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Overview of Ubuntu Virtual Desktop Preparation

HyWorks supports the delivery of Ubuntu as virtual desktops (both multi-session and single-session). This section of the document will provide detailed information on various aspects of preparing Ubuntu-based virtual desktops.

Prerequisites

Internet Requirement

An Internet connection is required to install dependency packages on supported Ubuntu desktops.

Hardware pre-requisites

For deploying the Ubuntu-based desktops, you will need desktops with a minimum of the hardware specifications:

  1. CPU: 4 vCPU

  2. RAM: 4 GB

  3. HDD: 50 GB

Note

This is the minimum requirement to install and run a single desktop. For production deployment, expected concurrency and load should guide server sizing.

Supporting OS

Note

  • v4.0 RHEL Releases are not yet done. It is targeted to be released soon and made available as GA.

  • Ubuntu 24.04.0/1, 22.04.0/1 (Legacy Kernel)

  • XUbuntu 24.04.0/1, 22.04.0/1 (Legacy Kernel)

Note

  • GNOME serves as the default desktop environment in Ubuntu.

Important

  • HyWorks only supports the listed Linux distributions and OS versions; installing or using any other version or flavor may cause issues.

  • HyWorks only supports Operating System versions with a point 0 or 1 that use a non-HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel; versions with the HWE kernel are not supported.

  • Ensure you install only version 0 or 1; installing any other version may cause package or tool installation issues, which could lead to app or desktop delivery failures.

Hypervisor Guest Tools for Linux Desktops

For Linux-based virtual desktops, installing hypervisor-specific guest tools is essential for stable VM operation and proper host integration. These tools act as a bridge between the guest OS and the hypervisor, enabling:

  • Accurate IP address visibility in the hypervisor console

  • Improved performance and device handling

  • Support for graceful shutdown/restart operations from the host with better time synchronization and system communication

  • Enhanced user experience, especially in enterprise VDI setups

For all hypervisors, we recommend installing these hypervisor tools before installing the Linux Assistive Package to avoid conflicts and ensure proper initialization.

Linux VDI on VMware

Install Open VM tools to support VMware's functioning. For instructions on installing Open-VM Tools on Ubuntu, refer to the KB article titled Install VMware Tools.

Microsoft Hyper-V

In Hyper-V environments, Linux VMs rely on built-in integration components provided via kernel packages such as Linux-tools and Linux-cloud-tools.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install --reinstall linux-tools-$(uname -r) linux-cloud-tools-$(uname -r) -y

Note

A Reboot is required after installing the packages.

Summary:

  • Provides Hyper-V integration services (LIS – Linux Integration Services).

  • Enables the hypervisor to fetch the VM IP address and health status.

  • Improves network, storage, and CPU performance through optimized drivers.

  • Supports host-triggered operations, such as shutdown and heartbeat monitoring.

Note

If any issues are encountered while installing the packages, please consult online resources for solutions.

Proxmox VE

Proxmox uses QEMU/KVM virtualization, and the QEMU Guest Agent is required for proper VM interaction. To install it follow the below Commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install qemu-guest-agent -y

sudo systemctl enable qemu-guest-agent

sudo systemctl start qemu-guest-agent

After installation, check the service status: sudo systemctl status qemu-guest-agent

Additional Steps

  1. Navigate to Proxmox Web UI.

  2. Select the Virtual Machine.

    1. Go to the Options.

    2. Verify that the QEMU Guest Agent is enabled.

      1. (If not enabled, enable it and reboot the VM.)
      2. Go to Summary.

    3. Check that the VM IP address is visible

Summary

  • Allows Proxmox to retrieve the VM IP address and runtime details.

  • Enables graceful shutdown/restart from the Proxmox UI.

  • Improves VM monitoring, backup consistency, and automation.

  • Essential for proper integration in managed virtual environments.

References:

Note

Proxmox HCI is not supported.

HPE Hypervisor

HPE hypervisor environments (commonly based on VMware ESXi) require the QEMU Guest Agent for proper VM interaction. To install it, follow the commands below:

sudo apt install -y qemu-guest-agent

sudo systemctl enable qemu-guest-agent

sudo systemctl start qemu-guest-agent

Cluster Refresh and Agent Verification:

  1. Navigate to Cluster.

  2. Click on the Cluster Name.

  3. Go to Actions > Soft Refresh.

  4. After the refresh is completed, go to the Summary page.

  5. Verify that the Agent Version is visible.

Summary

  • Enables full guest–host communication in VMware-based environments.

  • Provides accurate IP reporting, time sync, and VM state management.

  • Improves display performance, network throughput, and disk I/O.

  • Supports advanced features like guest customization and automation.

References

Important

Across all hypervisors, guest tools are critical for visibility, control, and performance of Linux desktops. Hence, installing these tools should be treated as a mandatory prerequisite step.

Ubuntu Linux Installation Process Understanding

Unlike Windows, which is a ready-to-use system over the remote, Linux desktops require installing and configuring multiple dependency applications and packages. For ease of installation and configuration, Accops releases various software packages to prepare Ubuntu-based virtual desktops and apps for delivery to end users remotely. A reboot is required after installing the packages.

One or more packages are released after considering the complexity of dependencies, OS distribution, and OS versions.

Detailed information on installation and configuration will be provided in the next sections.