Virtual desktops made easy with Citrix VDI-in-a-Box. Self-paced Learning Labs exercise guide. May 2012

Transcription

1 Virtual desktops made easy with Citrix VDI-in-a-Box Self-paced Learning Labs exercise guide May 2012

2 Table of Contents Overview... 3 Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box... 6 Exercise 2: Importing Images Exercise 3: Installing the Desktop Agent Exercise 4: Editing the Draft Image Exercise 5: Preparing the Image Exercise 6: Testing and Saving the Image Exercise 7: Creating Templates Exercise 8: Final Configurations Exercise 9: Connecting To Desktops Page 2

3 Overview Citrix VDI-in-a-Box is an easy, affordable, all-in-one desktop virtualization solution that makes the benefits of desktop virtualization available to every business. VDI-in-a-Box eliminates over 60 percent of traditional VDI infrastructure including management servers and shared storage (SANs) by creating a grid of off-the-shelf servers using local storage. The solution enables Windows administrators to rapidly deliver centrally-managed virtual desktops to any user, on any device with the same rich high-definition end-user experience as our enterprise class XenDesktop In this lab, you will learn how to configure VDI-in-a-Box, import a Windows image, install the Desktop Agent, and prepare the image for deployment to users. You will also walk through how to test and save the image and create templates. Hands-on Training Module This training module has the following details: Objective Provide hands-on experience with configuring the VDI-in-a-Box appliance and creating virtual desktops Audience Primary: Citrix Partners and System Administrators Lab Environment Details This section is used to describe the lab environment and the virtual machines that are used VM Name IP Address Description AD.training.lab Windows Server 2008 R2. Domain controller for training.lab, DNS, DHCP services, and license server. vdimanager VDI-in-a-Box virtual appliance (DHCP reservation) Win7Import DHCP Windows 7 Golden Image for importing into VDI-in-a- Box Win7Client Windows 7 Desktop to use as an endpoint device for administrating VDI-in-a-Box and connecting to desktops. NOTE: This is a shared lab environment image and not all virtual machines will be used. NOTE: If prompted with a dialog to restart on any virtual machine, always select Restart Later. Page 3

4 Required Lab Credentials Below are the login credentials required to connect to the workshop system and complete the lab exercises. Domain/Machine Username Password Description Training.lab Administrator Citrix123 Domain Administrator Training.lab Vdiread Citrix123 Account for syncing with AD Local Administrator citrix Local Admin account for editing images Training.lab Vdiuser Citrix123 Account for logging into a VDI desktop Page 4

5 How to log into the lab environment The self-paced lab environment is hosted on a cloud-based Citrix XenServer. Connecting to your server from the portal page is as easy as Step-by-step login instructions Step Action 1. Once logged in at the self-paced portal, click the Start lab button to launch a connection to published XenCenter. 2. When XenCenter loads, right-click the XenCenter node and select Add 3. On the Add New Server screen enter the XenServer IP address provided on the portal and in the Password field enter the password provided on the portal. The user name will always be root. Page 5

6 Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box Overview In this exercise we will set up a new VDI-in-a-Box grid by configuring the virtual appliance. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 5 minutes. Step Action 1. Start by powering off the the SQLServer, SQLServer2, VDA, XA1, XA2 and XD virtual machines from within XenCenter as they will not be used for these exercises. 2. Power on the Win7Import and vdimanager virtual machines 3. Logon to the Win7Client virtual machine as training\administrator with password Citrix Launch Internet Explorer and browse to Click Continue on the security warning regarding the certificate (we are using the default self-signed certificate). 5. Login as vdiadmin with password kaviza 6. Click Get Started Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box Page 6

7 Step Action 7. Click Continue 8. Enter your hypervisor IP address as well as root with the appropriate password (found in the portal). Then click Next. (If copying and pasting, ensure there are no extra spaces.) Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box Page 7

8 Step Action 9. Select Local Storage for the Datastore and Internal for the Network Label. Then click Next. 10. Select the option to create a new VDI-in-a-Box grid and click Next. 11. Enter a name for your grid 12. Select Microsoft Active Directory 13. Enter for the IP address (AD.training.lab domain controller) 14. Enter training.lab for the domain name 15. Enter vdiread for the username and Citrix123 for the password (this is a domain user service account) and click Next. Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box Page 8

9 Step Action 16. Select Yes when prompted with Have you reserved a dedicated IP address for VDI-in-a- Box Manager? (a DHCP reservation was previously configured). Then click Done. END OF EXERCISE Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaways for this exercise are: Hypervisor and grid configuration with VDI-in-a-Box is quick and simple The VDI-in-a-Box virtual appliance is configured from a standard browser Exercise 1: Configuring VDI-in-a-Box Page 9

10 Exercise 2: Importing Images Overview In this exercise we will go through the process of importing a Windows 7 image into VDI-in-a-Box. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 10 minutes. Step Action 1. You should now be prompted to generate the base image. Click Continue. 2. Select Win7Import, name the image Win7, and enter a description. Click Import and wait for the import process to complete. Please note that this will take a few minutes as the virtual machine is copied. END OF EXERCISE Exercise 2: Importing Images Page 10

11 Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaways for this exercise are: How to import a new image into the VDI-in-a-Box environment VDI-in-a-Box will check to ensure that a virtual machine is suitable for import before beginning the actual import process Exercise 2: Importing Images Page 11

12 Exercise 3: Installing the Desktop Agent Overview In this exercise we will install the VDI-in-a-Box Desktop Agent onto our draft image. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 10 minutes. Step Action 1. Click the [Copy to clipboard] button, allow the script in the information bar, and then click the button again to copy the URL to the clipboard. Then click the Connect button and select Open. NOTE: If the browser security bar comes up for the RDP file download, select to download the file and then go back in the wizard by clicking the Edit button. 2. An RDP Connection file will download and open. Click Connect when prompted. 3. Login with the local credentials administrator / citrix Exercise 3: Installing the Desktop Agent Page 12

13 Step Action 4. Open Internet Explorer in the virtual desktop, and paste the desktop agent link into the address bar ( Click Continue on the certificate warning. 5. Click the Install button. 6. Run the Desktop Agent Installer. Click run again when prompted. 7. Proceed through the installation leaving the default options selected. 8. Complete the Desktop Agent installation wizard. Once completed, click Finish and the VM will restart and you will be brought back to the Image Management wizard. 9. Wait a moment while the virtual machine restarts and then click Next on the wizard to proceed to the Test Connection step. Click the Test port button and then click Next. END OF EXERCISE Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: How to install the VDI-in-a-Box Desktop Agent to allow HDX connections to the virtual machine Exercise 3: Installing the Desktop Agent Page 13

14 Exercise 4: Editing the Draft Image Overview In this exercise we will go through the process of editing the Windows 7 image and test HDX connectivity. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 10 minutes. Step Action 1. Click the View button on step 3 of the Edit Image screen to identify the list of necessary tasks that must be completed. Select Yes to all five and click Done. The image we are using conforms to these standards. 2. Click the Connect button and enter the credentials administrator / citrix. Then click Log in to logon to the test virtual desktop. 3. Choose to Open the ICA file with Citrix Receiver and you will be connected to the virtual desktop. 4. Logon as administrator / citrix 5. Double-click the Firefox setup icon on the Desktop. 6. Proceed through the install of Firefox accepting defaults and deselect the last option to Launch Firefox now before clicking Finish. This demonstrates that software and configuration changes may be performed to the desktop image at this stage. 7. Click the Start Button and choose Disconnect. 8. Click Next on the Edit Image step to start the Prepare Image step. END OF EXERCISE Exercise 4: Editing the Draft Image Page 14

15 Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: The simple process for editing the draft image. Exercise 4: Editing the Draft Image Page 15

16 Exercise 5: Preparing the Image Overview In this exercise we will configure the image details for our environment. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 10 minutes. Step Action 1. Domain Name: training.lab 2. Domain Administrator: administrator 3. Domain Password: Citrix Organizational Unit: OU=VDI,DC=training,DC=lab 5. Time Zone: Pacific Time 6. Computer Name Prefix: VDI 7. Copy Profile: Checked 8. Activation Method: using MAK key 9. Device Drivers: Checked 10. Fast Desktop Refresh: Checked 11. Click Prepare and then Confirm on the dialog. Wait a few moments for the process to complete. A draft image will be prepared. END OF EXERCISE Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: Preparing the image involves specifying virtual desktop provisioning parameters Exercise 5: Preparing the Image Page 16

17 Exercise 6: Testing and Saving the Image Overview In this exercise we will go through the process of testing and saving our golden image. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 15 minutes. Step Action 1. From the Test Image screen, click the Connect button and then Connect again on the dialog 2. Enter credentials: administrator / citrix and click Log in. Open the ICA file to launch the connection. 3. Verify that the Mozilla Firefox application shortcut is still on the Desktop. 4. Verify that the virtual machine has been joined to the domain by going to System Properties. 5. Click the Start button and choose Disconnect. 6. Click the Save button. Click Confirm. This process will take a few minutes. END OF EXERCISE Exercise 6: Testing and Saving the Image Page 17

18 Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: How to complete the test and save procedures of the VDI-in-a-Box image management cycle Exercise 6: Testing and Saving the Image Page 18

19 Exercise 7: Creating Templates Overview In this exercise we will explain what templates are used for and how they are created. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 5 minutes. Step Action 1. Click Continue on the template creation screen 2. Template Name: Windows 7 3. Image Name: Win7 4. VM Prefix: BOX 5. Description: Windows 7 Template 6. Memory (MB): Check the Disk drives and Printers options 8. Click Next 9. Maximum Desktops: Pre-started Desktops: Make this the default template: Checked 12. Do not reassign desktops On Hold to new users: Checked 13. Desktops refresh: On logout 14. Click Save and then Close END OF EXERCISE Exercise 7: Creating Templates Page 19

20 Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: How to create and configure a new template based on an OS image Exercise 7: Creating Templates Page 20

21 Exercise 8: Final Configurations Overview In this exercise we will cover the process involved in assigning our template to a user and group of users. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 5 minutes. Step Action 1. Click Continue on the user assignment screen 2. Click the Add link next to Users 3. Enter User1 under the User ID field 4. Select Windows 7 from the templates list by clicking the link, checking Windows 7, and then clicking Close 5. Click Save. The user is now added. 6. Click the Add link next to User Groups 7. Enter vdiusers under the Group Name field 8. Select Windows 7 from the templates list by clicking the link, checking Windows 7, and then clicking Close 9. Click Save END OF EXERCISE Exercise 8 : Final Configurations Page 21

22 Summary Key Takeaways The key takeaway for this exercise is: How to assign templates to users and groups Exercise 8 : Final Configurations Page 22

23 Exercise 9: Connecting To Desktops Overview In this exercise we will connect to a VDI-in-a-Box desktop using the HDX protocol. Step-by-step guidance Estimated time to complete this lab: 5 minutes. Step Action 1. You should now see the virtual machines prefixed with the name of BOX in XenCenter 2. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machines to check their current status. 3. Switch back to the Win7Client virtual machine and click Logout in the browser. 4. Log back on as user1 with password Citrix123. Click Open on the prompt. 5. You will be logged into your desktop. Note that if the desktop doesn t load it may take a moment or two for the desktop to finish provisioning the first time since we just created the template a few minutes ago and the initial SysPrep process needs to complete. 6. Spend a moment or two exploring the desktop and then logoff from it and the VDI-in-a- Box portal. 7. You can also connect with the Java client by navigating to the following address in a browser: Accept the security dialogs. 8. Enter the user1/citrix123 credentials into the Java client and click Log On 9. IMPORTANT! This is the last exercise for this lab. Please go back to the Self-paced Learning Lab portal site and click the Logout link towards the bottom right to close out your lab session. Key Takeaways END OF EXERCISE The key takeaway for this exercise is: How to connect to VDI-in-a-Box desktops via multiple methods. Please complete this survey We value your feedback! Please take a moment to let us know about your self-paced lab experience by completing the brief Self-paced Learning Lab Survey. Exercise 9 : Connecting to Desktops Page 23

24 Revision History Revision Change Description Updated By Date 1.0 Original Version Allen Furmanski May 2012 Thanks to our sponsor Wyse for providing the thin clients. About Citrix Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) is the leading provider of virtualization, networking and software as a service technologies for more than 230,000 organizations worldwide. Its Citrix Delivery Center, Citrix Cloud Center (C3) and Citrix Online Services product families radically simplify computing for millions of users, delivering applications as an on-demand service to any user, in any location on any device. Citrix customers include the world s largest Internet companies, 99 percent of Fortune Global 500 enterprises, and hundreds of thousands of small businesses and prosumers worldwide. Citrix partners with over 10,000 companies worldwide in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1989, annual revenue in 2008 was $1.6 billion Citrix Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Citrix, Citrix Delivery Center, Citrix Cloud Center, XenApp, XenServer, NetScaler, XenDesktop, Citrix Repeater, Citrix Receiver, Citrix Workflow Studio, GoToMyPC, GoToAssist, GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, GoView and HiDef Corporate are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and may be registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. Page 24