Archive | June, 2021

Script to install VMware EUC Agents – App Volumes Agent, DEM Agent and Horizon Agent

30 Jun

If you are planning for the VMware EUC Stack migration or upgrade and want to install the VMware EUC agent, then continue reading. The guidance on uninstalling the existing agents can be found on this blog post – Script uninstall VMware EUC Agents – App Volumes Agent, Horizon Client, DEM Agent, Horizon Agent and VMware Tools | AskAresh

In this script, we shall perform the agents install and reboot the golden image towards the end. There is no need to install the individual agents one by one, instead, sit back, relax and have a coffee!

VMware EUC Agents:

  • VMware Horizon Agent (Works on 7.x and 8.x/YYMM)
    • Note few MSI switches are deprecated if you still use them, you will have an error code 1603
  • VMware Dynamic Environment Manager Agent (Works on 9.x and YYMM)
  • VMware App Volumes Agent (Works on 2.x and 4.x/YYMM)

Note – All the above testing is carried out on Windows 10 1909 with PowerShell 5.1. Reboot is required to complete the installation operations.

VMware EUC Agents Install

Pre-requisites:

#################################################################################################
# Install EUC Agents in the proper order - Horizon Agent , DEM Agent and App Volumes Agent
# Reboot the OS towards the end after install all Agents. Look for Exit Code 0 or 3010
# If you notice exit code 1603 there is a installation issue. Refer to my MSI switches blogpost
# Comment or Un-comment the Agent that does not apply to your environment
# Author - Aresh Sarkari (Twitter - @askaresh)
################################################################################################

###################################################################
#                    Declare Variables                            #
###################################################################

#Agent Names
$HorizonAgentName = "VMware-Horizon-Agent-x86_64*"
$DEMAgentName = "VMware Dynamic Environment Manager*"
$AppVolumesAgentName = "App Volumes Agent*"
$AppVolMGR = "avm001.domain.com" # Manager LB VIP

# All the installer Location
#Create a folder C:\Temp\Agents and place all the MSI\EXE in there
$TempInstallPath = "C:\Temp\Agents" 

#Log Files location
# Go through all the logs post installation
$HZlogFile = "C:\Temp\Agents\HZAgent.log"
$DEMlogFile = "C:\Temp\Agents\DEMAgent.log"
$ApplogFile = "C:\Temp\Agents\AppVolAgent.log"

###################################################################
#                    MSI Arguments Arrary for EUC Agents          #
###################################################################
# Modify any MSI switched related to the agent here.
# Follow this blog post for swithces - https://askaresh.com/2021/06/28/comparision-vmware-horizon-agent-7-x-8-x-silent-install-switches-and-properties/

# VMware Horizon Agent MSI Switches
$HZMSIArguments = @(
	"/qn"
	"VDM_VC_MANAGED_AGENT=1"
    "SUPPRESS_RUNONCE_CHECK=1"
	"VDM_IP_Protocol_Usage=IPv4"
	"ADDLOCAL=Core,ClientDriveRedirection,NGVC,USB,RTAV,PerfTracker,PrintRedir,HelpDesk,TSMMR,VmwVaudio,V4V"
	"REBOOT=REallySuppress"
	"/L*v"
	$HZlogFile
)

# VMware Dynamic Enivornment Agent MSI Switches
$DEMMSIArguments = @(
    "/qn"
    "ADDLOCAL=FlexEngine"
    "REBOOT=REallysuppress"
    "/L*v"
    $DEMlogFile
)

# VMware App Volumes Agent MSI Switches
$AppVolMSIArguments = @(
    "/qn"
    "MANAGER_ADDR=$AppVolMGR"
    "MANAGER_PORT=443"
    "REBOOT=REallysuppress"
    "EnforceSSLCertificateValidation=0"
    "/L*v"
    $ApplogFile
)

###################################################################
#                    Main                                        #
###################################################################

# Install VMware Horizon Agent
Write-Host "Installing the VMware Horizon Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
$HZAgentPath = (Get-ChildItem -Path $TempInstallPath | Where-Object {$_.name -like $HorizonAgentName}).Fullname

# The switches "/s /v " is the Install Shield switches and rest of the aruguments are passed with MSI
$HZAgentInstall = (Start-Process -Filepath $HZAgentPath -Wait -ArgumentList "/s /v ""$HZMSIArguments" -PassThru)
$HZAgentInstall.ExitCode

Start-Sleep 20

# Install DEM Agent
Write-Host "Installing the VMware DEM Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
$DEMPath = (Get-ChildItem -Path $TempInstallPath | Where-Object {$_.name -like $DEMAgentName}).Fullname
$DEMAgentInstall = (Start-Process -Filepath $DEMPath -ArgumentList $DEMMSIArguments -Wait -PassThru)
$DEMAgentInstall.ExitCode

Start-Sleep 20

# Install App Volumes Agent
Write-Host "Installing the VMware App Volumes Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
$AppVolPath = (Get-ChildItem -Path $TempInstallPath | Where-Object {$_.name -like $AppVolumesAgentName}).Fullname
$AppVolAgentInstall = (Start-Process -Filepath $AppVolPath -ArgumentList $AppVolMSIArguments -Wait -PassThru)
$AppVolAgentInstall.ExitCode

Start-Sleep 20

# Restart the computer
Write-Host "Restarting the computer post the VMware EUC Agents install" -ForegroundColor Green
Restart-Computer -Force

Git Hubscripts/vmwareeucagent-install at master · askaresh/scripts (github.com)

A big thanks to Chris H for providing the original blueprint of the script and Wouter for showing me the magical “space” on the switch /v within the Horizon Agent installer. Final thanks to Jishan for the numerous testing cycles and additions to a different version of this script which tackles VMware Tools reboot and continues installing post a reboot.

I hope you will find this script useful to install the VMware EUC agents and never look back to install them individually. A small request if you further enhance the script or make it more creative, I hope you can share it back with me?

Thanks,
Aresh Sarkari

Reference Article – VMware Agent Install order – Agent installation order for Horizon View, Dynamic Environment Manager, and App Volumes (vmware.com)

Script uninstall VMware EUC Agents – App Volumes Agent, Horizon Client, DEM Agent, Horizon Agent and VMware Tools

29 Jun

If you are planning for the VMware EUC Stack migration or upgrade and are in the middle of uninstalling the existing agents, look no further and here is the script that will allow you to uninstall all the agents and reboot the golden image towards the end. There is no need to remove individual agents one by one from the “Program and Features”; instead, sit back, relax and have a coffee!

VMware EUC Agents:

  • VMware App Volumes Agent (Works on 2.x and 4.x/YYMM)
  • VMware Horizon Client (Optional)
  • VMware Dynamic Environment Manager Agent (Works on 9.x and YYMM)
  • VMware Horizon Agent (Works on 7.x and 8.x/YYMM)
  • VMware Tools (Works on 11.x)

Note – All the above testing is carried out on Windows 10 1909/Windows Server 2016 with PowerShell 5.1. The PowerShell module Uninstall-Package suppresses individual reboot and we perform the final reboot towards the end using the Restart-Computer module. (Reboot is required to complete the uninstallation operations.)

VMware EUC Agents
#################################################################################
# Un-Install EUC Agents in the proper order for Golden Image
# App Volumes Agent, Horizon Client(Optional), DEM, Horizon and VMware Tools
# Suppressed auto Reboot the OS towards the end after un-installing all Agents.
# Comment or Un-comment the Agent that does not apply to your environment
# Author - Aresh Sarkari (Twitter - @askaresh)
#################################################################################

#Un-installing VMware App Volumes Agent
Write-Host "Un-installing the App Volumes Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Package -Name 'App Volumes **' | Uninstall-Package

sleep -Seconds 60

#Un-installing VMware Horizon Client
#Write-Host "Un-installing the VMware Horizon Client" -ForegroundColor Green
#Get-Package -Name 'VMware Horizon Cli**' | Uninstall-Package

#sleep -Seconds 60

#Un-installing VMware Dynamic Environment Agent
Write-Host "Un-installing the Dynamic Environment Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Package -Name 'VMware Dynamic **' | Uninstall-Package

sleep -Seconds 60

#Un-installing VMware Horizon Agent
Write-Host "Un-installing the VMware Horizon Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Package -Name 'VMware Horizon Ag**' | Uninstall-Package

sleep -Seconds 60

#Un-installing VMware Tools Agent
Write-Host "Un-installing the VMware Tools Agent" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Package -Name 'VMware Tools' | Uninstall-Package

sleep -Seconds 60

# Restart the computer
Write-Host "Restarting the computer post the VMware EUC Agents Un-install" -ForegroundColor Green
Restart-Computer -Force

GitHub scripts/vmwareeucagent-uninstall at master · askaresh/scripts (github.com)

Thanks to Hilko and Joel for reviewing the script and providing valuable feedback.

I hope you will find this script useful to uninstall the VMware EUC agents and never look back to remove individual programs under “Programs and Features”. A small request if you further enhance the script or make it more creative, I hope you can share it back with me?

Thanks,
Aresh Sarkari

Comparison VMware Horizon Agent 7.x/8.x (Silent Install) Switches and Properties

28 Jun

We are in the middle of automating the VMware Horizon Agent 8.x installer for the golden images. To undertake such a task, it’s essential to understand all the MSI Switches that come along with the installer. If you had already automated the Horizon Agent 7.x install it’s also important to check which MSI switches have been removed in Horizon Agent 8.x/YYMM. The below details will show you the switches and highlight the removed/deltas MSI Switches and Properties.

I use a tool called lessmsi GitHub – activescott/lessmsi: A tool to view and extract the contents of an Windows Installer (.msi) file. which essentially extracts the MSI contents and provides a detailed table view of the feature components and properties.

Horizon Agent 8.x\YYMM version (Features available within the agent)

Feature (s38)Feature_Parent (S38)Title (L64)Description (L255)Directory_ (S72)
URLRedirectionCoreURL Content RedirectionRedirects URL content from a server session to a client device and vice versa. 
PSGCore   
VmVideoCore   
VmwVdisplayCore   
VmwViddCore   
SmartCardSingleUserTSCore   
RDSH3D 3D RDSHThis feature enables hardware 3D acceleration in RDSH sessions. 
NGVC VMware Horizon Instant Clone AgentHorizon Instant Clone Agent should only be installed on a virtual machine running on VMware vSphere 6.0/2015 U1 or later. 
ScannerRedirection Scanner RedirectionEnables the Scanner Redirection feature. 
SerialPortRedirection Serial Port RedirectionEnables the Serial Port Redirection feature. 
SmartCard Smartcard RedirectionEnables the Smartcard Redirection feature. 
TSMMR TSMMRTerminal Services Multimedia Redirection. 
PrintRedir VMware Integrated PrintingVMware Integrated Printing Redirection. 
USB USB RedirectionUSB Redirection. Refer to the VMware Horizon Security document for guidance on using USB redirection securely. 
V4V Horizon Monitoring Service AgentHorizon Monitoring Service Agent. 
VmwVaudio VMware AudioVMware virtual Audio driver 
SdoSensor SDO Sensor RedirectionEnables Simple Device Orientation(SDO) Sensor Redirection feature, reports device orientation changes to remote desktop. 
HybridLogon Hybrid LogonEnables Hybrid logon which allows an unauthenticated user access to network resources without the need to enter credentials. 
HelpDesk Help Desk Plugin for Horizon AgentHelp Desk Plugin for Horizon Agent. 
RDP Enable RDP (hidden)  
BlastUDPCore   
Core Core[ProductName] core functionalityINSTALLDIR
VMWMediaProviderProxy VMware Virtualization Pack for Skype for BusinessThis feature will enable optimization for Skype for Business in remote desktop 
ClientDriveRedirection Client Drive RedirectionAllow Horizon Clients to share local drives with remote desktops and applications. If not installed, copy/paste and drag and drop files and folders features will be disabled. 
RTAV Real-Time Audio-VideoReal-Time Audio-Video enables users to redirect locally connected audio and video peripherals back to the remote desktop for use. 
GEOREDIR Geolocation RedirectionEnables redirection of client’s geolocation to the remote desktop 
PerfTracker Horizon Performance TrackerEnables Horizon Performance Tracker 
Horizon Agent 8.x/YYMM Release MSI Features

Horizon Agent 7.x version (Features available within the agent)

Feature (s38)Feature_Parent (S38)Title (L64)Description (L255)Directory_ (S72)
URLRedirectionCoreURL Content RedirectionRedirects URL content from a server session to a client device and vice versa. 
PSGCore  
VmVideoCore  
VmwVdisplayCore  
VmwViddCore  
SmartCardSingleUserTSCore  
FlashURLRedirection Flash URL RedirectionEnables Flash URL Redirection for internal company controlled web pages. 
RDSH3D 3D RDSHThis feature enables hardware 3D acceleration in RDSH sessions. 
SVIAgent VMware Horizon View Composer AgentVMware Horizon View Composer Agent RDSH installs: This machine can be used as the parent image for provisioning Automated Farms 
NGVC VMware Horizon Instant Clone AgentHorizon Instant Clone Agent should only be installed on a virtual machine running on VMware vSphere 6.0/2015 U1 or later. It cannot be co-installed with Horizon View Composer Agent. 
ScannerRedirection Scanner RedirectionEnables the Scanner Redirection feature. 
SerialPortRedirection Serial Port RedirectionEnables the Serial Port Redirection feature. 
SmartCard Smartcard RedirectionEnables the Smartcard Redirection feature. 
TSMMR TSMMRTerminal Services Multimedia Redirection. Does not support IPv6 configuration. 
ThinPrint Virtual PrintingVirtual Printer Support 
PrintRedir VMware Integrated PrintingVMware Integrated Printing Redirection. 
USB USB RedirectionUSB Redirection. Refer to the VMware Horizon 7 Security document for guidance on using USB redirection securely. 
V4V vRealize Operations Desktop AgentvRealize Operations Desktop Agent. Does not support IPv6 configuration. 
VPA VMware Horizon 7 Persona ManagementVMware Horizon 7 Persona Management 
VmwVaudio VMware AudioVMware virtual Audio driver 
DeviceBridgeBAS Device Bridge BAS PluginEnables finger scanners supported by BAS system 
SdoSensor SDO Sensor RedirectionEnables Simple Device Orientation(SDO) Sensor Redirection feature, reports device orientation changes to remote desktop. 
CIT VMware Client IP TransparencyThis feature allows remote connections to Internet Explorer to use the Client’s IP address instead of this machine’s. Does not support IPv6 configuration. 
HybridLogon Hybrid LogonEnables Hybrid logon which allows an unauthenticated user access to network resources without the need to enter credentials. 
HelpDesk Help Desk Plugin for Horizon AgentHelp Desk Plugin for Horizon Agent. 
RDP Enable RDP (hidden)  
BlastUDPCore  
Core Core[ProductName] core functionalityINSTALLDIR
VMWMediaProviderProxy VMware Virtualization Pack for Skype for BusinessThis feature will enable optimization for Skype for Business in remote desktop 
ClientDriveRedirection Client Drive RedirectionAllow Horizon View Clients to share local drives with their remote desktops and applications. Does not support IPv6 configuration. 
RTAV Real-Time Audio-VideoReal-Time Audio-Video enables users to redirect locally connected audio and video peripherals back to the remote desktop for use. 
FLASHMMR Flash RedirectionFlash Redirection 
GEOREDIR Geolocation RedirectionEnables redirection of client’s geolocation to the remote desktop 
PerfTracker Horizon Performance TrackerEnables Horizon Performance Tracker 
Horizon Agent 7.x Release MSI Features

If you want to download the spreadsheet version of the table above/below you can find it below. Note there is a bonus within the spreadsheet: MSI Property comparision between Horizon Agent 7.x and Horizon Agent 8.x and two MSI Properties have been removed VDM_FLASH_URL_REDIRECTION and INSTALL_VDIDISPLAY_DRIVER (Part of the Core in 8.x).

Deprecated/Delta Features between 7.x and 8.x/YYMM release

From the table above, we know all the switches of the Horizon Agent 7.x and 8.x versions. Once we compare the above two tables, we are left with the following delta, and I have commented on whether each feature exists or is removed. Please make sure to remove them from your existing scripts or silent installers if you had added them during your Horizon 7.x installs.

Feature (s38)Title (L64)Description (L255)Additional Comments
FlashURLRedirectionFlash URL RedirectionEnables Flash URL Redirection for internal company controlled web pages.Flash come to EOL in 2020. Feature has been deprecated
SVIAgentVMware Horizon View Composer AgentVMware Horizon View Composer Agent RDSH installs: This machine can be used as the parent image for provisioning Automated FarmsVMware Compose was replaced by Instant Clones
ThinPrintVirtual PrintingVirtual Printer SupportThinPrint is replaced by VMware Integrated Printing
VPAVMware Horizon 7 Persona ManagementVMware Horizon 7 Persona ManagementPersona is replaced by App Volumes or DEM or FSLogic
DeviceBridgeBASDevice Bridge BAS PluginEnables finger scanners supported by BAS systemFeature has been deprecated
CITVMware Client IP TransparencyThis feature allows remote connections to Internet Explorer to use the Client’s IP address instead of this machine’s. Does not support IPv6 configuration.Feature has been deprecated
FLASHMMRFlash RedirectionFlash RedirectionFlash come to EOL in 2020. Feature has been deprecated
Delta or Deprecated feature list after comparing the above two tables

I hope you will find this post useful to perform silent installs on Horizon Agent. My request is if you find any additional delta or enhancements, please make sure to share it back with me.

Thanks,
Aresh Sarkari

Reference – Check out the VMware documentation on Silent Installation Properties for Horizon Agent (vmware.com)