What is a Composer server? Well, a Composer server is an optional role that we can deploy when we want to utilize Linked Clones. Linked Clones allows us to conserve space and utilize a single image for the deployment of multiple virtual machines. This method of deployment allows us to manage virtual desktops a lot more efficiently and also ensure that we’re not over-consuming costly storage space.
Blog Series Articles:
- Introduction – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – What’s New?
- Part 1 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Connection Server
- Part 2 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Replica Server
- Part 3 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Composer Server
- Part 4 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – vCenter Operations Manager for View
- Part 5 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Deploying Horizon Workspace
- Part 6 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Deploying Horizon Mirage
- Part 7 – Deploying Horizon 6 (with View) – Configuring Persona Management
Virtual Machine Requirements
Operating System Requirements
1. Let’s begin the installation by launching the composer install (VMware-viewcomposer-6.0.1-209842)
2. At the Welcome wizard, click on Next >
3. Accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA) and click on Next >
4. Choose the installation path and click on Next >
5. Now it’s time to configure the ODBC connection. First thing that I like to do is configure the ODBC connection manually before starting the View Composer server installation, however you can always created during the installation. So to begin, simply navigate to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> ODBC Data Sources (64-bit). Once the ODBC connection administrator is open, navigate to System DSN -> Add… this will allow you to create a new ODBC connection. Since I am using SQL Server 2012, I downloaded the Native SQL Server Client Version 11 and installed it. This will allow me to chose the version 11 client when I am creating my ODBC connection to my SQL server 2012.
On the Create New Data Source, I chose SQL Server Native Client 11.0
6. You will then need to configure the Name, Description, and Server (point to the SQL server hosting the database). I will mention one thing, is that you need to create the database yourself manually before creating the ODBC connection. To create the database manually, refer to my article here.
7. Next, you’ll need to connect to the SQL server, typically here you can use either a SQL server account or Windows Integrated Authentication
8. You will now need to chose the database you’ve created earlier. If you’re using the same SQL server for your vCenter Server, make sure to NOT use the vCenter Database, always have a separate databsae for your Composer Server
9. Next, We’ll need to validate the settings and and ensure the connection is successful
10. Next, we’ll need to specify the connection information we used earlier to create the ODBC connection
11. Validate your SOAP port number and change if you have to, otherwise keeping it at 18443 is perfectly fine, click Next >
12. Confirm the settings you’ve select and begin the install by clicking on Install
That’s it folks! Now the composer server is installed.
