The architecture that this guide describes is based on VMware Horizon 8, which provides a complete end-to-end solution delivering Microsoft Windows virtual desktops to users on a wide variety of endpoint devices. Virtual desktops are dynamically assembled on demand, providing users with pristine, yet personalized, desktops each time they log in.
VMware Horizon 8 provides a complete virtual desktop delivery system by integrating several distributed components with advanced configuration tools that simplify the creation and real-time management of the VDI.
For more information, see the Horizon resources page and VMware Horizon Frequently Asked Questions. The core Horizon components include:
- Horizon Connection Server (HCS)—Installed on servers in the data center, HCS brokers client connections, authenticates users, entitles users by mapping them to desktops or pools, establishes secure connections from clients to desktops, supports single sign-on, and sets and applies policies.
- Horizon Administrator—Provides administrator functions such as deploying and managing Horizon desktops and pools, setting, and controlling user authentication, and more.
- Unified Access Gateway—Provides a way to securely deliver connections that require a higher level of security to access, such as remote connections from the Internet.
- Horizon Portal—Provides access to links for downloading full Horizon clients. The portal enables the HTML access feature to run a Horizon desktop inside a supported browser.
- vCenter Server—Provides centralized management and configuration to the entire virtual desktop and host infrastructure. It facilitates configuration, provisioning, and management services.