Horizon 8 2406 updates Podcast

[Ken Rowe]

Omnissa Horizon 8 2406 Release: A Detailed Briefing

The Omnissa Horizon 8 2406 release focuses on streamlining IT administration, improving user experience, and optimizing resource management. This document summarizes the critical updates and benefits across these themes:

1. Accelerated Virtual Desktop Deployments:

• Faster Horizon 8 Desktops with Amazon WorkSpaces Core: This hybrid solution offers faster, scalable, and cost-effective desktop delivery with automated pool provisioning and advanced power management settings. "[This] allows customers to adjust pool capacities and desktop types (persistent or non-persistent, floating, or dedicated) globally, as needed, all through the Horizon 8 console."
• Efficient App Delivery to Persistent Desktops: App Volumes 2406 introduces persistent desktop support, extending its one-to-many provisioning model to classic Windows desktops, including VMs in Horizon and Citrix environments. This reduces image and app management time and storage costs.
• App Volumes for Windows 365 and AWS: App Volumes 2406 brings its features to these cloud environments, providing seamless app management across Horizon, Citrix, Microsoft, and Amazon virtual desktop environments.
• Enhanced App Lifecycle Control: Replicate Application Packages in Specific Stages, and the Apps on Demand technology preview empowers administrators and end users with greater control and flexibility over app package replication and version selection.
• Simplified License Activation for Horizon SaaS Customers: SaaS customers can now activate their license key through the Horizon console before deploying the Horizon Edge Gateway.

2. Powerful Virtual Workspace Performance:

• Blast Optimization Templates: These templates integrate with Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) profiles to offer optimal image quality, frames, and bandwidth settings tailored to specific network profiles.
• Expanded GPU Choice with AMD Support: AMD hardware encode capabilities using the AMF encode APIs for Horizon Cloud are now supported, offering more GPU options alongside NVIDIA and Intel.
• Boosted FPS for Enhanced Performance: Blast now achieves 120 FPS, significantly improving multimedia and high-end graphics performance on Windows and Mac systems.
• HP Anyware Integration: HP Anyware for Omnissa Horizon 8 with PCoIP® Ultra and Blast protocol support on HP Trusted Zero Clients enhances remote performance and graphics experience.
• Microsoft Teams 2.1 Support: Official support for the new Microsoft Teams client (2.1) ensures end-user access to the latest applications within virtual environments.

3. Innovative Management Capabilities:

• Microsoft Entra Hybrid Join Managed Mode: This feature streamlines connectivity by providing smoother domain join to on-premises and Azure AD environments. It now supports all pool types, including instant clone pools.
• Flexibility with Native Microsoft Azure VMs: Admins can create manual pools in unmanaged mode using VMs in Microsoft Azure, providing greater flexibility and control over cloud infrastructure.
• Improved Horizon Client Usability: The new folder feature and navigation sidebar enhance remote application and desktop management, simplifying organization and navigation.
• FIDO2 WebAuthN Redirection for macOS: Users can leverage local endpoint FIDO2 components in remote desktops and applications, enhancing platform security and integration.
• Simplified Pool and VM Management: Options to restrict user access without stopping desktop provisioning and the ability to shut down multiple instant clone VMs improve administrative efficiency.
• Home Site Redirection for CPA: This feature optimizes traffic flow by redirecting users to their designated home site without reauthentication, improving efficiency in Cloud Pod Architecture deployments.
• RESTful APIs for Lifecycle Automation: New APIs automate the installation and upgrade processes for Horizon Connection and Enrollment Servers, streamlining lifecycle management.
• Terraform Support for Automation and Consistency: The new Omnissa Horizon Terraform Provider enables Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for managing Horizon Connection and Enrollment Servers, ensuring predictable, consistent, and scalable infrastructure management.

Conclusion:

The Omnissa Horizon 8 2406 release delivers a comprehensive update suite that enhances IT administration, user experience, and resource management. Upgrading to this latest version empowers organizations to optimize their virtual desktop infrastructure, streamline workflows, and provide a seamless and secure end-user experience.