VMWare View 5- Managing Automated Pools with Full VMs

The great revolution in VDI approaches

• Manual - VM created with vSphere infrastructure
• Full Virtual Machines - Creation  of Virtual Machine from templates.
• Linked Clones -  Creation of VMs from parent VM snapshots

This article will describe the following Automated Pools with Full VMs:

• Preparing the reference virtual machines
• Creating a guest customization specifications
• Creating an automated pool with full virtual machines
• Configuring automated pool settings
• Monitoring the automated pool

Preparing the referencc virtual machines

• Install operating system and View agent.
• IPCONFIG /RELEASE to release static IP address it is assigned.  
• Use Customization Specification Manager to customize the virtual desktop

Customization Specification Manager

Note: You can use a existing customized SYSPREP file if desired.













Note: Allow View to inject computer names by selecting USE THE VIRTUAL MACHINE NAME option.

Note: A volume license key (MAK or MVLS) is required that can be used multiple times.  Invalid key will not deploy the clients correctly.

Note: Since this will be a template that will spawn other VMs, AUTOMATICALLY LOGIN AS ADMINISTRATOR is not used.

Note: View QuickPrep does not create new SID so this should be checked if new SIDs are necessary.  Some SID aware based apps may need new SIDs to work properly but this is optional.

The new customization script is displayed.  it is recommended that the script is tested before deployment.

• Convert, VM to a template.

• Create an Automated pool

Note: if a pool existing with a VM that was converted to a template, that pool must be made aware of the conversion.  Pool should be deleted and Remove VM from View Manager Only.

Choose Dedicated or Floating.

Use FULL VIRTUAL MACHINES

Specify a pool ID.

Based on the pool type (dedicated or floating) adjust the pool settings accordingly.  Keep in mind that dedicated pool will assign the same VM to a user which will provide a consistent desktop experience and floating will allow assign brand new VM with a new desktop every time user connect to View.

Enable/Disable provisioning here.

For automated pool, USE A NAMING PATTERN.

Specify the pool sizing for the maximum and the spare desktops.  Use setting to minimize use of resources and immediate availability of VMs.

Note: utilize resource pools to constraint resource for the VM and other systems

Use the guest customization created earlier.

Review your settings.











Monitor the automated VM processe

In View dashboard, the automated VM processes are shown.

The pool inventory displays the automated VMs.

In vClient, the VM is displayed in the Inventory/Hosts and Clusters.