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Overview

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), is a system provided by Microsoft Azure that allows virtualization of Windows operating systems. It securely delivers virtualized desktops and applications over the Internet using the Remote Desktop Protocol. This service is designed for enterprise customers rather than individual users.

Azure Virtual Desktop with Windows 10/11 Enterprise Multi-Session is a cloud-based option for an on-premises Remote Desktop Server (RDS). AVD is set up in the Azure Cloud as a virtual machine.

Purpose

This document outlines the configuration and integration steps for enabling Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) with multi-session functionality within the HyWorks/HyLabs platform. This feature is available with V3.4-SP2 and above.

AVD allows users to virtualize and deploy Windows desktops and applications on Azure. It provides a scalable and flexible solution for organizations to deliver virtualized desktops and applications to their users from the cloud.

Supporting Versions

  • Accops HyWorks Controller: v3.4-SP2 or later

  • Accops HyWorks DVM Tools: v3.4-SP2 or later

  • Accops HyWorks Session Host: v3.4-SP2 or later

AVD Integration Highlights

Following are some of the key features of AVD integration in HyWorks:

  1. Added support for Windows 10/11 multi-session.

    1. The new multi-session feature of Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise, only available on Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows Server, can reduce the number of virtual machines and operating system overhead while providing the same resources to the users.

  2. Support for custom RDP properties is included in the AVD-supported provisioning profile. Users can set properties such as multi-monitor experience, audio redirection, etc., to provide an optimal experience for end-users.

  3. Makes it possible to create a full desktop virtualization environment in the Azure subscription without using gateway servers.

  4. Users can bring their images for production workloads or test them from the Azure Gallery.

  5. Automatically adjust capacity based on time, days, and demand with auto-scale to manage costs efficiently.

  6. Publish full desktops from a single host pool, and create separate application groups for different sets of users to reduce image count.

  7. Get valuable insights and metrics about your environment and the connecting users using Azure Virtual Desktop Insights.

  8. Only need to manage the images and virtual machines used for the sessions in the Azure subscription, not the infrastructure or supporting roles like a gateway or broker for Remote Desktop Services.

  9. Users can connect to reserved Windows desktops using a native application or a web browser with the HTML5 web client.

In the next documents, details of configurations, integrations will be provided.