When you plan to deploy a Horizon Cloud environment using vSphere as your capacity provider, the process begins with deploying a vSphere Edge. A vSphere Edge defines the connection point between the cloud-managed Horizon Cloud Control Plane and your vSphere-based infrastructure, where desktop and application workloads run.
This introductory topic explains the purpose of a vSphere Edge deployment, introduces key concepts, and outlines the preparation required before you proceed with the requirements checklist, networking validation, and vSphere configuration topics that follow.
What a Horizon Cloud on vSphere Edge Deployment Provides
Integration with Existing vSphere Environments - You can use your existing vSphere infrastructure to deliver virtual desktops and applications through Horizon Cloud while maintaining control over where workloads run.
Centralized Cloud Management - Although compute, storage, and networking resources remain in your vSphere environment, lifecycle management, monitoring, and orchestration are handled through the Horizon Cloud Control Plane, providing consistent operations and visibility.
Flexible Growth Model - You can start with a single vSphere Edge and expand over time by adding additional capacity, supporting multiple clusters, or deploying additional Edges as your environment grows.
Key Concepts
Capacity Provider - For this deployment model, your vSphere environment acts as the capacity provider that supplies compute, storage, and network resources to the Horizon Edge.
vSphere Infrastructure - A vSphere Edge relies on a properly prepared vSphere environment, including vCenter Server, ESXi hosts, clusters, datastores, and networks that support Horizon Edge components, Unified Access Gateways, and desktop or application workloads.
Horizon Edge - The Horizon Edge is a virtual appliance deployed into your vSphere environment. It establishes secure communication with the Horizon Cloud Control Plane and enables cloud-based management, monitoring, and lifecycle operations.
Gateways and Networking - A vSphere Edge deployment can include Unified Access Gateway instances to provide secure user access. Network connectivity, routing, firewall rules, load balancing, and required ports and protocols must be planned to ensure reliable communication between components.
Identity and Permissions - Horizon Cloud requires appropriate credentials and permissions, including Active Directory accounts and vCenter Server access, so it can discover resources, deploy Edge components, and perform ongoing management operations.
What to Expect
Before deploying a vSphere Edge, be prepared to address the following areas:
A Functional vSphere Environment - A deployed and operational vSphere environment that meets the minimum version, feature, and configuration requirements for Horizon Cloud, including required cluster settings and datastore availability.
Permissions and Access - vCenter Server accounts and roles with sufficient privileges to allow Horizon Cloud to deploy and manage Edge components, Unified Access Gateways, and desktop workloads. Additional privileges are required if you plan to use instant clones.
Plan Your Networking Topology
- Identify management, desktop, and gateway networks.
- Ensure routing and firewall rules allow communication between the Horizon Edge, vSphere components, identity services, and the Horizon Cloud Control Plane.
- Plan for load balancing and DMZ placement if external user access is required.
- Validate that all required ports and protocols are open for deployment and ongoing operations.
Prepare DNS, Domain, and Identity Services - If your deployment includes domain-joined desktops or single sign-on, verify that Active Directory and DNS services are reachable from the vSphere environment. This includes preparing domain bind and domain join accounts with the required permissions.
How This Getting Started Section Is Structured
The topics that follow this introduction guide you through the prerequisites required to prepare your environment for deployment, including:
- A requirements checklist for deploying a vSphere Edge
- Network port and protocol requirements for deployment and steady-state operations
- Preparing your vSphere environment
- Configuring a vCenter Server user for Omnissa Horizon Cloud
- Required vCenter Server privileges when using instant clones
Complete these preparatory steps before starting the vSphere Edge deployment workflow in Horizon Cloud.
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