At Amazon Web Services (AWS) re:Invent 2024, we are thrilled to strengthen the Omnissa partnership with the Amazon End User Experience team by introducing exciting updates to our joint solutions. We’re unveiling enhanced features for Omnissa Horizon^® 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core in our upcoming 2412 release, alongside the limited availability of Horizon Cloud with Amazon WorkSpaces Core, offering cutting-edge capabilities to simplify and optimize virtual desktop environments. Additionally, for U.S. federal and government agencies using Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core, we are proud to announce FIPS 140-2 certification and DoD IL6 support to deliver the highest levels of security and compliance for mission-critical workloads. 

Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core support updates 

In the latest release of Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core, we have added powerful features to enhance flexibility, cost efficiency, and ease of management for Horizon 8 administrators.  

1. Windows Server Bundle with BYOP option 

With the latest release, customers can now use the Amazon WorkSpaces Windows Server 2019 or 2022 Public BYOP (Bring Your Own Protocol) Bundle with Horizon 8. This bundle allows administrators to create custom server OS images for single-session desktops or manual farms without the need to import a Windows 10 or 11 operating system. This BYOP bundle is a time-saver for administrators who don’t require Windows 10 or 11, and it streamlines the deployment process for environments where a server-based operating system is sufficient. 

2. Idle timeout for dedicated power-optimized machines 

Admins can now use the Idle Timeout Capability for dedicated power-optimized pools to cut down on unnecessary costs. Now administrators can set an idle timeout from their Horizon 8 console, automatically suspending any idle machine in a dedicated power-optimized pool when it’s not in use. Any machine that is suspended due to idle timeout will automatically resume when the entitled user reconnects. This feature helps reduce overall costs by minimizing resource consumption during periods of inactivity. 

3. Bundle updates for power-optimized machines 

Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core now allows administrators to update their Amazon bundle for power-optimized pools directly from the Horizon 8 console. This update includes all aspects of the bundle, such as the desktop image, storage, and hardware configuration. Once updated, any new workspace created in the pool will be provisioned using the latest bundle. 

For always-on machines, bundle updates must still be managed through the AWS console instead of the Horizon console. For these machines, the bundle image is now presented to the admin on the pool summary page in the Horizon console for better Day 2 management, such as updates, versioning, and more.

4. Hybrid environment delivery for capacity bursting requirements 

One of the most exciting updates for organizations using hybrid environments is the ability to use Horizon 8 pods outside of Amazon EC2. Horizon 8 pods residing outside of Amazon can now be configured to use Amazon WorkSpaces Core for desktop compute. 

This feature helps admins with hybrid deployments for their desktops, thus helping with business continuity and disaster recovery use cases. 

5. Manual farm support for enhanced deployment options 

Finally, Horizon 8 with WorkSpaces Core now supports manual farms, multi-session hosts, and published desktops and applications. This update is available for Windows Server 2019 and 2022 and allows for a wider range of deployment options, giving administrators the flexibility to create and manage environments based on their specific requirements. 

This feature also supports Microsoft Server Operating System options that are customer-provided or AWS Public BYOP Server bundles, making it easier for organizations to implement solutions that align with their unique operational needs.

FIPS 140-2 compliance and DoD IL6 support  

In a significant enhancement for the U.S. federal and state organizations with stringent security requirements, Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core now supports FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-2 compliant algorithms. This compliance standard, crucial for federal and DoD agencies that handle sensitive information, will extend this solution for the Impact Level 6 (IL6) classified environments.  

To set up Horizon 8 in FIPS mode, administrators must first enable FIPS mode within the Windows environment. After that, all Horizon 8 components need to be installed in FIPS mode to help ensure compliance. Administrators can refer to the installation documentation for detailed instructions on configuration and setup. 

Horizon Cloud support for Amazon WorkSpaces Core 

We’re excited to announce limited availability support for Amazon WorkSpaces Core with Horizon Cloud, featuring a thin-edge pod-less deployment option and automated deployment capabilities that reduce infrastructure costs. This cloud-native solution is designed to make virtual desktop environments more accessible, scalable, and adaptable to customer needs. 

Here’s a snapshot of the key features: 

1. Flexible Desktop Pools for flexibility, higher automation, and savings 

• Horizon Cloud with Amazon WorkSpaces Core will allow customers to efficiently provision and manage Windows 10/11 virtual desktops, powered by the Blast Extreme streaming protocol, for persistent, non-persistent, and RDSH desktops. 
• Additionally, for computationally intensive workloads, GPU-powered desktops will be available, offering seamless performance for tasks like high-resolution graphics rendering and accelerated computing. 

2. Advanced power management for cost and energy optimization 

Reduce costs and energy consumption with two customizable power management modes: 

• Automated power management: Automate schedules and timeouts to align resource usage with demand, turning machines on or off based on user activity. 
• Always on: Ideal for scenarios requiring continuous availability, offering predictable costs with a fixed monthly rate. 

This limited availability offering will empower businesses to optimize virtual desktop performance while maintaining cost efficiency and operational flexibility.  

For customers who want to deploy and manage Horizon desktops with Amazon WorkSpaces Core in an on-premises or hybrid environment, Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core is the applicable solution. For customers who want a Desktop-as-a-Service solution, Horizon Cloud with Amazon WorkSpaces Core is targeted to be generally available in the first half of 2025.  

Conclusion 

These enhancements to Horizon 8 with Amazon WorkSpaces Core exemplify our commitment to streamlining desktop deployment, improving cost efficiency through advanced power management, and ensuring compliance with FIPS 140-2 standards. Coupled with the support for Horizon Cloud with Amazon WorkSpaces Core, administrators will have access to an unparalleled range of tools to create adaptable, secure, and cost-effective virtual desktop environments. To learn more, or to participate in the limited availability release of Horizon Cloud with Amazon WorkSpaces Core, contact your Omnissa sales rep today.