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Welcome to the definitive guide for mastering vdmadmin.exe, the powerful command-line utility that empowers Omnissa Horizon administrators to take full control of their virtual desktop and application environments. This blog post delivers a comprehensive resource to help you manage agents, desktops, clusters, and more with precision and efficiency. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, configuring security, or scaling your Horizon infrastructure to support up to 250,000 sessions, this guide has you covered. Dive in to unlock the potential of vdmadmin.exe and elevate your Horizon administration skills!

Why vdmadmin.exe is a Game-Changer for Horizon Admins

Omnissa Horizon’s vdmadmin.exe is your go-to tool for administering a robust virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Executed directly on a Horizon Connection Server, this utility enables you to manage agent settings, assign desktop ownership, configure clusters, and maintain LDAP integrity. With the ability to federate multiple pods and support large-scale deployments, vdmadmin.exe is essential for ensuring seamless operation and scalability in today’s enterprise environments. Let’s explore how to harness its full potential.

Getting Started: Prerequisites for vdmadmin.exe Success (No, You Can’t Skip These)

Before you begin wielding the power of vdmadmin.exe, ensure your setup is ready:

• Administrative Access: Secure admin credentials for the Horizon Connection Server.
• Command Execution: Run vdmadmin.exe from the command line on a Connection Server.
• Environment Readiness: Confirm desktops and machines are properly configured where required.
• Case Sensitivity: Pay attention to case when entering commands and parameters.
• Password Security: Use --password "*" to prompt for passwords securely, avoiding hardcoded values.

With these in place, you’re ready to explore the 56 commands that make vdmadmin.exe a cornerstone of Horizon management.

The Ultimate vdmadmin.exe Command Toolkit

Below, we’ve compiled an exhaustive list of all 56 vdmadmin.exe commands, complete with their purpose, syntax, practical examples, and detailed explanations. This toolkit is designed to help you navigate every aspect of Horizon administration with confidence.

1. List Agent Log Files

• Purpose: View agent log files for a specific desktop and machine.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -list [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -list -n
• Details: Displays log files for the agent on jo-desktop1 and mymachine. Use -n for non-unicode or -w for unicode output, and -xml for XML formatting.

2. Save Agent Log to Local File

• Purpose: Export a specific agent log file to your local system.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -getlogfile name -outfile path
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -getlogfile log-2009-01-02.txt -outfile c:\mycopiedlog.txt
• Details: Saves log-2009-01-02.txt from the agent to c:\mycopiedlog.txt for analysis.

3. Create and Save Agent DCT Bundle

• Purpose: Generate and save a Diagnostic and Collection Tool (DCT) bundle for troubleshooting.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -getDCT -outfile path
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -getDCT -outfile c:\myfile.zip
• Details: Produces a DCT bundle for jo-desktop1 and mymachine, stored as c:\myfile.zip.

4. Retrieve Agent Version

• Purpose: Check the version of the agent installed on a desktop.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop [-m machine] -getversion [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -getversion -n
• Details: Displays the agent version for jo-desktop1, with optional machine specification and -n or -w for output type, plus -xml for XML format.

5. Check Agent Status

• Purpose: Monitor the operational status of an agent.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -getstatus [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -getstatus -n
• Details: Reports the status of the agent on jo-desktop1 and mymachine, with customizable output options.

6. Get Agent Logging Level

• Purpose: View the current logging level of an agent.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop [-m machine] -getloglevel [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -getloglevel -n
• Details: Shows the logging level for jo-desktop1, with optional machine and output format options.

7. Set Agent Logging Level

• Purpose: Adjust the logging level for detailed diagnostics.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop [-m machine] -setloglevel level
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -setloglevel normal
• Details: Sets the logging level to normal (or other levels like verbose) for the agent.

8. Configure IP/DNS Override

• Purpose: Set a manual IP or DNS override for the agent.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -override -i addr
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -override -i host.domain.com
• Details: Overrides the agent’s reported IP/DNS with host.domain.com.

9. List IP/DNS Overrides

• Purpose: Review all IP/DNS overrides for a desktop.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop [-m machine] -override -list [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -override -list -n
• Details: Lists overrides for jo-desktop1, with optional machine and output format options.

10. Remove All IP/DNS Overrides

• Purpose: Clear all IP/DNS overrides for a desktop pool.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -override -removeall
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -override -removeall
• Details: Removes all overrides from the jo-desktop1 pool.

11. Remove Specific IP/DNS Override

• Purpose: Delete a specific IP/DNS override for a machine.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -override -r
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -override -r
• Details: Removes the override for mymachine in jo-desktop1.

12. Reset Agent Pairing Key

• Purpose: Reinitialize the agent pairing key for security.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -A -d desktop -m machine -resetkey
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -A -d jo-desktop1 -m mymachine -resetkey
• Details: Resets the pairing key for the agent on jo-desktop1 and mymachine.

13. Set Connection Server Cluster Name

• Purpose: Define or display the cluster name for connection servers.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -C -c cluster
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -C -c MyConnectionServerClusterName
• Details: Sets the cluster name to MyConnectionServerClusterName; omit -c to view the GUID.

14. Update Foreign Security Principal(s)

• Purpose: Refresh the FSP for a user or all users.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -F [-u user]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -F -u CorpDomain\Jo
• Details: Updates the FSP for CorpDomain\Jo; omit -u for all users.

15. List Health Monitors or Instances

• Purpose: Enumerate health monitors or specific instances.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -H [-monitorid monitor] -list [-n | -w] -xml
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -H -list -xml
• Details: Lists all monitors, with -monitorid to filter and -xml required.

16. Show Health for Monitor Instance

• Purpose: Detailed health status for a specific monitor instance.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -H -monitorid monitor -instanceid instance [-n | -w] -xml
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -H -monitorid amonitor -instanceid ainstance -xml -w
• Details: Displays health for amonitor instance ainstance, with output options.

17. List Available Reports and Views

• Purpose: Catalog available reports and views for analysis.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -list [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -list
• Details: Shows all report and view options, with customizable output.

18. Generate Reports

• Purpose: Create customized reports based on type and view.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -report type -view view [-startdate date] [-enddate date] [-n | -w] [-csv | -xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -report events -view user_events -csv
• Details: Generates a user_events report in CSV, with date filters and output options.

19. Disable Syslog Logging

• Purpose: Turn off syslog event logging.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -disable
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -disable
• Details: Disables syslog functionality.

20. Enable Local-Only Syslog

• Purpose: Activate syslog for local use only.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -localOnly
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -localOnly
• Details: Enables syslog restricted to the local server.

21. Enable Syslog with Path

• Purpose: Set up syslog with a destination path.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -path path
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -path path
• Details: Directs syslog logs to the specified path.

22. Enable Syslog with Authentication

• Purpose: Configure syslog with username and password.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -path path -user DOMAIN\user -password password
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -eventSyslog -enable -path path -user mydomain\myuser -password mypassword
• Details: Sets up syslog with authentication for mydomain\myuser.

23. Enable Timing Profiler

• Purpose: Activate timing profiler events for performance analysis.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -timingProfiler -enable [-s server]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -timingProfiler -enable -s server
• Details: Enables profiling for server; omit -s for local server.

24. Disable Timing Profiler

• Purpose: Deactivate timing profiler events.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -I -timingProfiler -disable [-s server]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -I -timingProfiler -disable -s server
• Details: Disables profiling for server; omit -s for local server.

25. Assign Machine Ownership

• Purpose: Designate a user as the owner of a machine.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop -m machine -u user
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop_name -m machine -u myuser
• Details: Assigns myuser as the owner of machine.

26. Clear Machine Ownership

• Purpose: Remove ownership from a machine.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop -m machine -r
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop_name -m machine -r
• Details: Removes ownership from machine.

27. Clear Ownership by User

• Purpose: Remove ownership for a user across machines.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop -u user -r
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -L -d desktop_name -u myuser -r
• Details: Clears ownership for myuser.

28. Display Machine Information

• Purpose: View detailed machine data.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -M -m machine [-n | -w] [-csv | -xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -M -m machine -n
• Details: Shows machine details with customizable output.

29. Display Machine Information by User

• Purpose: View machines assigned to a user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -M -d desktop -u user [-n | -w] [-csv | -xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -M -d desktop_name -u myuser -xml
• Details: Lists machines for myuser with output options.

30. Mark Machine for Space Reclamation

• Purpose: Flag a machine for storage optimization.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -M -d desktop -m machine -markForSpaceReclamation
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -M -d desktop_name -m machine -markForSpaceReclamation
• Details: Marks machine for reclamation.

31. Configure Broker Domain Settings

• Purpose: Manage domain inclusion, exclusion, or search settings.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains [-s server] {-include | -exclude | -search} {-add | -remove | -removeall} [-domain domain]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains -include -add -domain mydomain -s mybroker
• Details: Adds mydomain to the include list, with -exclude taking precedence.

32. View Active Broker Domain List

• Purpose: List currently active domains.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains -list -active [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains -list -active -n
• Details: Shows active domains with output options.

33. View Full Domain Configuration

• Purpose: Display complete domain settings.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains -list [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -N -domains -list -n
• Details: Lists all domain configurations with output options.

34. Identify Unentitled Machines

• Purpose: Detect machines without entitlements.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -O [-ld | -lu] [-n | -w] [-xml [-xsltpath path | -noxslt]]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -O -lu -n
• Details: Lists unentitled machines by user or desktop with customizable output.

35. Identify Unentitled Policies

• Purpose: Detect policies applied to unentitled machines.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -P [-ld | -lu] [-n | -w] [-xml [-xsltpath path | -noxslt]]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -P -ld -n
• Details: Lists unentitled policies with output options.

36. Enable/Disable Client Authentication

• Purpose: Control client authentication on a connection server.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q {-enable [-requirepassword] | -disable} -server name
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -enable -requirepassword -server name
• Details: Enables name with password requirement; use -disable to turn off.

37. Set Client Authentication Defaults

• Purpose: Define default settings for new client authentication users.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -setdefaults [-group <groupname> | -nogroup] [-ou dn] [-expirepassword | -noexpirepassword]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -setdefaults -ou "OU=myou,DC=mydomain,DC=com" -group clientgroup
• Details: Sets defaults with OU and group settings.

38. Retrieve Client Authentication Defaults

• Purpose: View current client authentication default settings.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -getdefaults [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -getdefaults
• Details: Displays defaults, with -xml for XML format.

39. Add Client Authentication User

• Purpose: Register a new client authentication user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -add -clientid clientid -domain domain [-ou dn] [-password mypassword | -genpassword] [-expirepassword | -noexpirepassword] [-group <groupname> | -nogroup] [-description text]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -add -clientid 11:22:33:44:55:66 -domain mydomain
• Details: Adds a user with clientid in mydomain, with optional parameters.

40. Update Client Authentication User

• Purpose: Modify an existing client authentication user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -update -domain domain -clientid clientid [-password mypassword | -genpassword] [-description text]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -update -clientid 11:22:33:44:55:66 -domain mydomain -password mypassword -description newdescription
• Details: Updates the user with new password and description.

41. Remove Client Authentication User

• Purpose: Delete a specific client authentication user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -remove -domain domain -clientid clientid [-force]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -remove -clientid Custom-clientid -domain mydomain
• Details: Removes the user, with -force for unconditional deletion.

42. Remove All Client Authentication Users

• Purpose: Delete all client authentication users.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -removeall [-force]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -removeall
• Details: Clears all users, with -force for unconditional action.

43. List Client Authentication Users

• Purpose: Display all client authentication users and settings.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -list [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -Q -clientauth -list -xml
• Details: Lists users and server settings, with -xml for XML format.

44. Remove Connection Server Entry

• Purpose: Delete a connection server from the configuration.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -S -s server -r
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -S -s vdmserver3 -r
• Details: Removes the vdmserver3 entry.

45. Remove Pod Endpoint Entry

• Purpose: Delete a pod endpoint from global LDAP.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -S -s server -domain domain -r
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -S -s vdmserver3 -domain domain.com -r
• Details: Removes the pod endpoint for vdmserver3 in domain.com.

46. Add Domain Authentication User

• Purpose: Register a domain authentication user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -add -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser -password mypassword
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -add -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser -password mypassword
• Details: Adds USERS\myuser under BROKER\admin.

47. Update Domain Authentication User

• Purpose: Modify a domain authentication user’s details.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -update -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser -password mypassword
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -update -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser -password mypassword
• Details: Updates USERS\myuser’s password.

48. Remove Domain Authentication User

• Purpose: Delete a domain authentication user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -remove -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -remove -owner BROKER\admin -user USERS\myuser
• Details: Removes USERS\myuser from BROKER\admin.

49. Remove All Domain Authentication Users

• Purpose: Delete all domain authentication users.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -removeall -owner BROKER\admin
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -removeall -owner BROKER\admin
• Details: Clears all users under BROKER\admin.

50. List Domain Authentication Users

• Purpose: View all domain authentication users.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -list -owner BROKER\admin
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -T -domainauth -list -owner BROKER\admin
• Details: Lists users under BROKER\admin.

51. Display User Information

• Purpose: View details about a specific user.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -U -u user [-n | -w] [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -U -u CorpDomain\Jo -n
• Details: Shows CorpDomain\Jo details with output options.

52. Manage LDAP Collision Entries

• Purpose: Identify or resolve LDAP collision entries.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -X -collisions [-resolve]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -X -collisions -resolve
• Details: Lists or resolves collisions with -resolve.

53. Manage LDAP Schema Collision Entries

• Purpose: Identify or resolve LDAP schema collisions.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -X -schemacollisions [-resolve] [-global]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -X -schemacollisions -resolve -global
• Details: Handles schema collisions with global LDAP option.

54. Seize Schema Master FSMO

• Purpose: Transfer schema master FSMO to the local node.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -X -seizeSchemaMaster [-global]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -X -seizeSchemaMaster -global
• Details: Seizes master with global LDAP option.

55. Delete Schema Master Locks

• Purpose: Remove all schema master locks.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -X -deleteSchemaMasterLocks [-global]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -X -deleteSchemaMasterLocks -global
• Details: Clears locks with global LDAP option.

56. View Linked POD Information

• Purpose: Display details about linked PODs.
• Syntax: vdmadmin.exe -X -lpinfo [-xml]
• Example: vdmadmin.exe -X -lpinfo
• Details: Shows linked POD data, with -xml for XML format.

Best Practices for vdmadmin.exe Mastery

Maximize your Horizon management with these expert tips:

• Secure Credentials: Always use --password "*" for safe password entry.
• Leverage Output Options: Use -n, -w, -csv, or -xml to tailor command output.
• Check Machine States: Verify status with -M -m machine before actions like -markForSpaceReclamation.
• Backup Before Changes: Save configurations before running -removeall or -seizeSchemaMaster.
• Optimize Logging: Adjust -setloglevel based on diagnostic needs.
• Test First: Preview with -getdefaults or -list before applying changes.

Troubleshooting Made Easy

Encountering issues? Try these solutions:

• Command Not Found: Ensure vdmadmin.exe is run from the correct directory on the Connection Server.
• Access Issues: Verify credentials with -N -domains -list.
• Parameter Errors: Double-check case and required fields (e.g., -d, -m).
• LDAP Problems: Use -X -collisions -resolve or -X -schemacollisions -resolve to fix.

Elevate Your Horizon Experience

vdmadmin.exe is your key to unlocking advanced Horizon administration, from agent management to LDAP maintenance. By mastering these 56 commands, you can streamline operations, bolster security, and troubleshoot with ease. This guide reflects the latest insights to keep your environment at peak performance.

Ready to dive deeper? Explore the Omnissa Documentation or the Horizon 8 Architecture guide. Join the conversation in the Omnissa Community Forums to share your success stories or seek advice from fellow admins. Let’s build a stronger Horizon community together!