Horizon View 6.1 a solid solution and getting better
Updated February 12, 2016

Horizon View 6.1 a solid solution and getting better

O'Brien Merrill, PMP, VCP5-DCV/DT | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

6.1

Modules Used

  • VDI
  • RDSH
  • USB Redirect
  • Server 2012 desktop support
  • HTML Access for RDSH desktops

Overall Satisfaction with VMware Horizon View

Within cloud services, we use VMware Horizon View to access and manage our customer-facing private cloud solution.

I have recommended, designed and implemented VMware Horizon View for clients in their data centers, allowing them to provide standardized rich virtual desktops (available anywhere) for critical groups within the company (e.g. call center, tech/IT, consultants, management and administrative staff).

In both cases, VMware Horizon View allows access to internal systems and data with the flexibility that users need (time, location, device, application or full desktop) while maintaining the security required by IT (keep data in data center, manage and limit user access to specific systems and data, etc.).
  • Rich User Experience.
  • Flexible delivery of apps and/or desktops from one interface to any device.
  • Ability as a service provider to deliver virtual desktops to customers, while complying with Microsoft licensing agreements.
  • PCoIP performs VERY WELL over challenging network conditions, such as high latency/low bandwidth (India to US connections or Satellite ISP).
  • Maximize and optimize use of resources through Linked Clone technology, storage reclamation and capacity planning/management using vROPS for View.
  • Improved security with use of new Access Point, replacing Windows-based Security Server with a Linux based appliance, reducing the number of ports needing to be opened in the Firewall to allow access.
  • Delivery of Linux Desktops in Tech Preview in Horizon View 6.1, available with some limitations in 6.2
  • USB device support not yet as robust as Citrix in this release
  • Drive redirection for Windows only in Tech Preview in Horizon View 6.1, but seems to work well in 6.2
  • WINDOWS-based Security Server still required for external access in v6.1. Linux-based access point is now available in v6.2, but is not as easy to implement as the Security Server
  • Fast provisioning and access to new users and employees means shorter lead time for a person to be productive.
  • Secure access for short term requirements (temp contractors/consultants) without having to purchase and provide/ship new hardware means lower costs and quicker turn around on both front and back end for non-employee access.
  • Quick provisioning means shorter time to deprovision user access (and secure data) when a person leaves, without them being able to take data with them.
  • Ability to provide multiple desktops and apps via shared pools to many users means tighter control of user access and management of data without violating security requirements.
  • Citrix, DaaS and desktone
Citrix still provides a more robust RDS Application delivery. VMware Horizon View has easily caught up or surpassed Citrix in desktop virtualization and overall feature set.

VMware's Horizon DaaS (not the same underlying architecture yet) is still a better solution for service providers to deliver virtual desktops/apps since VMware Horizon View is not built with multi-tenancy while Horizon DaaS (previously Desktone) was built from the ground up to be a multi-tenant solution.
Service providers who host and manage a customer's Infrastructure and Active Directory will find VMware Horizon View a very useful means to provide virtual desktops and applications to users. Although the remote apps is not yet as feature rich as its Citrix release counterpart, VMware is catching up quickly with each release. It is also excellent for conditions where high latency or rapidly changing network (WAN) conditions exist since PCoIP protocol adapts well to current network conditions.