Those that follow my adventures with EUC will probably be aware that I’m a huge fan of Linux on the VDI desktop. The cost benefits are self-evident for task and knowledge-based workers; and for power users like developers, the platform can provide an easier route to a lot of their applications. Continue reading
Horizon
Automating VDI Template Creation with VMware Code Stream and HashiCorp Packer – Part 3: Automating the Solution
In part 2 we automated the installation of our VMware Horizon agents, including AppVolumes and Dynamic Environment Manager. We also patched our template and applied optimization settings using the VMware OSOT fling. In this final part, we automate the entire solution from end-to-end using VMware CI/CD tool, Code Stream. In the end, with one-click, we will generate our template ready for use. Continue reading
Automating VDI Template Creation with VMware Code Stream and HashiCorp Packer – Part 2: Installing the VDI Agents
In part 1 of this series, we built a Windows 10 desktop using HashiCorp Packer. Now we will script the installation of the VDI agents needed for our VMware Horizon environment. After this, we will patch the box with the latest updates, before applying the VMware OS Optimization Tool to produce a lean and clean image. In the last part, we will automate the solution using VMware Code Stream.
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Automating VDI Template Creation with VMware Code Stream and HashiCorp Packer – Part 1: Building Windows
In previous consultancies I’ve worked, it was common practice to frequently patch corporate VDI templates. Whilst continuous patching is a good thing, it is quite often laborious. Any attempt to automate this is seen as difficult and organizations often give up and continue with manual processes. Here I will show how it can be done using Code Stream and HashiCorp Packer. Continue reading
Wednesday Tidbit: Enable the Timing Profiler in VMware View 7.2
On 20 June 2017 VMware released the latest version of Horizon View – 7.2. Whilst this release contained a number of product features and enhancements, one of the ones most helpful to teams supporting VDI implementations in the new Helpdesk Tool Continue reading
Securing VMware applications with Google Authenticator
Earlier this week I created a tenant in HobbitCloud for a friend with his own development company. He needs to leverage the power of Infrastructure-as-a-Service, but is unwilling to move to the public cloud for all his workloads just yet. However, now that HobbitCloud is accessible externally, it was clear I had to increase security. Continue reading
Uninstall the Horizon View Toolbox before upgrading your Connection Servers
Late last year I worked on a vRealize Automation project for customer in the training industry. They required their users to be able to request a Horizon View desktop from the self-service catalog, and subject to approval, one is provisioned. This week I wanted to replicate this in the lab as a full Desktop-as-a-Service model. Continue reading
Trialling Windows 10 Linked Clones with VMware Horizon View 7
Earlier this week I wanted to trial Windows 10 with VMware Horizon View and User Environment Manager in my lab.
Unfortunately setting up Linked Clones like this isn’t straight forward from a licencing standpoint, so a few adjustments had to be made. Continue reading
Deploy VMware View Access Point the easy way
In my final part in my series on Implementing a VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure with Horizon View 6.2 I showed how to deploy the View Access Point using ovftool. However, thanks to Chris Halstead there is an easier way. He has developed a tool to take the pain out of the deployment. Continue reading
Check out the VMware Horizon View Toolbox 2 fling
Today VMware Labs released a new version of the Horizon Toolbox 2. This is a useful add-on which extends the management capabilities of any existing VMware View implementation. If you administer a VDI installation on a daily basis then I’m sure you’ll find a number of its features useful. Continue reading
