Setting up VMware Horizon for remote workers involves deploying a virtual desktop infrastructure that delivers secure, centralized desktop environments accessible from anywhere. You'll need proper infrastructure, including virtualization platforms and networking components, then install the Connection Server, create desktop pools, and configure secure access methods. This process enables your distributed team to access consistent work environments while maintaining security and centralized management control.
What is VMware Horizon and why do remote workers need it?
VMware Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure platform that delivers Windows desktops and applications to remote workers through a centralized system. Instead of running desktop environments on local devices, Horizon hosts them in your data centre or cloud infrastructure, streaming the interface to users' endpoints. This approach separates the computing environment from the physical device accessing it.
Remote workers benefit from this architecture because they can access their full work desktop from any device with network connectivity. A team member can start work on an office workstation, continue on a laptop from home, and check urgent tasks from a tablet whilst travelling. The desktop environment remains identical across all these scenarios because it exists centrally rather than locally.
The platform provides several advantages for distributed teams. You gain centralized management of all desktop environments, making updates and patches straightforward to deploy across your entire workforce. Security improves because sensitive data stays in your data centre rather than residing on potentially vulnerable endpoint devices. Users experience consistent performance and functionality regardless of their device's specifications, since the processing happens on your infrastructure rather than their local hardware.
What infrastructure do you need before setting up VMware Horizon?
You need a virtualization platform as your foundation, either vSphere running on your own hardware or VMware Cloud infrastructure. This platform hosts the virtual machines that become your users' desktops. Your hardware must meet specific requirements: sufficient CPU cores to handle concurrent desktop sessions, adequate RAM to allocate to each virtual desktop, and fast storage systems that can handle multiple simultaneous read/write operations without performance degradation.
Storage considerations matter significantly for VMware Horizon deployments. You'll need high-performance storage that can support IOPS (input/output operations per second) demands from multiple active desktops. Many deployments use SSD or NVMe storage to ensure responsive desktop performance. Calculate your storage needs based on desktop image sizes, user data requirements, and the number of concurrent users you'll support.
Networking infrastructure requires careful planning. You need sufficient bandwidth to handle remote desktop protocol traffic between your infrastructure and remote workers. Each active desktop session consumes bandwidth, with typical requirements ranging from 150-300 Kbps for standard office work to several Mbps for graphics-intensive applications. Your network must also support the protocols Horizon uses for desktop delivery and management.
Active Directory integration is required for user authentication and management. Horizon relies on Active Directory to identify users, assign desktop entitlements, and manage permissions. You'll also need DNS services properly configured to resolve hostnames for your Horizon components. Plan your bandwidth allocation based on expected concurrent users, their application requirements, and network conditions between your infrastructure and remote locations.
How do you install and configure the Horizon Connection Server?
The Connection Server component acts as the broker between remote workers and their virtual desktops. You deploy it by running the installer on a Windows Server machine that meets VMware's specifications. The installation wizard guides you through initial configuration, including selecting standard or replica server deployment. Standard servers handle authentication and desktop brokering, whilst replica servers provide redundancy and load distribution.
SSL certificate configuration comes next and matters for secure remote access. You'll either import a certificate from your certificate authority or generate a self-signed certificate for testing environments. Production deployments should use certificates from trusted authorities to avoid security warnings when users connect. The certificate secures communication between users' Horizon Clients and your Connection Server, protecting credentials and session data.
Administrator account setup determines who can manage your Horizon environment. You'll add Active Directory users or groups with administrative privileges, assigning roles that control what each administrator can configure. Horizon supports granular permission models, letting you delegate specific management tasks without granting full administrative access.
Database connections enable Horizon to store configuration data and events. You'll point the Connection Server to either the built-in database suitable for smaller deployments or an external SQL Server database for larger environments. The configuration also includes setting up event logging, defining connection policies, and establishing session timeout parameters that balance security with user convenience.
How do you create and deploy virtual desktops for remote workers?
Building desktop pools starts with creating a master desktop image that contains your operating system, applications, and configurations. You install Windows on a virtual machine, add all necessary software your users need, apply updates, and configure settings. This master image becomes the template for all desktops in the pool. Take a snapshot of this configured machine to preserve its state.
You'll choose between three desktop pool types based on your requirements. Linked clones create desktops that share a base image whilst maintaining individual user changes in separate delta disks, saving storage space. Instant clones go further by rapidly provisioning desktops from the master image using VMware's instant clone technology, offering the fastest deployment and lowest storage footprint. Full clones create complete, independent copies of the master image, providing maximum flexibility but requiring more storage.
Desktop pool configuration involves defining specifications like how many desktops to create, naming patterns, and resource allocation. You'll set policies for what happens when users log off: some pools delete the desktop and create a fresh one next login (non-persistent), whilst others preserve user changes between sessions (persistent). Non-persistent pools work well for task workers with standardized needs, whilst persistent pools suit users requiring customization.
User entitlements connect specific users or Active Directory groups to desktop pools. You assign permissions that determine which users can access which pools. A user might have access to a standard office desktop pool for daily work and a separate high-performance pool for specialized applications. These entitlements integrate with Active Directory, simplifying management as users join, move within, or leave your organization.
How do remote workers connect to their VMware Horizon desktops?
Remote workers install the Horizon Client application appropriate for their device. VMware provides clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus an HTML5 web client requiring no installation. Users download the client from VMware or your internal distribution system, run the installer, and follow the setup wizard. The client provides the interface for connecting to and interacting with virtual desktops.
Connection setup requires users to enter your Connection Server address, typically a URL you provide. When they launch the client and input this server address, the client establishes a secure connection to your infrastructure. Users then authenticate with their Active Directory credentials. After successful authentication, the client displays available desktop pools based on their entitlements.
Authentication methods vary based on your security requirements. Basic username and password authentication works for standard deployments. You can implement multi-factor authentication requiring additional verification like mobile app approval or hardware tokens. Smart card authentication provides another option for high-security environments. These methods integrate with your existing authentication infrastructure.
Common connection issues include network connectivity problems, certificate errors, and authentication failures. Users should verify their internet connection works properly and that firewalls aren't blocking required ports. Certificate errors often result from self-signed certificates or expired certificates requiring renewal. Authentication failures typically involve incorrect credentials or expired passwords requiring reset through normal Active Directory processes.
Performance optimization depends on network conditions and protocol settings. The Horizon Client adapts to available bandwidth, reducing display quality when connections are slow. Users can adjust client settings for their specific situation, prioritizing either visual quality or responsiveness. Closing unnecessary applications within the virtual desktop and using wired connections instead of Wi-Fi when possible both improve the remote desktop experience.
What security measures should you implement for remote access?
Multi-factor authentication adds an important security layer by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple means. Beyond username and password, users might approve login attempts through a mobile app, enter codes from hardware tokens, or use biometric verification. This approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.
The Unified Access Gateway (UAG) serves as a secure entry point for external connections. You deploy UAG in your DMZ or edge network, where it receives incoming connections from remote workers. UAG terminates external connections and establishes separate internal connections to your Horizon infrastructure, preventing direct external access to internal systems. This architecture protects your Connection Servers and virtual desktop infrastructure from direct internet exposure.
SSL/TLS encryption protects data transmitted between users and your infrastructure. All communication between Horizon Clients and your servers should use current TLS versions with strong cipher suites. This encryption prevents eavesdropping on user sessions and protects credentials during authentication. Regular certificate renewal maintains this security layer without interruption.
Session timeout policies balance security with usability. You'll configure how long idle sessions remain active before automatic disconnect, how long disconnected sessions persist before termination, and whether users can have multiple simultaneous sessions. Shorter timeouts improve security by limiting exposure windows, whilst longer timeouts reduce user interruption from brief network issues.
Endpoint security considerations include determining what devices can connect to your virtual desktops. You might require endpoint compliance checks verifying antivirus software is current, operating systems are patched, and devices meet security baselines before allowing connections. These checks help prevent compromised devices from accessing your infrastructure.
Monitoring tools provide visibility into your Horizon environment's security posture. You'll track failed authentication attempts that might indicate attack attempts, monitor active sessions for unusual patterns, and review logs for security events. Regular monitoring helps you detect and respond to potential security issues before they become significant problems.
VMware Horizon provides a robust platform for delivering secure remote desktop access to distributed teams. By properly planning your infrastructure, carefully configuring security measures, and following deployment best practices, you create an environment where remote workers access their applications and data securely from any location. At Falconcloud, we understand the importance of reliable infrastructure for virtual desktop deployments. Our cloud services provide the performance and scalability needed to support demanding VDI environments, with flexible configurations that adapt as your remote workforce grows.