Step 5 - Create Template / User Based Collection

Duration: 15 to 30 minutes

I.  Create a Template

A Template must be created before a User Based collection is created so that you can observe how automatic deployment works. Create the template from one of the DVMs you created earlier by following the steps in the help:Create DVM Templates.

II. (VMware Platform Only) Install Sysprep Tools on VMware vCenter

Microsoft Sysprep tools must be installed on the host on which VMware vCenter is running if using Windows XP - this is not necessary when using Windows 7 as the functionality is built into Windows 7, not externalized and invoked by vCenter. This allows VMware vCenter to automatically create DVMs when required.  Please follow the steps in help:Install Sysprep Tools on vCenter.

III. Create Guest Customization Specification (VMware vCenter Only)

A Guest Customization Specification must be created from within VMware vCenter server . This enables you to customize virtual desktops as they are cloned from a template. Please follow the steps in help:Create Guest Customization Specification.

IV.  Create a User Based Collection

In Step 4, a Device Based Collection for DVMs was set up. Now a User Based Collection for Pooled Desktops will be created.  This type of collection is often used for standardized DVM configurations that are not assigned to specific users, such as in a training room or call center deployment.  The Template created in the first step above is required to automatically deploy DVMs (automatic deployment also requires that VMware vCenter Server is installed).

To create a User Based Collection:

  1. Create a security group in Active Directory that represents the set of DVM users for the collection that you intend to create. You will specify this security group when you create the DVM collection.
  2. Create a Pooled Desktop collection type; this is a User-based collection.
    • Log on to the Pano Controller UI.
    • Click the 'DVM Collections' tab.
      --Click 'Add'. The Add DVM Collection wizard will launch.
      --Follow the steps in the wizard.
    • On the 'General' tab:
      --Choose 'Pooled Desktops' as the collection type.
      --Provide a descriptive name for your collection (“Test Pool",  for example).
      --Specify the folder in which you want the virtual machines    for this collection to reside. (Pano Controller considers any virtual machines contained in the folder to be part of the collection; for now this folder should be empty).
    • On the 'Access' tab:
      --Specify the security group identified in Step I above. Members of this security group will have access to this collection.
    • On the 'Deployment' tab:
      --Check 'Deploy Enabled'
      --Specify a base name for your virtual machines (for example, “testpool”).
      --Specify the template and customization specification previously created.
    • All other tabs can be left “as is”.
    • Click Add Collection.

The status column for this new DVM collection should indicate a deployment is pending or in progress. Once the deployment completes, you can log on to the virtual desktop via any Pano Zero Client that is displaying the Pano login screen. If you are initially evaluating with only one Pano Zero Client, you may need to unassign the Pano Zero Client from the Windows Login collection you created previously.

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