In this article I will provide detail on how to upgrade to Horizon 8.
The following is based on my own lab and experience and could not reflect the bast practices but it will at least provide some information and feedback.
Based on new nomenclature, the first release version is 2006 for the year 2020 and the month of June as the build release date. Subsequent versions will follow this nomenclature.
Upgrade Client Devices
My client devices was not uploaded since version 5.2.0, the latest version is 2006 which was released on 2020-08-11, I will update to this version.
- Open VMware Horizon Client
- Click on Menu and select Software Updates
- Click on Download and Install
- Click on OK
- Click on Agree & Upgrade
- The client upgrade process starts
- Click on Finish
- Click on Restart Now or Restart Later
Note: The software update provided by Horizon Client will not update to the latest version, you will need to download it and manually install. The latest VMware Horizon Client for Windows can be downloaded from here.
Upgrade Connection Server
- Launch Setup
- Click on Next
- Accept the license agreement and click on Next
- Click on Next
- Click on Install
- Click on Finish
- Open Horizon Administrator Console
- Authenticate on the Console
- Click on Edit License
- Provide your Horizon 2006 license
Note: As the security server is not needed anymore with release 2006 and future, next step will be to update the Agent Software.
Upgrade Horizon Agent
- Connect to the VM and launch Agent 8.00.0 Setup
- Click on Next
- Accept the license agreement and click on Next
- Click on Next
- Click on Next
- Click on Next
- Click on OK
- Click on Install
- Click on Finish
- Click on Yes
Validation
We can first validate that in the Console version 8.00 appears for the Connection Server and the Agent
Now we can test connection, I will validate using the VMware Horizon Client on my PC
Feedback
Even if my Lab is still pretty simple, the upgrade process was quick and simple.
A really good thing is that the Security Server is not needed anymore, what a great improvement!!!
The Console does not use Flash anymore which is good as well, with Horizon 2006 the console is based on HTML5.
I really like the new look of the Admin Console which is closer to what we are used with other VMware products.
New features have been released with this version 2006, for more information click here