Azure Virtual Desktop: Configuration and Usage
Multi-session Virtual Machines
Azure Virtual Desktop simplifies resource creation by allowing to set up Windows 11 virtual machines or use custom VM images. These resources can be accessed by multiple users simultaneously. Additionally, it provides the capability to virtualize Microsoft 365 Apps and Windows applications, giving users the freedom to access them from any device they prefer — whether it’s a computer, tablet, or even a phone. With Azure Virtual Desktop, users can effortlessly utilize the applications and environments they need, making work and collaboration more convenient.
In this publication I will provide an introduction to Azure Virtual Desktop, guiding you through the process of creating accessible VMs for users.
Prerequisites
To follow along with the instructions provided, please ensure that you have the following prerequisites: An Azure subscription
Configuration: Creating a host pool, app group, and user
To get started, follow these simplified steps:
- Open your web browser and go to the Azure portal.
- In the search bar, type Virtual Desktop and hit Enter.
- Choose the option that appears for Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Navigate to the Getting Started menu
- Click Start. This opens the Getting Started wizard
a. If you have Azure AD Domain Services, you can select that for the Identity provider setting. Otherwise, select No Identity Provider.
b. Select Azure AD Domain Services for the Identity service type.
c. Enter a Name for the Resource group.
d. Pick a Location.
e. Enter a username and Password for the Azure user credentials. This is the Azure Active Directory administrator that has access to deploy resources.
f. Also fill in a username and Password for the Domain administrator credentials. This is for a new Azure AD user that will be created and granted permission to join machines to the domain. (Although it may appear complicated, the reason for this is that the Virtual Desktop host pool will be created in a new domain. This is because previously selected that I do not have an Identity provider yet.)
g. Click Next: Virtual Machines
h. Leave the “Users per virtual machine” setting to Multiple users. This allows multiple users to use a VM at the same time
i. Pick a VM image from the gallery.
j. Leave the Virtual machine size
k. Enter a Name prefix for the VMs
l. Uncheck the Link Azure template checkbox.
m. Click Next: Assignments
n. Fill in a username for the account that will log into the VMs
o. Enter a password for the account, and confirm the password
p. Click Review + Create and then Create.
Now, let’s examine the resources we have created.
- Go to the Azure Virtual Desktop management blade
- Click on the Host Pools menu.
Within the resources, you will find a pool that includes an Application Group and Session Hosts. These components allow you to manage applications, such as MSI packages for Windows applications, and have control over the virtual machines that users can access.
Since we currently only provisioned session hosts without virtualizing any applications, users can only utilize the VMs within the host pool. They can access these VMs through RDP, SSH, or Azure Bastion, and the experience is similar to using a regular Azure Virtual Machine. However, you have a lot of control over the VMs’ security, availability, and scale. And multiple users can use the VM at the same time.
For more information, see: What is Azure Virtual Desktop