Chapter 2. Horizon View 6.0 Architectural and Feature Overview

In Chapter 1, Introducing VDI and VMware Horizon 6.0, we discussed what virtual desktop infrastructure is all about and started to focus on the details of the Horizon View solution. Building on what we learned, this chapter is almost going to act as a glossary or encyclopedia of Horizon View Standard Edition and will introduce you to the architecture and components of the solution.

We will start each section in this chapter with an overview of a specific feature or component, describing its role in the overall solution, how it fits into the infrastructure, and in some cases, take a look under the hood at how it works.

As part of the overall solution, VMware works with a number of third-party vendor technologies that compliment Horizon View, such as antivirus solutions and high-end graphics solutions. These form part of the VMware horizontal solutions and provide reference architectures for various markets such as health care or federal customers.

At the end of this chapter, you will have gained the knowledge that will enable you to describe how Horizon View works, which components perform what tasks, and why you need them.