VMware Horizon 6 - part 3 setup RDS Host

In VMware Horizon 6 an RDS Host is the server that hosts Windows-based programs or the full Windows desktop for Remote Desktop Services clients.

This part will cover the next configuration steps: install RDS Host, install View Agent and configure the Active Directory GPO.

Blog series

VMware Horizon 6 - part 1 install Connection Server
VMware Horizon 6 - part 2 basic configuration
VMware Horizon 6 - part 3 setup RDS Host
VMware Horizon 6 - part 4 install View Composer
VMware Horizon 6 - part 5 setup Linked-Clone Desktop
VMware Horizon 6 - part 6 deploy RDS Desktops
VMware Horizon 6 - part 7 deploy RDS Application Pools
VMware Horizon 6 - part 8 connect View Desktop

 

Setup the RDS Host

From the vSphere Web Client deploy a Windows 2012 R2 Server.

 

Add Remote Desktop Service role

When the server deployment has been completed, from the Windows 2012 R2 Server open the Server Manager and click Add roles and features. When the Wizard starts, click Next.

Select Role-based or feature-based installation option then click Next.

Select the name of the server and click Next.

Select Remote Desktop Service and click Next.

Leave default features and click Next.

Click Next to continue.

Click Remote Desktop Session Host role.

The Add Roles and Features Wizard window opens. Click Add Features.

The Remote Desktop Session Host role is now selected. Click Next.

Click Install to start the selected role installation.

The screen shows the installation progress. To complete the installation the server must be restarted.

When the server reboots, Remote Desktop Services is successfully installed.

 

Install View Agent on the RDS Host

The next step is to install View Agent on the RDS host. Copy the agent  file in the server and run the installer.

Accept the EULA and click Next.

Leave default path and click Next.

Enter the Horizon View Connection Server name and login credentials. The account has to be member of the AD group View Administrator defined during the Connection Server installation. Click Next.

Click Install to begin installation.

The program is being installed.

When the View Agent has been installed, click Finish to exit the wizard.

Reboot the server.

 

Configure Active Directory GPO

Once RDS Host is configured, we define user security and access settings for RDS services as GPO.

Open Active Directory Users and Computers and create a new Organizational Unit (OU). Right click the target domain then select New > Organizational Unit.

Enter the OU Name then click OK to confirm.

Move the RDS Host server to the new OU. Click Yes to confirm the move.

Now open the Group Policy Management and create a new GPO.

Enter a Name then click OK.

Edit the GPO and navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Window Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment. Click Allow log on locally.

Tick Define these policy settings and click Add User or Group button. Add the users/groups you wish to authorize then click OK.

Click OK to confirm selected users/groups.

Now click the policy Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services.

Tick Define these policy settings and click Add User or Group button. Add the users/groups you wish to authorize then click OK.

Click OK to confirm selected users/groups.

Navigate now to the Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates: Policy definitions (ADMX files) retrieved from the local machine > System > Group Policy. Click the policy User Group Policy loopback processing mode.

Select Enabled option then click OK.

The GPO configuration is complete.

Link the configured GPO to the OU previously configured. Right click the OU and select Link an Existing GPO.

Select the GPO and click OK.

The GPO is now linked to the OU.

The Group Policy Setting has been successfully configured.

 

Create a Farm for RDS Hosts

Next step is the creation of a Farm. Access the Horizon View Administrator console and navigate to Resources > Farms tab. Click on Add button to create a new Farm.

Assign an ID and set the Farm Settings. Click Next to continue.

Select the RDS Host to add to the Farm then click Next.

Click Finish to complete the Farm creation.

The Farm has been successfully created.

Next part will cover View Composer installation used for the linked-clone desktop pools.