Part 5 of the series will be configuring the environment so Horizon View can be accessed remotely. There are some ports that need to be opened up on your firewall to the Security Server. As every environment is different I will show how my environment looks so you can mirror it.


vBoring Blog Series:

  1. VMware Horizon View 7: Deployment and Installation

  2. VMware Horizon View 7: Apply SSL Certificates

  3. VMware Horizon View 7: Create Events Database

  4. VMware Horizon View 7: Add Microsoft RDS Farm

  5. VMware Horizon View 7: Setup Remote Access through Security Server

  6. VMware Horizon View 7: Create Master Desktop Template

  7. VMware Horizon View 7: Automated Desktop Pool

  8. VMware Horizon View 7: Instant Clone Desktop Pool

Firewall Rules:

You need to have ports 443 (HTTPS), 8443 (Blast for HTML access), and 4172 (PCoIP) open externally for your Security Server.

VMware Horizon View 7: Setup Remote Access through Security Server [Part 5]_virtual desktop

Note: If your Security Server is in the DMZ use this VMware KB to open additional ports from your Security Server to your core network: VMware KB 1027217 – VMware View ports and network connectivity requirements 

I use pfSense as my firewall and have ports 443, 4172 and 8443 port forwarded to my security server.

VMware Horizon View 7: Setup Remote Access through Security Server [Part 5]_virtual desktop_02

Edit Security/Connection External URL:

Now the ports are opened we need to configure the external settings on both Security and Connection Servers. In the Administrator Console, drill down to View Configuration -> Servers -> Security Servers tab, select the server then click Edit:

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Change the fields to your external DNS name and external IP address. Ensure the :PORT is left on there. Click Ok:

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We need to do the same thing on the Connection Server:

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The Connection Server needs to mirror its Security Server. Click OK:

Read more about the External URLs in the Horizon 7 Deployment Guide

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Now try to connect externally! I use my phone and go over the cellular network for external testing. If everything is configured correctly it should connect and be able to launch applications & desktops remotely!

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Coming Soon: Setup 2 Factor Authentication using Google Authenticator


Proceed to the next step:

VMware Horizon View 7: Create Desktop Template