iPad Client & VMware View 4.6 Security Server - Notes from the Field

With the launch of View 4.6 along with the iPad client posting to the App Store, there's been several customer discussions around getting Security Server setup and running since it now supports PCoIP.  For the most comprehensive blog that covers all things Security Server, check out Mark Benson's blog including his video. Mark offers several suggestions that will help you avoid common issues and it's worth a read/watch.

Here's some additional information that should help and provide food for thought:

- All the VMware View 4.6 docs can be found here.

- Make sure you read through the View 4.6 Architecture Guide, especially pages 60-66.  It covers all the necessary network ports/rules needed along with some good diagrams.

- Security Servers must be running Windows 2008 R2 in order to support PCoIP.  The Connection Servers do not require R2, but must be running View 4.6.

- Configure PCoIP for your desktop pool and test internally first to verify functionality.  This will help rule out any Windows firewall issues on the hosted desktop.

- If connecting to PCoIP fails externally, does RDP work?

- If you're getting a blank screen or disconnected when attempting to connect externally via the Security Server, double check to make sure you have your firewall rules configured properly.  This is the most common issue.  Also check to make sure your external URL (this is the URL/FQDN users would enter to download the View clients) and the PCoIP URL is set (this has to be an IP address, not a FQDN).

- When connecting from the iPad client and you get a message that states your connection is slow (which eventually times out), this is a symptom around the same issues stated in the previous point.  Double check to see if your View Client for Windows experiences the same issue.  This could help point you in the right direction.

-There's additional troubleshoot steps documented in the View 4.6 Administrator Guide starting on page 285.

FYI: Port 4172 have been registered with IANA and can be referenced here:  (search for PCoIP)

Comments

[Rick Falci]

@ common issue that I have run into is the back end ports to the connection servers and the PCoIP ports to the virtual desktops. Customers are opening the ports the between the Security Servers and the Connection Servers only. The next question that is which direction to open the ports on the firewall between the Security Server and the Virtual Desktop - both. There are listed in the planning guide but seem to be missed.