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The View Composer feature enables View Manager administrators to rapidly clone and deploy multiple desktops from a single centralized base image, called a Parent VM. Once the desktops have been created they remain indirectly linked to a snapshot residing on the Parent VM. Below you can find a very straight formward installation explanation.

The View Composer service must be installed locally on the VirtualCenter server.

1. The first Thing is to make a SQL database and a ODBC. I prefer a SQL 2005 database.
   • Make a new database and give it a name such as 'ViewComposer'
   • Make a new user like 'ViewComposer. You can use your own fantasy here.
   • Make this User DB Owner. Otherwise you will get a 28011 error whil install View Composer.
2. The second is Adding a ODBC data source.
   
   • On the VirtualCenter server host system select Start > Administrative Tools > Data Source (ODBC). The Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator wizard is displayed.
   • Select the System DSN tab
   • Click Add and select SQL Native Client from the list.
   • Click Finish. The Create a New Data Source to SQL Server setup wizard is displayed.
   • In the appropriate fields, enter a name (for example, VMware View Composer) and a brief description of the View Composer database. I use the same here.
   • In the Server field, enter the SQL Server database information in the form. I think you know which one to use! Click Next.
   • Ensure that the Connect to SQL Server to obtain default settings for the additional configuration options check box is selected. Click Next.
   • Add the SQL or AD User you created in point 1 above with password and Click Next.
   • Select the Change the default database to check box and select the name of the database you have created for View Composer from the associated list (in this example, ViewComposer). Click Next.
   • Click Finish > OK.
   • Test the connection with the database.
3. SQL database installed, ODBC data source installed. Let's install VMware View Composer.
   
   • Run the View Composer service installation program, where xxx is the build number of the executable file:
     VMware-viewcomposer-xxx.exe
   • 
   • Click Next 
   • 
   • Mark 'I accept the the therms in the license agreement' and click Next
   • 
   • You can change your installation location or leave it this way. Click Next
   • 
   • Use your ODBC data source configuration or make one if you did not do it like tolld in point 2 above. Click Next
   • 
   • Enter a port value or use the default and select the Create default SSL certificate radio button. Click Next.
   • 
   • Last check before installing VMware View Composer. Click Install
   • 
4. VirtualCenter User Permissions:
   • If the View Manager user is not an administrator in VirtualCenter you must assign a role to the VirtualCenter user entry in order to confer upon it the appropriate level of authority over the objects it creates and manages. NOTE Administrative users in VirtualCenter have all the requisite permissions enabled by default. You can use a service account here or an Administrator account. 
   • I use a Service account names svc.vCenter and make it local administrator on the Virtual Center Server.
   • THE FOLLOWING I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE
   • Add this Service account svc.vCenter to a group as example VI Administrator
   • Add this group to the VMware View Admin console
   • 
   • Make sure this VI Administrator has enough right in Virtual Center. See point 4.
5. Creating a Parent VM Snapshot.
   
   • Once View Agent has been installed on the base image you must use VirtualCenter to take a snapshot of the system in its powered down state. This snapshot will be used as the baseline configuration for the first set of linked clone desktops anchored to the parent VM.
   • NOTE The Parent VM must be completely shut down before you take the snapshot.
6. Deploying Linked Clone Desktops from View Manager.
   
   • CAUTION Do not modify the Parent VM (for example, convert it to a template) from within VirtualCenter before or during the deployment process—the View Composer service has a requirement that the Parent VM remains in a static and unaltered state during this operation.
   • NOTE The Parent VM must be completely shut down before you take the snapshot.
   • 
   • And it's done
   • 
   • 

To add or edit a VirtualCenter server entry in View Manager

1. Adding or editing VirtualCenter in VMware View.
   
   • From within the View Administrator, click Configuration to display the configuration view.
   • Under VirtualCenter Servers, if you have not already done so click Add or Edit and complete the details for the VirtualCenter to use with View Manager
   • 
   • If the required VirtualCenter server is already present, select the entry and click Edit. The VirtualCenter settings list is displayed.
   • 
   • Click the Check for View Composer Compatibility button to check that the View Composer service is running on the VirtualCenter server. If the check is successful, the View Composer Settings property group is displayed.
   • Ensure that the Enable View Composer check box is selected and that the port number corresponds to the port specified during the installation of the View Composer service on the VirtualCenter host.
   • Click Add to enter the required details in the Add QuickPrep Domain dialog box ( not shown in the above pictur
   • Click OK

           Now you are ready to make your first Linked Clone View Desktop !!!

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