Lync 2013 VDI Plugin Does Not Work in Windows 8 with Horizon View 5.4

[j_rodstein]

Hi All,

I am starting this new thread as it appears getting the Lync 2013 VDI Plugin to work in Windows 8 is going to be different than Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 2008 R2.   The original thread regarding Window 7 and Lync is posted here:  http://communities.vmware.com/thread/446960?tstart=0

Below is what I have tested and what I can determine:

PC/Laptop/Endpoint Client #1 (10Zig Thin Client):

Windows 7 SP1 32-bit

No Office Installed

Lync VDI Plugin 32-bit

Horizon View 5.4

PC/Laptop/Endpoint Client #2 (Desktop PC):

Windows 8 64-bit

Office 2013 32-bit installed, but Lync 2013 Desktop client is NOT installed

Lync VDI Plugin 32-bit

Horizon View 5.4

VM:

Windows 8 64-bit

Office 2013 32-bit installed

Horizon Feature Pack 2 Installed

Audio redirection works, but the web camera does not seem to be picked up.  Its a Microsoft LifeCam HD and is supported by Lync 2010/2013.  I checked the VDI logs in the VM and it appears the Lync VDI plugin syncs successfully.  However, I never get prompted to re-enter my Lync credentials like I do in Windows 7/2008 R2.  Also, I don't see the "two PCs with the Green Checkmark" in the bottom right-hand corner of Lync.  That should be present after a successful Lync VDI sync.  In fact, there are no icons in the bottom right-hand corner at all.

After some further reading, I decided to download and install Skype thru the Windows Store.  It also did not recognize my camera.  I believe the Feature Pack may be the issue here, but I am not sure how to dig any further.  TonyHuynh201110141, any ideas?

[TonyHuynh201110]

The Lync 2013 solution with VMware View is only supported with Windows 7 SP1 (as the VM OS).  We haven't added support for Windows 8 (as VM OS) with the Lync 2013 client pairing with the Lync VDI plugin yet.  This is on our roadmap, but I can't provide an ETA at this time.

Thanks

[TonyHuynh201110]

For the Skype question, the Real-Time Audio-Video, can you provide further details on the setup.  You mention that the webcam is not recognized.  Is this on the client machine?

[j_rodstein]

I must have misread the release notes with the Horizon View 5.4 release.  I thought it stated Lync 2013 VDI worked in Windows 8 with the addition of the Feature Pack 2.

I read the following at this Lync:  VMware Horizon View Clients 2.1 Update | VMware End-User Computing Blog - VMware Blogs

Microsoft Lync for Microsoft Windows 8

We announced support for Microsoft Lync calls from a Horizon View desktop in March. At that time, the only configuration available was a Windows 7 client system with a Windows 7 Horizon View desktop. With the Horizon View Client for Windows version 5.4, we now also support Windows 8 client systems.

Customers can leverage the power of the Microsoft Lync to make rich voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) and videoconferencing calls without negatively affecting the datacenter server or network.

To use Microsoft Lync from your Windows 8 client, you must first install the Microsoft plug-in from here. Please note that this update does not support 64 bit systems, Windows 8 View desktops or the Horizon View Client for Windows Store.

So, Lync is NOT supported in a Windows 8 VM?

Also, the setup at the initial post is accurate, except Skype is installed on the Windows 8 VM.  The Windows 8 VM does not see my camera unless I use USB redirection.  Even then, it never displays video.

[TonyHuynh201110]

No, we are still working to enable support with the Lync 2013 client VDI integration in Windows 8 VMs.  This will be supported in a future release, but I don't have an ETA yet.

[renz]

Hello j_rodstein,

I'm working on View 5.2 right now and the lync vdi works like a charm on all our vdi environment until I recompose one of our pool that is using a win7 64b-bit OS and a 32-bit MSOffice. I was running into circles until I decided to remove the 32-bit Office installation and install it with a 64-bit version to match the OS bit level and it works again. I don't know if this will help in your case but you might wan't to give it a try.

Thanks,

Lorenze

[TonyHuynh201110]

In Horizon 6, we are adding Lync VDI integration on Windows 8 and 8.1 desktops (VM OS).

[j_rodstein]

Hi Tony,

I have been testing View 6 this weekend.  The upgrade went off without a hitch and it is great to use PCoIP instead of RDP when connecting to RDS services.  However, I have noticed since the upgrade Lync Audio/Video redirection does not appear to be working.  It was before the upgrade.  The two computers in the bottom right hand corner of Lync 2013 continue to "pulse"  The only changes made were updating View 6 Connection/Security servers, and upgrading the Agent on the Windows VDI.  I have verified the redirection works fine if I use RDP on Windows 2008 R2/2012 (I was always able to get that to work regardless of support).  However, I cannot get it to work with PCoIP or RDP on Windows 7/8/8.1.  Thoughts?  Reinstall agent on the virtual machines?

[j_rodstein]

As a follow-up, reinstalling the View Agents in Windows 7/8 did not make any difference.

[j_rodstein · Accepted solution]

I had a co-worker test from his Mac with the new View 3 client and Lync VDI works as expected.  I tried again from my end and noticed it is taking exactly 5 minutes for me to make a successful pairing.  I am removing the Lync VDI plugin and reinstalling to see if that makes any difference.  At least I know two important data points:

1.  Lync VDI still works

2.  The issue is contained to my endpoint device only.

I will update the thread once I know more.