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Microsoft Teams Audio/Video optimization in VDI

This article explains how to enable Microsoft Teams video and audio optimization in a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environment. Microsoft has launched an audio/video optimization pack designed for VDI use. Teams must be updated to the latest version to utilize this feature, and a new web socket service must be installed within the VDI. Microsoft's new RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) client software on the user's machine has built-in optimizations.

In HyWorks Based Environment

Accops can use the new optimizations as per the steps given below:

Reference Link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/teams-on-wvd

Server Preparation

  1. Install the latest Teams in VDI/RDS.

  2. Enable optimizations using the following registry changes:

    1. Open Registry Editor as an administrator.

    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Teams.

    3. Create the Teams key if it doesn't already exist.

    4. Create the following entry: Type DWORD, Name: IsWVDEnvironment, and Value = 1

  3. Download MS Web Redirector Service and install it on VDI/RDS: detailed steps are provided in the reference Microsoft article.

    1. Check this article to get the latest version of WebRTC Redirector Service.

Client Preparation

  1. Install Windows desktop client on the user’s PC.

    • Check this article to download the latest Remote Desktop Client.

  2. When using VDI published via HyWorks,

    1. Install the latest HyWorks Client with support for Windows desktop clients.

    2. Workspace Client (HyWorks 3.2.8.171 or higher) with support for Windows desktop clients.

Controller Configurations

The following configurations should be done to use MSTeams optimizations via HyWorks.

  1. To access the management console, go to Policies > Connection Profiles page.

  2. Create/Update connection profile.

  3. Go to the Access Setting page.

    1. Set Window Client Session Launcher Option as Windows Desktop client (MSRDC)

    2. Alternatively, for older versions of HyWorks Controller (not having the above option in the Connection profile), the following steps can be used:

      1. Go to Additional Settings.

      2. Add the following RDP (Windows) command line parameters: accUseMsrdc:i:1.

  4. Save connection profile.

  5. Make sure that the updated connection profile is configured to be used for the target remote connection.

Verify media optimizations loaded

After installing the Web Socket Service and the Teams desktop app, follow these steps to verify that Teams media optimizations are loaded:

  1. Select your user profile image, then select About.

  2. Select Version.

    1. The banner will display WVD Media Optimization if the media optimization is loaded. If it displays WVD Media not connected, quit the Teams app and try again.

  3. Select your user profile image, then select Settings.

    1. If the media optimization is loaded, the device menu will enumerate the audio devices and cameras available locally.

    2. If the menu shows Remote audio, quit the Teams app and try again. If the devices still don't appear in the menu, check the Privacy settings on your local PC. Ensure that under Settings > Privacy > App permissions, the option Allow apps to access your microphone is toggled on.

    3. Disconnect from the remote session, then reconnect and recheck the audio and video devices. To join calls and meetings with video, you must also grant apps permission to access your camera.

Note

If the endpoint system lacks an MS Remote Desktop Client, the workspace client will utilize the built-in Accops EDCLauncher to establish a connection to the remote desktop.

Teams Optimizations for RDP Apps using HySecure Client

Note

  • This should only be used when connecting to RDP apps using the HySecure client and requiring MS Teams optimization.

  • For desktop delivery via HyWorks, configurations can be made from the management console under connection profile configurations.

As in this delivery mode, the HyWorks Controller will not be present in the delivery scenario; the configurations will be driven from the HySecure Gateway Admin Portal and HySecure client:

Prerequisites:

  1. The server and client configurations are completed as per the details provided above.

  2. To enable use of MS Remote Desktop Client, use the following configurations:

    1. In the HySecure client, go to Options > Remote Desktop Settings.

    2. Set the Use Protocol as "Use MS Desktop Client.”

    3. Click on OK to save the preferences.

  3. After launching the RDP App, you should try using the MS Remote Desktop client (if installed). Optimization verification remains the same as described above.

Note

If the HySecure client cannot locate the MS Remote Desktop Client, it will try to connect to the remote desktop using the MSTSC client.