You can create an instant-clone floating desktop pool from a Linux virtual machine using the Add Desktop Pool wizard in Horizon Console. After creating an instant-clone floating desktop pool, you can use the Linux virtual machines as remote desktops in a VMware 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
- Debian 10.x/11.x
- RHEL 7.9/8.x/9.x
- CentOS 7.9
- SLED/SLES 15.x
- Ubuntu 18.04/20.04/22.04
- Debian 10.x
- RHEL 7.9/8.x/9.x
- CentOS 7.9
Prerequisites
- Verify that the virtual switch that the instant-clone VMs connect to has enough ports to support the expected number of VMs. Each network card on a VM requires one port.
- Verify that vCenter Server is added to Horizon Connection Server.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Verify that you have the golden image ready. For more information, see Configure a Golden Image Linux Virtual Machine for Instant Clones.
Note: You cannot create an instant-clone desktop pool from a VM template. You must first convert the VM template to a VM.
- Gather the configuration information for the pool. See Worksheet for Creating an Instant-Clone Linux Desktop Pool.
- Verify that you have added an instant-clone domain administrator in Horizon Console. See Horizon 8 Installation and Upgrade on the VMware Horizon Documentation portal.
- Before creating an instant-clone desktop pool, take a snapshot of the golden image. You must shut down the golden image in vCenter Server before taking the snapshot. See "Take a Snapshot in the VMware Host Client" in vSphere Single Host Management - VMware Host Client on the VMware vSphere Documentation portal.
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. See "Entitling Users and Groups" in Horizon 8 Administration on the VMware Horizon Documentation portal.