Omnissa Horizon media optimization overview
The audio and video optimization is achieved via integration of the Omnissa Horizon WebRTC Redirection SDK.
Omnissa Horizon compatibility
Minimum Omnissa Horizon component version to use Omnissa Horizon optimization with Rainbow are:
- Horizon 8: 2206 (8.6) or later
- Horizon Client (Windows): 2206 or later
- Operating Systems:
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Linux and macOS are not supported
- The virtual machine for each remote desktop meets the following requirements:
- Equipped with 2 vCPUs, at minimum
Configuration
- Run Rainbow Desktop application v2.156.2 or higher, with the Omnissa Horizon WebRTC Redirection SDK integrated by default.
- The Rainbow Desktop application automatically detects the Horizon environment and the capability to activate optimization, no configuration to do on Rainbow side.
- The capability is driven by the appropriate configuration by the IS/IT on the Horizon environment, as detailed below.
Horizon configuration
Omnissa is currently updating its documentation and is expected to publish a new setup guide for Administrators for deploy and monitor activation of the Horizon WebRTC Redirection SDK.
Some information are however given below for guidance, awaiting the official pointer to Omnissa documentation.
Note that since Horizon 2412 and following the rebranding to Omnissa, file and registry path names have changed by using “Omnissa” instead of “VMWARE”.
Horizon agent setup
The Horizon WebRTC Redirection feature is installed by default with Horizon Agent as part of the core feature set.
However, the feature is installed in deactivated state. You must manually activate or enable the feature using the Group Policy Management Editor (GPO editor).
Refer to your Omnissa documentation to ensure the latest Horizon GPO bundle is downloaded, using the Horizon-Extras-Bundle zip file, and set up the GPO policy to include Horizon ADMX template files.
Using the GPO Editor, locate the “WebRTC Redirection Features” template in the “HTML5 Features” directory (prefixed with “Omnissa” or “VMWARE” depending on the Horizon version).
Set the “Enable Media Optimization for general Electron Apps” policy to the state of Enabled.
To verify that WebRTC Redirection GPO policy is enabled on the agent machine:
- On the agent machine, navigate to
- \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Omnissa\Horizon\WebRTCRedir (from 2412)
- \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\VMware, Inc.\Vmware WebRTCRedir (prior 2412)
- Verify that the electronAppEnabled registry key is present in that folder
Horizon client installation
The Horizon WebRTC Redirection option is installed and enabled in Horizon Client for Windows by default.
The user can turn off this option from the Horizon Client settings as shown in the following screenshot.
Configuration check
Status check
- In the Rainbow Desktop app you can see if the Omnissa Redirection is used.
Known restrictions
- Vocal message in instant messages are not yet working
- Push-to-talk in chat: Disabled — the button will not appear.
- Virtual backgrounds: Not supported — no option to enable or change.
- Screen sharing: Optimized for a single screen — multi-screen setups may not work reliably (you’re welcome to test them).
- Application-level sharing: Not supported.
- Webinars: Not available.
- Pop-out: The pop-out button is not available — the auto pop-out setting will be ignored.
- Tooltips: May appear behind video elements.
Troubleshooting
A few reminders about log recovery :
- The easiest way for the end user to recovery the Rainbow client logs is to use the Report a problem feature.
- For Rainbow client logs consult the dedicated article.
- In addition to Rainbow client logs, for web client the Browser log can be very helpful.
- For WebRTC gateway logs (mpcollect --all) and SIP traces (mpndump on) consult the dedicated article.
Report a malfunction/bug :
If the issue is reproduced provide use a step by step description to reproduced the problem. Please feel free to add screenshots or videos to help us understand the problem.
In case of issues about calls do not forget to give us all details about the users configuration:
- PBX type/version
- Device (Deskphone, REX, Anydevice)
- WebRTC gateway version
- Routing setting (Computer mode/Office Phone)
- Exact date and time of the call.
All information about the caller and called party
- email of the Rainbow account
- caller number / called number
- destination type, internal/external, mobile/ land line
In addition to this information please provide all involved Rainbow client logs and the WebRTC gateway logs in case of VoIP calls (Computer mode).