Creating Your First vGPU Virtual Desktop

This section describes how to:

  • Creating a Virtual Machine in vSphere

  • Installing Microsoft Windows

  • Installing VMware Tools

  • Customize Windows settings

  • Install Horizon Agent and Horizon Direct Connection on the VM

  • Adjust additional VM settings and enable VM console access

  • Enable the NVIDIA vGPU and finalize the installation

Creating a Virtual Machine in vSphere

These instructions assist in creating a VM from scratch to support NVIDIA vGPUs. This VM may be used as a gold master image to create additional VMs. Use the following procedure to configure a vGPU VM for a single guest desktop:

  1. Open the vSphere Web Client:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu1.png

  2. From the vSphere Web Client’s Home page, select Hosts and Clusters. Right-click the host or cluster location the VM will be created. Select New Virtual Machine.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu2.png

  3. From the Select a creation type tab, select Create a new virtual machine and click Next.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu3.png

  4. Enter a name for the virtual machine. Choose the location to host the virtual machine using the collapsible tree under the label. Select a location for the virtual machine, then click Next to continue.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu4.png

  5. Select a compute resource to run the VM.

    The compute resource you select must include an installed, correctly configured NVIDIA adapter that supports vGPU operations. Click Next to continue. vSphere prompts you to select a storage resource:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu5.png

  6. Select the datastore to host the virtual machine, then click Next to continue. vSphere prompts you to select compatibility for the vGPU:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu6.png

  7. Select the datastore to host the virtual machine, then click Next to continue. vSphere prompts you to select compatibility for the vGPU:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu7.png

  8. Select the appropriate Windows OS from the Guest OS Family and Guest OS Version dropdowns, then click Next to continue. vSphere prompts you to customize the vGPU’s virtual hardware:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu8.png

  9. Set the virtual hardware based on your desktop workload requirements, then click Next to continue. vSphere displays a summary of the settings you have selected

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu9.png

  10. Review the new virtual machine’s configuration. If any of the settings are wrong, click Back and correct them. When all of the settings are right, click Finish.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu10.png

Installing Microsoft Windows

Important

Windows 11 is used to capture content for this section in the guide. Text, images, and screen layout may differ from version to version. Refer here for the Windows 11 requirements.

To install Microsoft Windows on the virtual machine follow the steps below.

  1. Select the virtual machine, right-click it, and select Edit Settings.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu11.png

  2. vSphere displays the Edit Settings window.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu12.png

  3. Click the dropdown list opposite the label “CD/DVD drive 1” and select an appropriate data source for CD/DVD media. (This example uses a Datastore ISO file.) Check the Connect checkbox to the right of the CD/DVD drive 1 dropdown to connect the ISO file to the VM’s virtual CD/DVD drive.

  4. Click the caret next to CD/DVD drive 1. vSphere expands the tree entry to reveal the details of the virtual device. Check the Connect At Power On checkbox to connect the ISO file to the VM’s virtual CD/DVD drive at boot time, then click the Browse button to the right of “CD/DVD Media.”

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu13.png

  5. Check the Connect At Power On checkbox to connect the ISO file to the VM’s virtual CD/DVD drive at boot time, then click the Browse button to the right of “CD/DVD Media.” vSphere opens a Select File window.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu14.png

  6. Navigate to and select the OS ISO file for installation. Click OK to select the file.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu15.png

  7. Right-click the virtual machine, select Power>Power On to start the virtual machine, boot the ISO file, and install the operating system.

    The virtual machine boots from the selected ISO file.

    Note

    Suppose you create a new virtual machine and use vSphere Web Client’s VM console functionality. In that case, the mouse may not be usable in the virtual machine until after both the operating system and the VMware tools have been installed.

  8. Perform a Custom (fresh) installation of Microsoft Windows 11 on the virtual machine.

    During installation, Windows reboots the VM several times.

  9. When Windows is installed, disconnect the ISO from the VM.

  10. Go through the initial Windows setup wizard to name the computer, create a local account, set the time zone, choose the update installation policy, etc.

Windows 11 is now installed on the virtual machine.

Installing VMware Tools

After installing the Microsoft Windows OS on the virtual machine, you must install VMware Tools. VMware Tools is a suite of utilities that enhances the performance of virtual machines and their guest operating systems and improves the management of virtual machines. VMware tools provide many benefits for the VM and the Guest OS; Benefits include improved network adapter, Smoother mouse experience, copying and pasting, drag and drop files, Sound quality, and the ability to take quiesced snapshots of the Guest OS. Refer to the VMware Tools Services page for more information.

The VMware Tools Administration document describes the necessary steps for Manually Installing VMware Tools on Windows.

After going through the manual installation process in the provided link, VMware Tools is installed on the virtual machine.

Adding the Golden Master to the Domain

If you join a VM to a Windows Active Directory domain, you can manage it as you would any physical desktop in the domain.

Customize Windows on the virtual machine as follows:

  • Join the domain

  • Add appropriate Domain groups to Local Administrators

Adding a VM to the domain:

  1. In the Windows Desktop. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows-Logo Key + R. Type “sysdm.cpl” and press enter in the command box. The System Properties window opens.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu16.png

  2. Enter a Computer description in the System Properties window (Optional). Select the change button.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu17.png

  3. The Computer Name/Domain Changes window opens. Enter an appropriate name in the Computer name field. Select Domain and enter a proper name in the Domain name field.

    Note

    The names in the illustration are examples and are not necessarily appropriate for your VM.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu18.png

  4. Enter your domain administrator credentials in the Windows Security window, click OK. If the credentials are valid, Windows sets the domain name as you have specified it and opens a “Welcome…” window.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu19.png

  5. Click OK to close the Domain Welcome window.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu20.png

  6. Windows displays a “You must restart your computer…” window.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu21.png

  7. Click OK. The VM reboots when you close the System Properties window.

Enabling the NVIDIA vGPU

The following steps will enable vGPU support for Windows OS virtual machines and Linux OS virtual machines. The virtual machine settings must be edited.

  1. Power down the VM.

  2. Click on your VM in the inventory window: Right-click your VM and select Edit Settings.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu34.png

  3. Select Add New Device, then Select PCI device from the dropdown menu.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu35.png

  4. The new PCI device shows that an NVIDIA vGPU device has been added.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu36.png

  5. Expand the New PCI device, expand the NVIDIA GRID VGPU Profile dropdown and select your vGPU Profile.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu37.png

  6. Click OK to complete the configuration.

Installing the NVIDIA vGPU Driver: Microsoft Windows

After you create a Microsoft Windows virtual machine on the hypervisor and boot the VM, you must install the NVIDIA vGPU software display driver to enable GPU operation fully.

To install the NVIDIA driver in Microsoft Windows:

  1. Start the virtual machine, then connect to it using either VMware Remote Console through the vSphere Web Client or VMware Horizon Client (via Direct Connection).

Important

The first time you boot the VM after enabling an NVIDIA vGPU, it displays a dialog warning requesting that you restart the computer to apply changes. Click Restart Later to continue booting the VM.

Do not reboot the VM if older NVIDIA drivers are installed. Doing so would produce a blue screen.

  1. Log in to Windows and open Device Manager.

    The window’s “Display adapters” section shows a “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter” with an exclamation point on its icon to indicate a driver problem. This is normal.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu38.png

  1. Locate the NVIDIA driver and double-click its Setup icon to launch it.

    NVIDIA recommends that the installer share volume that the VM can mount for quick access.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu39.png

  2. Click OK to accept the default driver directory.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu40.png

  3. Read through the NVIDIA software license agreement. Click OK to Agree and Continue.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu41.png

  4. Click the Custom (Advanced) radio button, then click Next. The installer displays the Custom installation options screen:

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu42.png

  5. Check the Perform a clean installation checkbox, then click Next. The installer begins installing the driver.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu43.png

  6. Click Restart Now to restart the VM and complete the install.

    ../_images/vgpu-dg-first-vgpu44.png

Note

After restarting the VM, the mouse cursor may not track properly using VNC or the VMware Remote Console (VMRC). In that case, use the View Agent Direct-Connect (VADC) to connect directly to the VM.

Installing Teradici Cloud Access Software

You need to install the correct version of Cloud Access Software Plus (CAS+) for your virtual machine.

Use the following procedure to install CAS+ on the virtual machine:

  1. Navigate to: https://docs.teradici.com/find/product/cloud-access-software

  2. Select and download the Graphics Agent for Windows - PCoIP Host Option.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-01.png

    Note

    As of September 2020, the latest version is: pcoip-agent-graphics_20.07.0.exe. Latest version is always defaulted as the first option

  3. Launch the installer.

    • The Installer Language window displays.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-02.png

  4. Select a language, then OK to proceed.

    • The Welcome Setup Window displays.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-03.png

  5. Click Next to Proceed.

  6. PCoIP Agent Setup notification. Because the NVIDIA drivers has not been installed on the VM the installation wizard will message that it does not detect a discrete GPU. This is by design because when NVIDIA drivers are installed, the vSphere Web console or VMWARE Remote Console will not work. On next VM reboot the PCoIP Agent will detect and encode over NVIDIA NEVNC

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-04.png

  7. Click No and Proceed with Installation.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-05.png

  8. Accept the License Agreement values by clicking, I Agree.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-06.png

  9. Chose installation locations then, Click Install to proceed

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-07.png

  10. CAS+ installs on the virtual machine and the Installer Completed window displays when the installation process concludes.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-08.png

  11. Select the I want to manually reboot later.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-09.png

  12. Click Finish to exit the installer.

    Teradici should provide you a registration code either for purchase or evaluation purposes. The registration code is tied to a number of concurrent licensing seats. Each running physical or virtual client will count against a pool of licenses tied this registration code. Under normal procedures, an instance can be snapshotted or created as a golden image with this registration on the image. As long as each instance can report to the licensing service via the internet. Each client will pull a license from the pool of available seats. If your organization operates as a “dark site” , a on premise licensing server maybe applicable.

    Note

    If you have not obtained a trail or production license, use the following URL to obtain them: https://connect.teradici.com/contact-us

  13. Enter in a Registration Code. Click Next to proceed.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-10.png

  14. If your organization utilizes a proxy server to route traffic to the Internet, select checkbox option and enter the IP address of the proxy server. Click Next to proceed.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-05_image-11.png

  15. Click Finish to proceed.

    Note

    Teradici CAS+ is now installed on the virtual machine but still requires the installation of NVIDIA licenses for the CAS agent to function effectively.

Set PCoIP GPO for GPU offloading

  1. In windows run windows, type ‘gpedit’ until windows auto-completes the “edit group policy” option is available.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-01.png

  2. Select the Edit group policy, option to continue.

    • Under Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration, select the ‘Administrative Template’ folder.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-02.png

  3. Select the Computer Configuration > Administrative Template, option to continue.

    • Within the Administrative Template, Select the PCoIP Session Variables folder.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-03.png

  4. Select the Administrative Template > PCoIP Session Variables, option to continue.

    • Within the PCOIP Session Variables folder, Select the Overridable Administrative Default.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-04.png

  5. Select the Administrative Template > PCoIP Session Variables, option to continue.

    • Scroll through the setting policy setting on the right-hand side until you get to the Enable PCoIP Ultra GPU Optimization settings.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-05.png

  6. Click on Enable PCoIP Ultra GPU optimization, option to continue.

  7. Enable the “Enable PCoIP GPU optimization” option.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-06_image-06.png

  8. Select the Enabled button option to continue.

  9. Close the Group Policy Editor when finished.

Licensing NVIDIA vGPU Software (Update 13.1)

To use an NVIDIA vGPU software licensed product, each client system to which a physical or virtual GPU is assigned must obtain a license from the NVIDIA License System. A client system can be a VM configured with an NVIDIA vGPU, a VM configured for GPU pass through or a physical host to which a physical GPU is assigned in a bare-metal deployment.

Client Configuration Token

The client config token is a file that must be copied to the licensed client’s default location when generated. The client system requests a license from the service instance using the Client Configuration token. Information within the client configuration token identifies the service instance, license server, and fulfillment conditions used to serve a license in response to the licensed client request.

Finalizing the Installation

The final phase of the NVIDIA vGPU configuration is to connect to the virtual machine, verify settings, and then experience the power of fully virtualized GPU support in your favorite testing, benchmarking, multimedia, or 2D/3D/animation applications.

Use the following procedure to finalize the installation.

  1. Record in PCoIP Host address, the IP address assigned to the virtual machine by selecting the virtual machine, and then selecting the Summary tab.

  2. Select the virtual machine in the vSphere Web Client and select the Summary tab.

  3. Find the IP address assigned to the virtual machine by selecting the VM in the Navigator window and clicking on the Summary tab. The VM’s IP Address will appear in the window.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-01.png

    Note

    The IP address information will only be displayed if the virtual machine has VMware Tools running and has successfully negotiated an IP address from a DHCP server or when using a static address.

  4. Download the PCoIP Client on the device that will be used to connect to the VM.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-02.png

  5. Select the Software Client for Windows option to continue.

  6. From within the Software Client for Windows pop out display, click on the Download option.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-03.png

  7. Click Download option to continue.

  8. Scroll all the way to the end of the Teradici EULA and click Agree and download.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-04.png

  9. Click Agree and download option to continue.

  10. Save installer.

  11. Once download is complete, browse to the download directory and right click the installer and chose Run as administrator.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-05.png

    Note

    If you receive a message from User Access Control, click yes to the message

  12. Chose the appropriate language in the “Installer Language” dialogue box.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-06.png

  13. Click Next in the Welcome dialogue box.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-07.png

  14. Click I Agree to the software EULA.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-08.png

  15. Click Install to the Choose Install Location dialogue box.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-09.png

  16. Choose to Create a Desktop Shortcut in the “Completing the Teradici PCoIP Client Setup”. Click “Finish” to complete the install process.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-10.png

  17. From the desktop select the PCoIP Icon.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-11.png

  18. Enter the IP address of the VDI desktop to connect to in the Hostname field and click Continue. (You are connecting directly to a desktop.)

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-12.png

  19. Click the Connect Insecurely option for the verify your connection dialogue box. (3rd party certification and verification process can be set-up in the future)

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-13.png

  20. Enter a Username and Password and click Login to complete the connection process.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-14.png

  21. Log into the virtual machine.

  22. Verify PCoIP Ultra GPU optimization is enabled by verifying that there is a purple pixel in the bottom lest most corner of the screen.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-15.png

  23. Open Device Manager and confirm that the display adapter is now a vGPU display.

  24. Open Display adapters in Device Manager.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-16.png

  25. Right click the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-17.png

  26. Select System Information on the bottom left. Confirm the DirectX, graphics card, and driver versions and select Close when done.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-18.png

  27. If you plan to use this VM as your Gold Master Image, release the DHCP address before logging out and shutting down. Open a command prompt and enter ipconfig /release.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-19.png

  28. You will immediately lose connectivity to the VM. Use the vSphere Web Client to shut down the Guest OS.

    ../_images/deployment_vgpu_section-07_subsection-12_image-20.png

  29. A vGPU enabled virtual machine is now confirmed and verified to work with Teradici Cloud Access Manager Plus software.

Additional Virtual Machine Settings

Perform the following additional tasks on the virtual machine as required in preparation for configuring its vGPU:

Important

These instructions assume that the VM is for proof-of-concept only and that disabling the firewall poses only a minimal security breach. Always follow your established security procedures and best practices when setting up security for a production machine or for any environment that can be accessed from outside your network.