You can create an instant-clone floating desktop pool for Linux virtual machines using the Add Desktop Pool wizard. After creating an instant-clone floating desktop pool, you can use the Linux virtual machines as remote desktops in a Horizon 8 deployment.
Horizon Agent for Linux only supports instant-clone desktop pools created from virtual machines running the following operating systems:
- Ubuntu 18.04/20.04/22.04
- RHEL 7.x/8.x/9.x
- CentOS 7.8/7.9
- SLED/SLES 12.x/15.x
- Ubuntu 18.04/20.04/22.04
- RHEL 7.9
- RHEL 8.3 or later
- RHEL 9.0 or later
- CentOS 7.9
The following procedure provides guidelines for configuring the mandatory settings for a Linux-based instant-clone desktop pool. For more information about creating instant-clone desktop pools, see the Windows Desktops and Applications in Horizon document.
Prerequisites
- Familiarize yourself with the steps for creating virtual machines in vCenter Server and installing Linux operating systems. For more information, see Create a Virtual Machine and Install Linux.
- Understand the steps for AD integration using the PBISO authentication solution or Samba Winbind offline join. For more information, see Configure PowerBroker Identity Services Open (PBISO) Authentication or Configure the Samba Offline Domain Join.
Note: To create an instant-clone desktop pool from a Linux virtual machine running RHEL 9.x/8.x, perform the AD integration using Samba Winbind offline join. Instant-clone desktop pools are not supported for RHEL 9.x/8.x virtual machines that use PBISO authentication.
- Familiarize yourself with the installation steps for Horizon Agent for Linux. For more information, see Install Horizon Agent on a Linux Virtual Machine.
- Understand the steps to take a snapshot of a powered off Linux VM using VMware vSphere Client. See "Take a Snapshot in the VMware Host Client" in vSphere Single Host Management - VMware Host Client, available from VMware vSphere Documentation.
- Verify that vCenter Server is added to Horizon Connection Server.
Procedure
Results
In Horizon Console, you can view the desktop VMs as they are added to the pool by selecting Inventory > Desktops.
After you create the pool, do not delete the golden image or remove it from the vCenter Server inventory if the pool exists. If you remove the golden image VM from the vCenter Server inventory by mistake, you must add it back and then do a push image using the current image.
What to do next
Entitle users to access the pool. In Horizon Console, select the desktop pool, select , and add users or groups.