Configure Microsoft Teams offloading in VMware Horizon

With VMware new Horizon 8 Horizon 2006 , VMware introduce new Optimization support for Microsoft Teams and zoom ,The Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams redirects audio calls, video calls, and viewing desktop shares for a seamless experience between the client system and the remote session without negatively affecting the virtual infrastructure and overloading the network. Teams media processing takes place on the client machine instead of in the virtual desktop.

The Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams offers the following features:

  • Accepting and making audio and video calls
  • Multiparty audio and video conferencing
  • Transfer, forward, mute, hold, and resume a call
  • PSTN calls via dial pad
  • Desktop screen sharing
  • Multi monitor screen sharing and screen picker for screen sharing
  • Volume control from the remote desktop
  • Active speaker identification

The Optimization for Microsoft Teams configuration Require :

  1. Microsoft Azure /365 in backend  : where the client would connect to establish the connection
  2. Microsoft Teams Client (Optimized) x32 or x64 bit
  3. Virtual desktop and client machine (where horizon client installed) operating system should be windows 10 x32 or x64 bit
  4.  
  5. Enough resource in virtual desktop : Minimum requirement is 2 vCPU
  6. Network with IPv4, reachability of vDesktops and Horizon client to Microsoft 365
  7. Install Media Feature Pack  :https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48231.   
  8. For Microsoft Teams offloading you need at least an advanced Horizon license

Limitation \ Not working:

  • Web browser horizon client is not supported
  • Still Linux and ThinOS do not support these feature
  • RDS hosts and application pools are not supported.
  • HID buttons to answer and end calls are not supported.
  • Virtual backgrounds are not supported.
  • Live events are not supported.
  • Desktop screen sharing give or take control is not supported.
  • Pop out chat is not supported.
  • Gallery View in meetings is not supported.
  • The camera light stays on if the user puts the video call on hold (but video will not be sent).
  • During a video call, when a remote desktop user starts a desktop share, the user’s video automatically turns off. After ending the desktop share, the remote desktop user can click the video button to turn the video back on.
  • Only one video stream from an incoming camera or screen share stream is supported. During an incoming screen share, that screen share is shown instead of the video of the dominant speaker.

The installation

To make it work it require to do configuration in 3 locations:

  • In vDesktops Master Image :
  • In End User Client/Thin Client 
  • In AD Group Policy 

In vDesktops Master Image :

  • Install Horizon Agent before you install Microsoft Teams (Horizon 2006 only , horizon 7.x is not supported )
  • The Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams group policy setting must be enabled to use the feature
  • Download the Teams MSI package that matches your VDI VM operating system using one of the following links:
  • 32-bit version
  • 64-bit version
  • Install the MSI to the VDI VM by running the following commands (for floating desktops

msiexec /i <path_to_msi> /l*v <install_logfile_name> ALLUSER=1 ALLUSERS=1

In End User Client/Thin Client  :

  • Windows 10 user machine
  • Install Horizon Client 2006
  • Download the Horizon 2006 client, link
  • Install the client and select “Customize installation”
  • Scroll down and select “Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams”
  • After the installation reboot the Windows client
  • Install Media Feature Pack  :https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48231.   

In Active Directory

  • Download Horizon GPO template bundle
  • Import the bundle to AD
  • Create a GPO and  and map it to vDesktop OU
  • Go to Computer Configuration Policies Administrative Templates VMware View Agent ConfigurationVMware HTML5 Features VMware WebRTC Redirection Features
  • Enable the Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams setting

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