VMware View 5.x Components

You can use VMware View with VMware vCenter Server to create desktops from virtual machines that are running on VMware ESX® or VMware ESXi™ hosts and deploy these desktops to end users. In addition, VMware View uses your existing Active Directory infrastructure for user authentication and management.

After you create a desktop, authorized end users can use Web-based or locally installed client software to securely connect to centralized virtual desktops, back-end physical systems, or terminal servers.

VMware View consists of the following major components:

■	View Connection Server – a software service that acts as a broker for client connections by authenticating and then directing incoming user requests to the appropriate virtual desktop, physical desktop, or terminal server.

■	View Agent – a software service that is installed on all guest virtual machines, physical systems, or terminal servers in order to allow them to be managed by VMware View. The agent provides features such as connection monitoring, Virtual Printing, USB support, and single sign-on.

■	View Client – a software application that communicates with View Connection Server to allow users to connect to their desktops.

■	View Client with Local Mode – a version of View Client that is extended to support the local desktop feature, which allows users to download virtual machines and use them on their local systems.

■	View Administrator – a Web application that allows View administrators to configure View Connection Server, deploy and manage desktops, control user authentication, initiate and examine system events, and carry out analytical activities.

■	vCenter Server – a server that acts as a central administrator for ESX/ESXi hosts that are connected on a network. A vCenter Server provides the central point for configuring, provisioning, and managing virtual machines in the datacenter.

■	View Composer – a software service that is installed on a vCenter server to allow VMware View to rapidly deploy multiple linked-clone desktops from a single centralized base image.

■	View Transfer Server – a software service that manages and streamlines data transfers between the datacenter and View desktops that are checked out for use on end users' local systems. View Transfer Server is required to support desktops that run View Client with Local Mode.