12. Instant Clone Pool Maintenance Operations

As a minimum requirement, you must complete  Lab 2 and  Lab 6  before staring this lab. However for testing this lab in Part 4, you must  complete all the labs starting from Lab no. 2 to Lab no. 11

Objectives and what you will learn in this Lab

  • The overall objective is to demonstrate what might be involved and how complicated maintenance operations might get when having to update the base image natively.
  • We will demonstrate  Smart Provisioning and how this is changed
    • Smart Provisioning with SysPrep only works in MODEB
  • The Base Master Image for instant clones is still in Audit Mode and a SysPrep operation is required to bring it out of Audit Mode so that we are able to do a Clone Prep after the Base Image has been updated with the VLC Application
  • Notice that in Maintenance Operations, you might be required to uninstall the App Volumes Agent and then re-install the App Volumes agent. In this scenario, it was discovered that not uninstalling the App Volumes agent causes the OS Optimization tool to break the image using the Generalize (SysPrep) feature.
  • Notice that if we have a base image that is Audit Mode we cannot use that base image for Clone Prep operations, only SysPrep
  • Notice that if you choose to change the Instant Clone Smart Provisioning setting (this is always a Maintenance operation, it can never be changed by default when a Pool is created) ModeA can only work with Clone Prep
Part 1. Custom Smart Provisioning configuration for Instant Clone Pools

With Instant Clone Pools, by default Smart Provisioning is in Mode B. Meaning that no Parent images will be created in the hierarchy

In this part we will go through the process of editing to Mode A, to ensure a Parent image is provisioned.

  1. On your Controlcenter server
    • open the Remote Desktops > Site 1 folder
      • launch the Horizon-01a.RDP shortcut
  • Note! you should automatically be authenticated with the account [email protected] with the password Pa$$w0rd
  1. On the Horizon-01a Desktop
    • select the Start button
      • right-click
    • select Run
  1. In the Run window
    • next to Open:
      • enter adsiedit.msc
        • select OK

Connecting to the Horizon DB using ADSI Edit is covered in the below Knowledge Base

  • https://kb.omnissa.com/s/article/2012377
  1. In the ADSI Edit window
    • select ADSI Edit
      • right-click
        • In the Menu
          • select Connect to..
  1. In the Connection Settings window
    • In the Connection Point area
      • next to Select or type a Distinguished Name or Naming Context:
        • select the Radio button
      • below Select or type a Distinguished Name or Naming Contect:
        • enter dc=vdi,dc=vmware,dc=int
    • In the Computer area
      • next to Select or type a domain or server: (Server | Domain [:port])
        • enter localhost:389
    • select OK

Note the update to this path, that being the change from dc=vmware to dc=horizon is set for the 2503 ESB release

  1. In the ADSI Edit window
    • select the Default naming contect
      • EXPAND
      • select  DC=vdi,dc=vmware,dc=int
        • EXPAND
  1. In the ADSI Edit window
    • in the inventory
      • select OU=Server Groups
    • in OU=Server Groups area
      • select CN=W11-BLR-INST
        • right-click
  1. In the CN=W11INST Properties window
    • scroll down until you find the pae-ProvisionScheme attribute
      • select the pae-ProvisionScheme attribute
        • select Edit
  1. In the String Attribute Editor window
    • In the Value area,
      • type ModeA
    • to close the window
      • select OK,
    • to close the CN=W11-BLR-INST Properties window
      • select OK,
    • Close the ADSI Edit window

MODE A is only works Clone Prep not Sysprep maintenance Operations

  • As a result of this The base image needs to be modified and taken out of Audit Mode for Clone Prep to work
  • Changing the Base Image out of Audit Mode Requires a Sysprep of the base image
  • When we use the OS Optimization tool, we have to remove the App Volumes Agent first
Part 2. Updating the Master Image
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • from the desktop,
      • launch your Site 1- Bangalore browser
    • in the browsers Favourites bar
      • select the vcenter-01a shortcut
  1. In the VMware vSphere login page
    • in the username area
    • in the password area
      • enter Pa$$w0rd
    • select LOGIN
  1. In the vSphere Admin Console
    • under Hosts & Clusters
      • select Bangalore,
    • expand your in inventory
      • select W11INSTMaster and right-click
        • from the pop-up
          • select Power > Power On
  1. In the vSphere Admin Console
    • to the right, note you are view the W11INSTMaster details
      • select the Summary tab
    • in the Summary area
      • select LAUNCH WEB CONSOLE
  1. On the W11INSTMaster desktop
    • from the Desktop
      • select the Control Panel
      • in the Control Panel window
        • below Programs
          • select Uninstall a program
  1. In Control Panel
    • Programs and Features
      • select App Volumes Agent
        • select Uninstall
      • In the Programs and Features window
        • select Yes
      • In the App Volumes Agent window
        • select Yes

a reboot and automatic login will now occur

  1. On the W11INSTMaster desktop
    • from the Desktop
      • select the software shortcut
  1. On the File Explorer window
    • Software folder
      • select and open the Horizon > OSOptimizations Tools folder
        • select and right-click OmnissaHorizonOSOptimizationTool-x86_64-xxxx
          • In the dropdown menu
            • select Run as administrator
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • in the bottom right corner
      • select Analyze
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • top Menu Bar
      • select Generalize
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • Generalize area
      • configure the following
        • next to Time Zone : - from the dropdown
          • select (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
        • next to Auto Logon
          • select Uncheck the checkbox
        • next to Password
          • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • next to Automatic Restart
          • select the checkbox
    • In the bottom right-corner of the Generalize area
      • select Generalize

The reason we have deselected Auto Logon is to demonstrate an issue we are seeing with this version of Software

The Sysprep Process will start and then bomb out

  1. On the File Explorer window
    • Software > Horizon > OSOptimizations Tools folder
      • select and right-click OmnissaHorizonOSOptimizationTool-x86_64-xxxx
        • In the dropdown menu
          • select Run as administrator
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • in the bottom right corner
      • select Analyze
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • top Menu Bar
      • select Generalize
  1. In the Windows OS Optimization Tool for Omnissa Horizon
    • Generalize area
      • configure the following
        • next to Time Zone : - from the dropdown
          • select (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
        • next to Auto Logon
          • ensure the checkbox is unchecked
        • next to Password
          • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • next to Automatic Restart
          • select the checkbox

As we mentioned the reason we have deselected Auto Logon the first time is to demonstrate an issue we are seeing with this version of Software. On second round we select Auto Logon

Also note that the Base Image is no longer in Audit Mode

If we were to look at the Sysprep Panther logs within this image, the Sysprep process was successful, the changes we wanted to apply were not successful.

However, after selecting Generalize, follow closely what happens

  • In the bottom right-corner of the Generalize area
    • select Generalize
  1. On the W11INSTMaster
    • note that several reboots occur.
    • note that Autologon does not occur
    • when the login interface appears
      • In the top right corner
        • select Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete
  1. On the W11INSTMaster
    • In the login area
      • under Administrator
        • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select the Submit button

It appears the configuration from the first round of Generalize was applied not the second

Continue with Part 2

Part 3. Updating a Windows based Instant Clone Pool

We have three steps in this Part

  1. We will re-install the App Volumes agent
  2. We will update the Master image with VLC
  3. Update the Desktop Pool using the updated Master Image
Step 1. Deploying the App Volumes Agent
  1. On the W11INSTMaster desktop
    • from the Taskbar
      • select and right-click the START button
        • from the pop-up
          • select Run
  1. From the Run window
    • next to Open:
      • enter \\horizon-01a.techseals.co\software
    • select OK
  1. In the Software folder
    • On the W11INSTMaster desktop
      • select and open the software shortcut  to
        • browse to App Volumes > 2412 > Installation
        • select and double-click Setup.exe
  1. In the App Volumes Installer Setup deploy wizard
    • "Welcome Wizard"
      • select Next
  1. In the App Volumes Installer Setup deploy wizard
    • App Volumes Install Screen
      • note that Install App Volumes Agent is the default
      • select Install
  1. In the App Volumes Agent Setup deploy wizard
    • "Welcome Wizard"
      • select Next
  1. In the App Volumes Agent  deploy wizard
    • below App Volumes Manager Address:
      • enter appvol-01a.techseals.co
        • select Next

Note, we are not going to select the check box next to Disable certificate validation for App Volumes Manager. For production environments this is considered best practice. We will demonstrate in a later lab for App Volumes how to update App Volumes manager with CA signed Certificates.

  1. In the App Volumes Agent  deploy wizard
    • next to Non-persistent or multi-session machines
      • ensure the radio button is selected (default)
    • select Next

From App Volumes 2406 virtual machines that are not deleted or refreshed at log off are now supported

  1. In the App Volumes Agent  deploy wizard
    • Ready to Install App Volumes Agent
      • select Install
  1. In the App Volumes Agent  Setup wizard
    • select Finish
  1. In the App Volumes Agent  Setup window
    • select Yes
  1. On the W11INSTMaster
    • In the top right corner
      • select Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete
  1. On the W11INSTMaster
    • In the login area
      • under Administrator
        • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select the Submit button
Step 2. Updating the Master Image with VLC Player
  1. On the W11INSTMaster desktop
    • from the Taskbar
      • select and right-click the START button
        • from the pop-up
          • select Run
  1. From the Run window
    • next to Open:
      • enter \\horizon-01a.techseals.co\software
    • select OK
  1. On the File Explorer window
    • Software folder
      • select and open Applications
        • In the Applications folder
        • select and right-click vlc-3.0.10-win64
          • In the dropdown menu
            • select Open
  1. In the Open File - Security Warning window
    • select Run
  1. In the Installer Language window
    • select OK
  1. In the VLC media Player Setup wizard
    • Welcome to VLC media player Setup
      • select Next
  1. In the VLC media Player Setup wizard
    • Licence Agreement
      • select Next
  1. In the VLC media Player Setup wizard
    • Choose Components
      • select Next
  1. In the VLC media Player Setup wizard
    • Choose Install location
      • select Install
  1. In the VLC media Player Setup wizard
    • Completing VLC media player Setup
      • select Finish
  1. On the W11INSTMaster desktop
    • close all windows
  1. In the W11INSTMaster virtual machine
    • select and right-click the START button
      • from the Menu
        • select Shut down or sign out > Shut down
  1. In the vSphere client
    • In the Host & Clusters inventory
      • select and right-click W11INSTMaster
    • from the pop-out menu
      • select Snapshots > Take Snapshot...
  1. In the Take Snapshot window
    • next to Name
      • enter VLC Install
    • select CREATE
Step 3. Updating the Desktop Pool as a Maintenance Operation
  1. On your Controlcenter server
    • Site 1 - Bangalore browser
      • from the Favourites bar
        • select the Horizon Site 1 shortcut
      • In the Horizon Login window
        • User Name area
          • enter Administrator
        • Password area
          • enter Pa$$w0rd
        • select SIGN IN
  1. In the Horizon Admin Console
    • In the left pane
      • under Inventory,
        • select Desktops
  1. In the Desktop Pools area
    • next to  W11-BLR-INST
      • select the checkbox
        • select EDIT
  1. In the Edit Pool - W11-BLR-INST Desktop pool
    • select the Guest Customization tab
  1. In the Customization Tab area
    • change the radio button selection from
      • Use a customization specification (SysPrep)
        • to
    • Use ClonePrep
      • In the bottom right corner
        • select OK
  1. In the W11-BLR-INST property area
    • Summary tab
      • next to MAINTAIN
        • from the Dropdown
          • select Schedule
  1. In the Schedule Push image wizard
    • step 1. Image
      • next to VLC Install
        • select the radio button
          • select NEXT
  1. In the Add Pool wizard
    • step 2. Schedule
      • next to Force users to log off
        • select the radio button
      • next to Stop at first error
        • uncheck the checkbox
      • select NEXT
  1. In the Schedule Push image wizard
    • step 3. Ready to Complete
      • select FINISH
  1. Under the Summary tab,
    • scroll down to Secondary Image
      • view the progress of the pool being Provisioned
    • to the right notice the State is Publishing

NOTE: The page does not dynamically update. In the top right corner of the page, select the  refresh icon.  

Move to step 9

  1. On your vSphere Client
    • In the Hosts & Clusters view
      • In the Recent Tasks area
        • monitor the progress of the provisioning and the steps
  1. In the Horizon Admin Console
    • W11-BLR-INST properties
      • Summary tab
      • when the provisioning is done,
        • note the State will say Published
  1. In the Horizon Admin Console
    • W11-BLR-INST properties
      • Next to the Summary tab
        • select Machines
  1. In Machines area
    • to view the Machine Status ,
      • use the scroll bar at the bottom of the window
        • scroll right.
    • refresh  until the Status shows Available for your Machines
  1. On your ControlCenter server
    • switch back to your vSphere client
    • In the Hosts & Clusters Inventory
  • Note that you now have note only a Replica Image but a Parent Image
  • This is as a result of us enabling ModeA which an Instant Clone Smart Provisioning feature, in an earlier in this exercise
Part 4. Testing the updated Instant clone pool
  1. On your ControlCenter server,
    • switch to your   W11Client-01a.RDP Remote Desktops session

The w11Client-01a session should still be logged in with the techseals\craig account

  1. On your W11Client-01a desktop,
    • In the Web Intelligent Hub
      • under the Apps area
        • select the Enterprise_Desktop entitlement
      • In the Open Omnissa Horizon Client? window
        • select Open Omnissa Horizon Client

 

  1. On your W11Client-01a desktop,
    • note you have a VLC Player shortcut on your desktop
      • close all  windows
  1. On your W11Client-01a desktop,
    • Log off Desktop
      • In the Disconnect and log off desktop?
        • select OK
  1. On the ControlCenter server
    • Site 1 Chrome browser
      • switch to the vSphere client
      • In the Hosts and Clusters inventory
      • Notice that you have a Parent Image
      • When we have a Parent Image, we called this ModeA

Note ModeB is the default and ModeA is not recommended for Production environments anymore

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