VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon
Name	VMware Horizon
Developer	VMware
Genre	Desktop virtualization, Virtual desktop infrastructure

VMware Horizon. It is a comprehensive virtual desktop infrastructure and desktop as a service platform developed by VMware. The solution enables the delivery of virtualized or hosted desktops and Windows applications from a centralized data center to end-user devices. It is widely used by enterprises to provide secure, flexible access to corporate resources while simplifying IT management.

Overview

VMware Horizon provides a unified platform for delivering and managing virtual desktops and applications across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The core technology leverages the company's vSphere hypervisor to host desktop virtual machines on server hardware. It integrates deeply with other components of the VMware software-defined data center stack, including vSAN and NSX. The platform supports a variety of client operating systems, with a primary focus on delivering Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktops, and is managed through the Horizon Console.

Architecture

The architecture is client-server based, where the connection server, known as the Horizon Connection Server, brokers user connections to desktop and application resources. Desktop virtual machines are typically hosted on ESXi servers within a vCenter Server managed cluster. For graphics-intensive workloads, it supports integration with NVIDIA GRID technology and virtual GPUs. The Blast Extreme protocol, developed by VMware, is the default display protocol for optimizing user experience across various network conditions. Security is enforced through integration with VMware Workspace ONE for identity management and VMware Carbon Black for endpoint security.

Features

Key capabilities include the Instant Clone technology for rapid desktop provisioning and efficient storage utilization. The platform offers Unity Touch for a tailored mobile experience and integrated Microsoft Teams optimization. For application delivery, it includes Horizon Apps (formerly VMware ThinApp) and supports Docker containers via the Horizon Container Platform. Advanced management features encompass VMware Dynamic Environment Manager for personalization and VMware App Volumes for real-time application delivery. Monitoring and analytics are provided through the vRealize Operations Manager suite.

Deployment models

It can be deployed in several models to meet different organizational needs. The traditional on-premises model involves installing all components within a customer's own data center. The cloud-hosted option is available through the Horizon Cloud service on Microsoft Azure and other public cloud providers. There is also a fully managed Desktop as a Service offering via the VMware Horizon DaaS platform. Furthermore, a hybrid deployment allows for a combination of on-premises resources and cloud-hosted desktops managed from a single pane of glass.

History

The product originated from technology acquired with VMware's purchase of Propero in 2006. It was initially launched as VMware View before being rebranded. Major version releases have consistently added integration with evolving VMware technologies like vSphere and vSAN. The introduction of Blast Extreme protocol and support for cloud computing platforms like AWS and Google Cloud Platform marked significant milestones. The platform's development has been closely tied to the growth of the virtual desktop infrastructure market and the rise of hybrid work models.

Competitors

In the VDI market, it faces strong competition from Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, a long-established product from Citrix Systems. Other significant competitors include Microsoft with its Windows Virtual Desktop service, now part of Azure Virtual Desktop. Amazon Web Services offers Amazon WorkSpaces, while Google provides ChromeOS-centric solutions. Emerging competitors in the cloud-native space include VMware-partner-turned-rival Nutanix with its Nutanix Frame service. The competitive landscape also includes various smaller vendors and managed service providers offering hosted desktop solutions.

Category:VMware software Category:Desktop virtualization Category:Cloud computing