VMware Horizon 6 upgrade to version 7

VMware Horizon is a solution that allows to deliver virtual or hosted desktops and applications through a single platform.

The upgrade process is pretty straightforward but should be planned carefully to avoid service interruption.

 

Features introduced in Horizon 7

The new version introduces some new features that extend the product functionality.

Instant Clones - allow to clone a virtual desktop in memory from an existing running virtual desktop and do not rely on additional components, such as View Composer.

Smart Policies - the administrators have the possibility to enable, disable or control some features based on not only who the user is, but on the many different variables available through Horizon: client device, IP address, pool name, etc.

Blast Extreme - added the support for the new Blast Extreme display technology, purpose built and optimized for the mobile cloud. This technology supports the broadest range of client devices that are already H.264 capable. Customers can choose between Blast Extreme, PCoIP, and RDP.

True SSO - provides the ability to seamlessly sign onto a virtual desktop a single time using two-factor authentication via Identity Manager or Workspace ONE.

Cloud Pod Architecture - now scales to support 50,000 sessions across up to 10 sites, with 25 pods of infrastructure.

 

Upgrade procedure

For a safe procedure, stop current running pools and provisioning and perform the upgrade following this order:

• Composer Server
• Connection Servers
• Security Servers (if any)

 

Upgrade Composer Server

First component to upgrade is the Composer Server. Login to the server and run the installer.

The wizard detects an existing installation. Click Next to perform the upgrade.

Accept the EULA then click Next.

Leave default location and click Next.

Specify the Data Source Name for the Horizon Composer database by clicking the ODBC DNS Setup button.

Select the correct ODBC DNS and click OK.

Enter the ODBC Data Source Administrator credentials then click Next.

Leave default SOAP port and specify the SSL Certificate type. Click Next.

Click Install to proceed with the upgrade.

The upgrade is being installed.

When the installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.

Click Yes to reboot the server.

 

Upgrade Connection Server

Login to the Connection Server and run the installer.

A previous installation is detected. Click Next to continue.

Accept the EULA then click Next.

Click Install to begin installation.

The upgrade is being installed in the system.

When the installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.

From the Connection Server, access the Horizon View Administrator web console and click Edit License to insert the new license.

Type the license key then click OK.

The license has been applied successfully.

 

Upgrade View Agent

Login to the RDS Host Server and run the View Agent installer.

The system detects a previous installation. Click Next to continue.

Accept the EULA then click Next.

Select the IP protocol to be used then click Next.

Select features required in your environment and click Next.

Specify the Horizon Connection Server and the Administrator credentials to register the machine then click Next.

Since we are performing an upgrade, the installer detects the agent is already installed. Click OK to continue.

Click Install to proceed with the upgrade.

The upgrade is being installed.

When the installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.

Click Yes to reboot the RDS Host Server.

 

Access the Management Console

After the upgrade, during the access to the web management console from a client you may experience the issue the system is not able to connect to the Connection Server and the page displays a blank error window.

To fix the problem, login the Connection Server and locate the setting.properties file in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware View\Server\sslgateway\conf. Right click the file and select Open with option choosing the tool Notepad as editor.

In setting.properties file add the line:

checkOrigin=false

Restart the VMware Horizon View Connection Server service.

From the client, open the favorite browser and type the Horizon Administrator's login page address and enter the administrative credentials. Click Log In.

Now the access to the Horizon 7 Administrator console is successful.

The upgrade procedure is now complete and you can take benefit of the new available features.