Administration guide for Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop software

Migrate from Webex Meetings VDI to Webex App VDI

Migration from Webex Meetings VDI to Webex App VDI is now open. Refer to Webex Meetings desktop app VDI to Webex app VDI migration guide to learn more.

Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) technology lets you deploy and manage users' desktops in an on-premises or cloud data center. Using thin clients, your users connect to their hosted virtual desktops in the data center. A thin client can be a traditional PC, or a thin-client device. This centralized approach can help to lower costs, and to improve operations and security.

The Cisco Webex Meetings application provides an enhanced experience in VDI environments. If it must travel through the data center, the additional bandwidth required for audio and video can cause a bottleneck. The application improves performance by routing all audio and video streams directly between the thin client and Webex Meetings cloud.

Architecture of the Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software

The Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Software provides the same architecture components as a video device.

Requirements—Microsoft Windows

To deploy the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop App, ensure that your deployment meets the following requirements:

Software in the data center

Microsoft Windows on the hosted virtual desktops (HVD):
- Windows 8
- Windows 10
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2016
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206

XenApp is now known as Citrix Virtual App and XenDesktop is known as Citrix Desktop.

This release supports only Citrix Desktop.

OR
VMware Horizon
- VMware Horizon 7 version 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, or 7.11
- VMware Horizon Agent 8 version 2111
  
  VMware Horizon HTML Access is not supported.

Citrix (on thin client)

Citrix Workspace App (formerly Citrix Receiver)—any version that supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206.

VMware (on thin client)

VMware Horizon Client for Windows versions 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, or 2209.

Hardware

All thin clients that run Microsoft Windows 10, and that meet following minimum requirements:

Processor: AMD Embedded G-Series GX-420GI Radeon R7E 2.00GHz Cores 2

Memory: 4G
Processor: 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6500TE processor

Memory: 4G

Cisco-tested thin clients

HP t630
HP t640
HP t730
HP t740
Dell Optiplex 7060
Dell Wyse 5070
Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q

Requirements—Ubuntu

To deploy the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop App, ensure that the following requirements are met:

Software in the data center

Microsoft Windows on the hosted virtual desktops (HVD):
- Windows 8
- Windows 10
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206

XenApp is now known as Cirtix Virtual App and XenDesktop is known as Citrix Desktop.

This release supports only Citrix Desktop.

Citrix (on thin client)

Citrix Workspace App (formerly Citrix Receiver): any version that supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206

Hardware

All hardware thin clients that run Ubuntu 16.04 64–bit, and meet the following minimum requirements:

Processor: AMD Embedded G-Series GX-420GI Radeon R7E 2.00GHz Cores 2

Memory: 4G
Processor: 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6500TE processor

Memory: 4G

Cisco-tested thin clients

HP t630
HP t640
HP t730
HP t740
Dell Optiplex 7060
Dell Wyse 5070
Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q

Requirements—Unicon eLux

To deploy the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop App, ensure that the following requirements are met:

Software in the data center

Microsoft Windows on the hosted virtual desktops (HVD):
- Windows 8
- Windows 10
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206

Citrix Virtual App is not supported.

Citrix (on thin client)

Citrix Workspace App (formerly Citrix Receiver): any version that supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1906, 1912, 2012, 2103, 2206.

Recommended version: Citrix Receiver 4.12.0 and later.

Hardware

All hardware Thin Clients that run eLux 6.5.2000 64–bit, and meet the following minimum requirements:

Processor: AMD Embedded G-Series GX-420GI Radeon R7E 2.00GHz Cores 2

Memory: 4G
Processor: 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6500TE processor

Memory: 4G

Cisco-tested thin clients

HP t630
HP t730
HP t740

Requirements—HP ThinPro, and Dell Wyse Thin OS

The Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin comes preinstalled for supported HP ThinPro, & Dell Wyse Thin OS versions.

Supported HP Thin Clients

HP t740 Thin Client

OS: ThinPro 7.1/ThinPro 7.2

CPU: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B with Radeon Vega Gfx, quad core 3.25GHz

Minimum Memory:4G

HP mt46 Mobile Thin Client

OS: ThinPro 7.1/ThinPro 7.2

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U with Radeon Graphics, quad core 2.50GHz

Minimum Memory: 8G

HP t640 Thin Client

OS: ThinPro 7.1/ThinPro 7.2

CPU: AMD Ryzen Embedded R1505G with Radeon Vega Gfx, dual core 2.40GHz

Minimum Memory:4G

HP mt22 Mobile Thin Client

OS: ThinPro 7.1/ThinPro 7.2

CPU: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 5205U, dual core 1.90GHz

Minimum Memory:8G

HP t730 Thin Client

OS: ThinPro 7.1/ThinPro 7.2

CPU: AMD RX-427BB with AMD Radeon R7 Graphics, quad core 2.70GHz

Minimum Memory:4G

Dell Wyse 5070

OS: Win10 IoT 64-bit LTSC 2019
CPU: Intel Celeron™ J4105 (4 Cores/4MB/4T/up to 2.5GHz/10W)
Minimum memory: 4GB 1x4GB, 2400MHz DDR
32 GB eMMC, on-board

Requirements—IGEL OS

To deploy the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop App, ensure that the following requirements are met.

Software in the data center

Microsoft Windows on the hosted virtual desktops (HVD):
- Windows 10
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
Citrix
- Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 CR 2209
- Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2203 LTSR CU1
- Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1912 LTSR CU6
- XenApp and XenDesktop (7.15 LTSR up to CU8)
VMware Horizon
- VMware Horizon 7 version 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10 or 7.11
- VMware Horizon Agent 8 2111
- VMware Horizon HTML Access is not supported

Software on the endpoint

Citrix
- IGEL OS 11.04.100 or later / Citrix Workspace App 18.10.0.11 or later
VMware Horizon
- IGEL OS 11.04.100 or later / VMware Horizon Client 5.4.1-15988340 or later
Hardware

All hardware running IGEL OS 11.04.100 or later that meets the following minimum requirements:
- CPU: Any 64-bit x86 CPU (2 cores min. / 4 cores recommended)
- RAM: 2GB (4GB recommended)
- HDD / Flash: 2 GB (4 GB recommended)
- I/O ports: USB 2.0 (or later) for accessories (Headset, Webcam, etc.)

Feature toggle

Test the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) plugin

To test the VDI plugin for a few users, enable the native VDI feature by adding the following registry keys to their Hosted Virtual Desktops (HVD) (add both keys if you don't know if the Windows OS is 32-bit or 64-bit).

Key:

For 32-bit versions: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Webex\NativeVDI
For 64-bit versions: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Webex\NativeVDI

Value:

Name Type Data

Name	Type	Data
`VDIFeatureEnabled`	REG_DWORD	`1` - Enabled `0` - Disabled Others - Ignore

VDIFeatureEnabled

REG_DWORD

1 - Enabled

0 - Disabled

Others - Ignore

Installation workflow

Use this procedure to install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop software components.

Before you begin

Set up and test the Citrix or VMware connection between the thin clients and the hosted virtual desktops (HVD).

For more information about installation and configuration, see the documentation for your Citrix or VMware solution.

On the thin clients, install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop plugin.

The Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop plugin is available for the following operating systems:

Microsoft Windows
Ubuntu
Unicon eLux
IGEL OS

Follow the installation procedure for your thin client OS.

The Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop plugin comes preinstalled for supported IGEL and Dell Wyse Thin OS versions.

Install the Webex Meetings App on the Hosted Virtual Desktops (HVDs).

Install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin on the thin clients—Microsoft Windows

Before you begin

Install or update your Citrix or VMware solution before you install the plugin.

Download the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin for Windows:

Download webexvdi.msi from your Webex site: https://<sitename>.webex.com/webappng/sites/<sitename>/dashboard/download where you replace <sitename> with your site name. Click Download the Webex Meetings VDI plugin, then Download on the Windows plugin.
Download the plugin directly from Webex. See the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Infrastructure release notes for links to the latest plugin downloads.

Install the plugin by double-clicking the WebexVDIPlugin.msi file, or run the command as an administrator.

Click Next.
Review and select the way you want the feature to be installed.
Click Install.
Click Yes on the pop-up dialog box to permit the installation.
Click Finish.

The plugin is installed.

Install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin on the Thin Clients—Ubuntu

1	Download the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin for Ubuntu. Download `webexvdi-ubuntu_amd64.deb` from your Webex site: `https://<sitename>.webex.com/webappng/sites/<sitename>/dashboard/download` where you replace <sitename> with your site name. Click Download the Webex Meetings VDI plugin, then Download on the Ubuntu plugin. Download the plugin directly from Webex. See the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Infrastructure release notes for links to the latest plugin downloads. Depending on your browser settings, the file downloads to the Downloads folder or to the folder of your choice.
2	Extract the `.deb` file from the `.zip` file if necessary.
3	Double-click the `.deb` file and then click Install to proceed with the installation.
4	Enter you user name and password and click Authenticate. After the system reboots, the newly-installed upgrade is ready to use.

Install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin on the Thin Clients—Unicon eLux

The follow procedure requires familiarity with Scout ELIAS. For more information about how to use Scout ELIAS, see the documentation available from Unicon eLux.

Download the Cisco Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin for eLux.

Download the zip archive from your Webex site: https://<sitename>.webex.com/webappng/sites/<sitename>/dashboard/download where you replace <sitename> with your site name. Click Download the Webex Meetings VDI plugin, then Download on the Linux eLux plugin.
Download the plugin directly from Webex. See the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Infrastructure release notes for links to the latest plugin downloads.

Extract the files from the downloaded zip archive.

Import this package through Scout ELIAS.

Select the eLux file from Devices.
Edit the .idf file.
From the Container select Import Package... and move the Webex Meetings VDI File from the Available Packages to the Defined Packages column.

The name of the package must match the name in the local data base.
To select the name of the package click the dots… in Configuration row.

Select the Firmware tab and from the drop-down option select the Image file.

Configure your device in the Network, Security, Screen, Hardware, Power Management, and Multimedia tabs.

The system restarts multiple times during this process. Ensure that you set the Network settings to Never Change.

Select the eLux Device and click Commands > Update Info to send the firmware update through the Scout Console.

Click Execute.

Install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin on the Thin Clients—IGEL OS

Deployment

Since IGEL OS 11.06.100, each release of IGEL OS contains three different versions of the Cisco Webex Meetings VDI Client. These versions enable customers to switch to the appropriate Cisco Webex Meetings Client version if needed, if there is an update within the customers backend. In accordance with the N-7 compatibility rule for Webex Meetings VDI the containing VDI-client versions complement one another and empower IT to update the version of Cisco Webex Meetings on their servers and within their backend without having to deploy anything on your IGEL OS-based clients.

Configuration

To enable Cisco Webex Meetings VDI on IGEL OS, create a new profile within the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) or edit / update an already existing profile. Within the UMS console, expand IGEL Universal Management Suite 6, and right-click on Profiles. Then click on New Profile.

Enter a meaningful name, a short description about the purpose of this configuration (optional) and select the IGEL OS Version you are targeting with this profile within the Based on dropdown selection.
To enable Cisco Webex Meetings VDI Client for a Citrix backend, expand Sessions > Citrix > Citrix Global > Unified Communications > Cisco.
Select Cisco Webex Meetings VDI.
To enable Cisco Webex Meetings VDI Client for a VMware horizon backend, expand Sessions > Horizon Client > Horizon Client Global > Unified Communications > Cisco.
Select Cisco Webex Meetings VDI.
Save the profile.
Assign the profile to devices by selecting the profile created and click the plus sign on top of Assigned objects.
Select the folders that contain the set of devices to deploy this configuration to and use the arrow to the right to assign the configuration to these objects.
Click OK to proceed.

Determine Cisco Webex Meetings VDI Client version.

Create a new profile or modify the profile created within step 2 to activate the proper Webex Meetings VDI Client version matching the version running on your VDIs.
Within the profile, select Sessions > Unified Communications > Cisco Webex Meetings VDI Selection.
Activate the setting and use the dropdown list to select e.g. 42.6.8.5
As already mentioned, IGEL OS always contains three versions to choose from.
Save and deploy your settings.

In case of a separate profile, don’t forget to assign the created profile to your devices!

Install the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin on the Thin Clients—HP Thinpro

1	Download the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Plugin for HP Thinpro. Download `webexvdi-thinpro_amd64.deb` from your Webex site: `https://<sitename>.webex.com/webappng/sites/<sitename>/dashboard/download` where you replace <sitename> with your site name. Click Download the Webex Meetings VDI plugin, then Download on the HP Thinpro plugin. Download the plugin directly from Webex. See the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop Infrastructure release notes for links to the latest plugin downloads. Depending on your browser settings, the file downloads to the Downloads folder or to the folder of your choice.
2	Go to Start > Tools and open X Terminal.
3	Go to the folder where you downloaded the file.
4	Insert the command `fsunlock`.
5	Insert the command `sudo dpkg -I webexvdi-thinpro_amd64.deb`
6	Launch Citrix Workspace or VMWare Horizon to use.

Install the Webex Meetings App on the Hosted Virtual Desktops

1	Log in to the hosted virtual desktop (HVD).
2	Download the Cisco Webex Meetings desktop app from your company website.
3	Double-click the .msi file and follow the prompts to install the Meetings desktop app on the HVD.
4	In the Personal Room, select the down arrow on the right side of the Start Meeting or Join Meeting button.
5	Select Always start from desktop app to open the meeting in the virtual desktop app.
6	Select Start meeting or Join meeting to join in meeting.

What to do next

Start a meeting and check the title bar; for a VDI meeting, the title bar says Cisco Webex Meetings –VDI .

The Preview banner is solid white when you join using VDI. During the meeting, the action bar is fixed and not transparent, and it overlaps the video area.