Webex Meetings VDI Release Notes

Audio and video for meetings requires significant bandwidth, and can cause a bottleneck going through the data center. Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software provides an enhanced experience in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments. The VDI software consists of the Webex Meetings app on the hosted virtual desktops (HVD) and the plugin on the thin clients. The software routes audio and video streams between the thin client and Webex Meetings cloud, without going through the HVD in the datacenter.

Overview

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

With VDI, instead of a traditional desktop, you have a thin client and a hosted virtual desktop.

A thin client is a typically less costly and less powerful device than a desktop computer. Your organization may even use older, less powerful PCs as thin clients. Your hosted virtual desktop resides in a central server location called a data center. Your hosted virtual desktop includes your

  • Microsoft Windows desktop

  • Applications (such as Webex)

  • Data

Using your thin client, you access your hosted virtual desktop over a secure Citrix or VMware connection.

Webex works with VDI. However, sending the additional data that audio and video calls require, through the hosted virtual desktops, causes communications delays. This limitation is called the "hairpin" effect.

Download

You can download the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software from your company website.

To download the webexvdi.msi plugin package, go to https://<sitename>.webex.com/webappng/sites/<sitename>/dashboard/download and replace <sitename> with your company name.

Administrators

See the Administration Guide for more information about supported features, and how to deploy the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software solution.

For information about VMware installation, please visit: https://docs.vmware.com/

For information about Citrix installation, please visit: https://support.citrix.com/

What's New 42.7

What's New 42.7

Quarterly release and N-7 support of VDI plugin

Meetings VDI updates now happen quarterly. Every four months there is a new update for the VDI plugin, which is aligned with slow channel (4x.2, 4x.6, 4x.10). Each plugin supports eight higher versions of the Meetings app. For example, 42.6 VDI plugin is compatible with 42.6-43.1 Meetings app.

Meanwhile, the VDI plugin is compatible with the previous slow channel version. For example, 42.10 VDI plugin also supports 42.6 Meetings app.

Build Number

Release

Build Number

Cisco Webex Meetings Desktop App Release 42.7

42.7.0.x

Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plug-in Release 42.7

42.7.0.x

What's New in 42.2

Meetings VDI to extend maximum video ports from 3x3 to 5x5 in grid view

Webex Meetings VDI to extend the maximum video ports from 3x3 to 5x5 in grid view mode. Your administrator controls the maximum video ports from Webex Control Hub.

To enable the feature, add the following registry key and value to the HVD registry (not thin client):

  • Registry path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\CiscoWebex

  • Key Name: WebexVDIUnlimitVideoPortPolicy

  • Type: DWORD

  • Value: 1

Build Number

Release

Build Number

Cisco Webex Meetings Desktop App Release 42.2

42.2.0.x

Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plug-in Release 42.2

42.2.0.x

What's New in 42.1

Webex Meetings VDI supports audio background noise reduction on Windows thin client

Webex Meetings VDI supports background noise reduction on Windows thin client. The user from Windows thin client device can enable or disable the background noise reduction in Webex Meetings VDI.

Build Number

Release

Build Number

Cisco Webex Meetings Desktop App Release 42.1

42.1.0.x

Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plug-in Release 42.1

42.1.0.x

(44.2.1.6) March 2024

March 12, 2024

February 28, 2024

July 12, 2023

(43.2.1.18) January 2023

January 15, 2023

Requirements

General Requirements

We support the Webex Meetings VDI on a popular VDI infrastructure. When new platforms are added for a specific release, they are included in the notes under the Release tab for that specific release. You can find the complete list of platforms in the Administration Guide for Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software Release 41.x.

As of November 2022, we support Citrix Desktop versions 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, and 2206, and Windows Server versions 2012 and 2016.

Thin Client OSCitrix Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) Citrix XenApp (Desktop Publishing)VMware

Windows 10

40.7

40.11

41.6

Mac OS (Big Sur, Monterey)

41.11

41.11

41.11

Ubuntu (16.04/18.04)

40.8

40.11

40.12

Unicon eLux

40.8

40.11

40.12

IGEL

40.8

40.11

40.12

Dell Wyse

41.2.0

41.2.0

41.10

HP ThinPro OS 7.x

40.11.0

40.11.0

41.6

10ZiG Zero Clients Thin Client

41.5

41.5

Connection Broker for the Hosted Virtual Desktop (HVD)

  • Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

  • VMware Horizon


 
You can't launch Webex Meetings from the Webex App deployed on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). VDI plugins for Webex App and Webex Meetings function independently and AVD doesn't support full-featured Webex meeting deployments.

Thin Client Operating System

  • Windows 10

  • HP ThinPro 7.1, 7.2

  • Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04, 20.04

  • Unicon eLux 6.9

  • IGEL OS 11.04

  • Dell Wyse ThinOS 9.1

  • 10ZiG

  • Mac VDI

Limitations

The Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software supports most of the Webex Meetings Desktop features, unless otherwise noted:

Limitations for 43.6

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Simultaneous interpretation isn't supported in VDI

  • Blur and virtual backgrounds are supported on ThinOS and IGEL OS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • VDI Meetings doesn't support customized Virtual Background

  • For Webex meeting VDI to support VMWare 2111, upgrade to version 42.4

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Background Noise Reduction is supported on Windows thin-client, ThinOS and IGEL OS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • High FPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration is not supported on Windows thin-client and Linux thin-client with AMD graphic cards

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Limitations for 43.2

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Simultaneous interpretation isn't supported in VDI

  • Blur and virtual backgrounds are supported on ThinOS and IGEL OS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • VDI Meetings doesn't support customized Virtual Background

  • For Webex meeting VDI to support VMWare 2111, upgrade to version 42.4

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Background Noise Reduction is supported on Windows thin-client, ThinOS and IGEL OS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • High FPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration is not supported on Windows thin-client and Linux thin-client with AMD graphic cards

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

  • Ubuntu 22.04 is not supported

Limitations for 42.10

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Simultaneous interpretation isn't supported in VDI

  • Blur and virtual backgrounds are supported on ThinOS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • VDI Meetings doesn't support customized Virtual Background

  • For Webex meeting VDI to support VMWare 2111, upgrade to version 42.4

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Background Noise Reduction is supported on Windows thin-client, ThinOS and IGEL OS but not on other Linux thin-clients

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • High FPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration not supported on Windows thin-client and Linux thin-client with AMD graphic cards

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

  • CVAD 7 2206 is not supported

  • Ubuntu 22.04 is not supported

  • Audio Watermark isn’t supported in VDI

Limitations for 42.6

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Simultaneous interpretation isn't supported in VDI

  • Blur and virtual backgrounds are supported on ThinOS but not on Linux thin-client

  • VDI Meetings doesn't support customized Virtual Background.

  • For Webex meeting VDI to support VMWare 2111, upgrade to version 42.4

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Limitations for 42.3 and 42.4

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • VDI Meetings doesn't support customized Virtual Background.

  • For Webex meeting VDI to support VMWare 2111, upgrade to version 42.4

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin-client)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Limitations for 41.10

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin-client)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Limitations for 41.8

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Big Event (Linux thin-client)

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin-client)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

  • Mac OS bugs

Limitations for 41.7

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Breakout room sessions

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Big Event (Linux thin-client)

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin-client)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Limitations for 41.6 and Earlier

Webex Meetings Desktop Virtual Software doesn’t support the following:

  • Dual Monitor display is abnormal for new versions of VMWare Horizon Client 8.x and 5.x

  • Breakout room sessions

  • Parse WPAD file for proxy setting

  • Big Event (Linux thin-client)

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin-client)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Auto-upgrade of Webex Desktop Application under Citrix VDI

  • HFPS application share or desktop share is not supported on Linux OS thin-client. Low FPS share is supported.

  • Supports Share Content (desktop and apps) with Optimize for text and images, but not Optimize for motion and video

  • Local recording

  • Immersive Share (Presenter View)

  • Video hardware acceleration (Linux thin-client)

  • Annotation during desktop share

  • Remote desktop control during desktop share

  • Breakout room sessions

  • Blur and virtual background (Linux thin clients)

  • Background Noise Reduction

  • Vmware VDI on ThinOS thin-client

  • Vmware VDI on ThinPro thin-client

  • VMware Shared Session Desktop

  • Citrix XenApp Published Application Mode

  • VMware Shared Published Application

  • Vmware VDI on 10Zig thin-client

  • For Webex VDI optimization meetings, multiple color themes and dark mode is disabled

Compatibility between the Webex Meetings Desktop App and the thin client plugin

For Webex Meetings Desktop App to function with the IGEL OS 11, firmware updates are required. To know which version is compatible with the version you are running see, Software Downloads.


 
Webex Meeting VDI supports backward compatibility: the latest Webex VDI release supports the latest Webex VDI plugin as well as seven previous plugin releases (N-7).

 
If you are using a lower version of the plugin, but a higher version of the HVD, you will still get the feature list that is corresponding to the lower version of meeting client.

If Meeting Key Digits and End-to-End Encryption v2 (E2EE)) are both off, it is compatible with previous 41.2.x,41.3.x,41.4.x,41.5.2+. It won't be compatible with the version before 41.2. If anyone of the 2 features is ON, then it won't be compatible with previous 41.2.x,41.3.x,41.4.x,41.5.2+.


 
From Meetings Client Version 43.6(HVD), the meeting vdi client is compatible with all plugin versions starting from 43.2 until future releases.

From the 42.6 version, Webex Meetings VDI changed the compatibility rule to N-7, detail as below:

Meetings Thin Client Plugin Versions

Compatible HVD Versions

43.6.x

43.2.x (Slow Channel)

43.6.x

43.7.x

43.8.x

43.9.x

43.10.x

43.11.x

43.12.x

44.1.x

43.2.x

42.10.x (Slow Channel)

43.2.x

43.3.x

43.4.x

43.5.x

43.6.x

43.7.x

43.8.x

43.9.x

42.10.x

42.6.x (Slow Channel)

42.10.x

42.11.x

42.12.x

43.1.x

43.2.x

43.3.x

43.4.x

43.5.x

42.6.x

42.6.x

42.7.x

42.8.x

42.9.x

42.10.x

42.11.x

42.12.x

43.1.x

42.2.x

42.2.x

42.3.x

42.4.x

42.5.x

42.6.x

42.7.x

42.8.x

42.9.x

Before 42.6 version, the compatibility follows the N-4, detail as below:

Meetings Client Version (HVD)

Compatible Thin Client Plugin Versions

42.6.x

42.6.x

42.5.x

42.4.x

42.3.x

42.2.x

42.4.x

42.4.x

42.3.x

42.2.x

42.1.x

41.12.x

42.3.x

42.3.x

42.2.x

42.1.x

41.12.x

41.11.x

42.2.x

42.2.x

42.1.x

41.12.x

41.11.x

41.10.x

42.1.x

42.1.x

41.12.x

41.11.x

41.10.x

41.9.x

Open Caveats in Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software Release 42.1 and 42.2

There are no open caveats (bugs) for this release.