Session Timeout: Configure appropriate timeout values
  • Message Security: Enable message security mode (Enhanced)
  • Certificate Validation: Configure certificate checking
  • Smart Card Authentication: Enable if required

Client Settings:

  • Client Session Timeout: 600 minutes (default)
  • Pre-login Message: Configure legal notice if required
  • Client Drive Redirection: Configure based on security policy
  • USB Redirection: Configure allowed device types

Step 4: Prepare the Golden Image

The golden image serves as the template for all virtual desktops in your environment.

4.1 Base Operating System Installation

Virtual Machine Specifications:

  • OS: Windows 10/11 Enterprise (latest version)
  • CPU: 2 vCPUs
  • Memory: 4GB RAM
  • Disk: 60GB thin provisioned
  • Network: Desktop VLAN

Installation Steps:

  1. Create VM: Create new virtual machine with specifications above
  2. Install OS: Install Windows with default settings
  3. Windows Updates: Install all critical and security updates
  4. VMware Tools: Install latest VMware Tools
  5. Domain Join: Join the VM to the Active Directory domain

4.2 Application Installation

Install all required applications and configure default settings:

Essential Applications:

  • Microsoft Office: Install and activate with volume licensing
  • Web Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge (configure default settings)
  • PDF Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader or alternative
  • Antivirus: Corporate antivirus solution
  • Line-of-Business Apps: Install corporate applications

Application Configuration Best Practices:

  • Disable Auto-Updates: Prevent applications from updating automatically
  • Configure Defaults: Set appropriate default settings for all users
  • Remove Bloatware: Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed applications
  • Optimize Startup: Disable unnecessary startup programs

4.3 Horizon Agent Installation

The Horizon Agent enables communication between the virtual desktop and Connection Server:

Installation Steps:

  1. Download Agent: Obtain Horizon Agent installer matching your Horizon version
  2. Run Installer: Execute VMware-Horizon-Agent-x86_64-XXXX.exe
  3. Installation Type: Select “Virtual Desktop”
  4. Features Selection: Choose required features:
    • Horizon Agent (required)
    • USB Redirection (if needed)
    • Real-Time Audio-Video (for multimedia)
    • Instant Clone Agent (for instant clones)
    • PCoIP (if using PCoIP protocol)
    • Blast (if using VMware Blast protocol)
  5. RDP Settings: Configure RDP settings if required
  6. Installation Complete: Restart when prompted

4.4 Operating System Optimization

Optimize the OS for VDI performance and user experience:

VMware OS Optimization Tool:

  1. Download Tool: Get the latest VMware OS Optimization Tool
  2. Run Analysis: Analyze the current OS configuration
  3. Apply Optimizations: Apply recommended VDI optimizations:
    • Disable unnecessary services
    • Optimize visual effects
    • Configure power management
    • Disable Windows Search indexing
    • Configure Windows Update settings
  4. Custom Optimizations: Apply organization-specific optimizations

Manual Optimizations:

  • Disable Hibernation: powercfg -h off
  • Disable System Restore: Turn off system restore to save space
  • Configure Page File: Set appropriate page file size
  • Disable Defragmentation: Not needed for virtual disks

4.5 Final Preparation

  1. Run Sysprep: Generalize the image using sysprep
  2. Shutdown VM: Cleanly shutdown the virtual machine
  3. Create Snapshot: Take a snapshot named “Golden Image – [Date]”
  4. Convert to Template: Optionally convert to template for easier management

Step 5: Create Your First Desktop Pool

Desktop pools define collections of virtual desktops with common characteristics.

5.1 Pool Planning

Pool Types:

  • Instant Clones: Fast provisioning, shared base image (recommended)
  • Full Clones: Independent VMs, higher storage requirements
  • Linked Clones: Legacy technology, not recommended for new deployments

Pool Sizing Guidelines:

User Type vCPU Memory Storage Concurrent Users
Task Worker 2 4GB 32GB 80-100 per host
Knowledge Worker 2-4 6-8GB 40GB 40-60 per host
Power User 4-8 8-16GB 60GB 20-30 per host

5.2 Create Instant Clone Pool

Navigate to Inventory > Desktops and click “Add”:

Pool Configuration:

  1. Type: Select “Automated Desktop Pool”
  2. User Assignment: Choose “Dedicated” or “Floating”
  3. Clone Type: Select “Instant Clone”
  4. Pool Identification:
    • ID: WIN11-POOL-01
    • Display Name: Windows 11 Knowledge Workers
    • Description: Standard Windows 11 desktop for knowledge workers

Desktop Pool Settings:

  • Connection Server Restrictions: None (allow all)
  • Category Folder: Create organizational folders if needed
  • Client Restrictions: Configure based on security requirements
  • Shortcut Locations: Configure desktop and start menu shortcuts

Provisioning Settings:

  • Enable Provisioning: Yes
  • Stop Provisioning on Error: Yes
  • Naming Pattern: WIN11-{n:3} (e.g., WIN11-001, WIN11-002)
  • Minimum Pool Size: 10
  • Maximum Pool Size: 50
  • Spare Pool Size: 2

vCenter Settings:

  • Parent VM: Select your golden image VM
  • Snapshot: Select the golden image snapshot
  • VM Folder: Create dedicated folder for pool VMs
  • Host or Cluster: Select target compute resource
  • Resource Pool: Select appropriate resource pool
  • Datastores: Select datastores for OS and replica disks

Guest Customization:

  • Customization Type: Use VM’s current domain
  • AD Container: Specify OU for computer accounts
  • Allow Reuse of Pre-existing Accounts: Yes

5.3 Pool Entitlements

Configure user and group access to the desktop pool:

  1. Select Pool: Click on the newly created pool
  2. Entitlements Tab: Click “Add” to create new entitlement
  3. Add Users/Groups: Search and select AD users or groups
  4. Configure Permissions: Set appropriate access levels

Step 6: Configure Advanced Features

6.1 Load Balancing and High Availability

Connection Server Load Balancing:

  • Replica Servers: Deploy additional Connection Servers for HA
  • Load Balancer: Configure external load balancer for Connection Servers
  • Health Checks: Configure health monitoring for automatic failover

Desktop Pool Load Balancing:

  • Host Load Balancing: Configure DRS rules for optimal VM placement
  • Storage Load Balancing: Use Storage DRS for automatic storage balancing
  • Network Load Balancing: Distribute network traffic across multiple paths

6.2 Monitoring and Alerting

Built-in Monitoring:

  • Dashboard: Use Horizon Administrator dashboard for real-time status
  • Events: Monitor events database for issues and trends
  • Performance: Track key performance metrics

Third-Party Monitoring:

  • vRealize Operations: Comprehensive infrastructure monitoring
  • SCOM/SCCM: Integration with Microsoft monitoring tools
  • Custom Scripts: PowerShell scripts for automated monitoring

Step 7: Performance Optimization and Tuning

7.1 Storage Optimization

Storage Policies:

  • VM Storage Policies: Create policies for different workload types
  • Instant Clone Optimization: Optimize replica disk placement
  • Storage DRS: Enable and configure Storage DRS rules

Performance Monitoring:

  • IOPS Monitoring: Monitor storage IOPS and latency
  • Capacity Planning: Plan for storage growth
  • Performance Alerts: Configure alerts for storage performance issues

7.2 Network Optimization

Protocol Optimization:

  • VMware Blast: Configure Blast Extreme for optimal performance
  • PCoIP: Tune PCoIP settings for network conditions
  • Bandwidth Management: Configure bandwidth limits and QoS

Network Monitoring:

  • Bandwidth Utilization: Monitor network utilization
  • Latency Monitoring: Track network latency
  • Protocol Analytics: Analyze protocol performance

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Issues:

  • Certificate Problems: Verify certificate validity and trust
  • Firewall Issues: Check firewall rules and port connectivity
  • DNS Resolution: Verify DNS forward and reverse resolution
  • Time Synchronization: Ensure all components have synchronized time

Performance Issues:

  • Resource Contention: Monitor CPU, memory, and storage utilization
  • Network Bottlenecks: Identify and resolve network performance issues
  • Storage Latency: Address storage performance problems
  • Protocol Optimization: Tune display protocols for better performance

Provisioning Issues:

  • vCenter Connectivity: Verify vCenter integration and permissions
  • Resource Availability: Ensure sufficient compute and storage resources
  • Network Configuration: Verify VLAN and network connectivity
  • Active Directory: Check AD integration and computer account creation

Security Best Practices

Infrastructure Security:

  • Network Segmentation: Isolate VDI traffic from other network traffic
  • Firewall Rules: Implement strict firewall rules between network segments
  • Certificate Management: Use proper certificates for all communications
  • Access Controls: Implement role-based access controls

Desktop Security:

  • Antivirus: Deploy and maintain antivirus on all virtual desktops
  • Patch Management: Implement automated patch management
  • Data Loss Prevention: Configure DLP policies and controls
  • USB Controls: Restrict USB device access based on security policy

Conclusion

Deploying VMware Horizon 8 successfully requires careful planning, methodical implementation, and ongoing optimization. This guide has provided a comprehensive foundation for building a production-ready VDI environment that can scale with your organization’s needs.

Key success factors include:

  • Proper Infrastructure Planning: Ensure adequate compute, storage, and network resources
  • Methodical Implementation: Follow a structured approach to deployment
  • Continuous Monitoring: Implement comprehensive monitoring and alerting
  • Regular Optimization: Continuously tune and optimize the environment
  • Security Focus: Maintain strong security practices throughout

With this foundation in place, you can expand your Horizon environment with additional features like App Volumes for application management, Dynamic Environment Manager for user personalization, and Unified Access Gateway for secure remote access.

“A well-planned and properly implemented Horizon deployment can transform how users access their applications and data, providing flexibility, security, and performance that traditional desktop computing cannot match.” – VMware Solutions Architect

Must Read

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *