Using Zoom within VCS
Introduction
The article explains how to use Zoom within Virtual Computer Systems (VCS).
Applicability
Anyone using or supporting VCS and wanting to use Zoom.
Details
In a lot of cases, using Zoom within VCS is not required to show contents of your VCS session with other people in the meeting since you can share whatever screen VCS is open on. So using Zoom on the physical device generally works just fine, even when sharing contents of your VCS session. If joining a meeting, you may need to copy the link from your calendar or email within VCS, and paste the link into a browser window on the physical endpoint, as simply clicking on the Zoom link in VCS would attempt to open Zoom within VCS directly.
If using Zoom within VCS is preferred, then follow the instructions in the next section to download and install the plugin.
Procedure
Zoom requires a VDI plugin be installed on the physical endpoint device, which will then leverage the webcam on the endpoint computer instead of running it on the Virtual Desktop. Performance is pretty much identical to using it on a physical device.
You must be disconnected or logged out of the VCS session before installation of the plugin. Once the plugin is installed, no further configuration needs to be done, and you can open Zoom on VCS and connect to meetings.
Installing the plugin for managed devices on campus
Installing the plugin for non-managed or personal devices
Troubleshooting
Installing the plugin for managed devices on campus:
1) Click on Start, type in Software Center, and launch it.
2) Click on Citrix Zoom HDX plugin
3) Click Install.
Installing the plugin for Non-managed or personal devices:
For any non-managed devices, you'll need to download the Citrix HDX plugin for Zoom installer, and manually install it.
Get the plugin:
Zoom Media Plugin for Windows
Zoom Media Plugin for Mac
Zoom Media Plugin for Ubuntu
Once you have the installation file, run it. And click Next to begin.
Click Next to accept the installation path.
Click Next to begin the installation.
The installation should finish after a few seconds. Click Close
Troubleshooting
To verify if the plugin is working or not, you have two options.
1) Make sure you are logged into Zoom on VCS. Then from the physical device, show the hidden icons in the system tray in the bottom right corner of the screen, and find the Zoom HDX Citrix plugin icon, left click on it to open.
Look to see if it shows that Zoom is connected.
2) From within Zoom on VCS, open the cog wheel in the top right corner.
Click on the Statistics Tab.
Then click on VDI.
The section in the red box will show you if it is connected or not. Connected means that it is working. However if it is not working, then you'll generally see an error message here with a brief explanation of why. The two most common reasons of why it isn't working.
- There is no Zoom Citrix HDX plugin installed or detected on the physical computer
- The plugin version could be quite old. As Zoom is updated on the VCS by IST regularly, the plugin must also be updated. There is generally some level of backwards compatibility with older versions, but if the plugin version gets too far out of date, it may fail to work. Updating the client from one of the locations mentioned above will usually solve the issue.
- Receive the message "Your app version needs to be 5.15.10 (VDI Plugin) or higher to sign in" when connecting to your Zoom meeting inside of VCS means the plugin installed on your local machine (NOT VCS) is out of date and needs to be updated.
Keywords: VCS, Virtual Computer Services, Zoom