VMware Horizon VDI: Simple Steps of Working with Licenses

Introduction

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or VMware Horizon VDI is a powerful technology that enables organizations to centralize and manage desktops efficiently. VMware Horizon VDI is a leading VDI solution, and understanding how to add and activate licenses is a crucial step in the deployment process. This DIY guide will walk you through adding and starting licenses in VMware Horizon, ensuring a smooth and compliant VDI environment. VMware has a rich history of providing diverse deployment options for Horizon, catering to the varied needs of organizations.

Horizon License Types/Offerings

For on-premises solutions, VMware offers Horizon licenses in the form of Perpetual licenses or as part of the comprehensive Horizon Universal subscription offering. This flexibility ensures that organizations can choose a licensing model that aligns with their specific preferences and requirements.

For cloud-based or Software as a Service (SaaS) deployments, VMware extends its offerings through the Horizon Cloud subscription and the Horizon Universal subscription. Additionally, these cloud-based solutions can be seamlessly integrated as an add-on to Workspace ONE, providing organizations with a holistic approach to managing their virtual desktop infrastructure.

Within each deployment type, whether on-premises or in the cloud, VMware provides a range of offerings, each tailored to deliver a variety of features and functionalities. This allows organizations to customize their Horizon deployment according to their unique operational and business needs. The availability of diverse options underscores VMware’s commitment to providing versatile and scalable solutions for virtual desktop infrastructure.

For more detail, Refer to the KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/87490

Demonstration

Let us understand the step-by-step process in detail.

As an administrator, whenever you see the message below stating that your license is expired or ready for renewal, it’s high time to acquire and activate a new license.

Step 1: Acquiring Horizon Licenses

Before you start, ensure that you have the necessary Horizon licenses. You can obtain these licenses from VMware or an authorized reseller. Make sure to have the license keys ready, as you’ll need them during the activation process.

Step 2: Accessing the Horizon Administrator Console

Open a web browser and enter the URL for your Horizon Administrator Console. Typically, this is in the format: https://your-horizon-server/admin.

Log in using your administrator credentials.

Step 3: Navigating to Licensing

In the Horizon Administrator Console, navigate to the “Settings” tab. Select “Licensing” from the left-hand menu. Here, you’ll see the current licensing information and the option to add new license keys.

Step 4: Adding License Keys

Click on the “Plus (+)” icon to add a new license key. Enter the license key in the provided field. You can add multiple keys if necessary. Click “Add License Key” to proceed.

Step 5: Verifying License Information

Once added, the license key information will be displayed on the Licensing page. Verify that the information is correct.

Step 6: Activating Licenses

Select the “Licenses” tab to view the list of license keys.

Click on the key you added, and then click “Activate.” This process may involve contacting VMware’s license server to validate and activate your licenses.

Verify the activation status to ensure that your licenses are activated successfully.

Step 7: Monitoring License Usage

Navigate to the “Monitoring” tab to check the license usage and ensure that it aligns with your purchased licenses.

Conclusion

Following this DIY blog step by step, You’ve successfully added and activated licenses in VMware Horizon VDI.

Properly managing licenses is essential for compliance and ensures that your VDI environment operates smoothly. Regularly monitor license usage and consider expanding your licenses as your VDI deployment grows. This DIY guide empowers you to take control of your Horizon licenses, contributing to a secure and scalable virtual desktop infrastructure.

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