Azure Virtual Desktop
Learn all about the ins and outs of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) below, as well as how organizations can easily deploy, manage, and save up to 75% savings on Microsoft Azure.
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), previously Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), is a Microsoft Azure-based (Windows) virtual desktop operating system used to securely host desktops and applications in the cloud.
Windows 10/11 Enterprise Multi-Session is arguably one of the biggest differentiators for Azure and AVD compared to other public clouds. Using Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise Multi-session with AVD is a cost-effective cloud-based alternative to on-premises Remote Desktop Server (RDS) and is typically deployed on a virtual machine (VM). In terms of licensing and pricing, all AVD license costs are already included in several Microsoft 365 subscriptions, including Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft 365 E3, but more on that below.
Azure Virtual Desktop enables users to not only access their desktops any time and from any location, but also the specific applications on them via almost any browser without the need for that application to be installed on the device. It’s also compatible across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Let’s dive into some of the specifics of the AVD service, including aspects of architecture, management, benefits, use cases, and so much more.
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), previously Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), is a Microsoft Azure-based (Windows) virtual desktop operating system used to securely host desktops and applications in the cloud.
Windows 10/11 Enterprise Multi-Session is arguably one of the biggest differentiators for Azure and AVD compared to other public clouds. Using Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise Multi-session with AVD is a cost-effective cloud-based alternative to on-premises Remote Desktop Server (RDS) and is typically deployed on a virtual machine (VM). In terms of licensing and pricing, all AVD license costs are already included in several Microsoft 365 subscriptions, including Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft 365 E3, but more on that below.
Azure Virtual Desktop enables users to not only access their desktops any time and from any location, but also the specific applications on them via almost any browser without the need for that application to be installed on the device. It’s also compatible across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Let’s dive into some of the specifics of the AVD service, including aspects of architecture, management, benefits, use cases, and so much more.
Azure Virtual Desktop Architecture
Read more in-depth about the complete Azure Virtual Desktop technical architecture here, otherwise, the graphic below provides a quick summary.
Azure Virtual Desktop Management
All components of Azure Virtual Desktop are managed via the Azure portal, PowerShell, or third-party tools like Nerdio Manager.
Azure Virtual Desktop Operating System
Azure Virtual Desktop supports all current versions of Windows, including Windows 10 Enterprise (single session), EVD (multi-session) and Server 2012/2016/2019.
Azure Virtual Desktop Image Management
Azure Virtual Desktop can leverage all image types. These include Azure Marketplace images, custom images, and shared image gallery images. Session host VMs can be created from these images and be kept up to date by updating the image and then re-imaging session hosts to the latest version. Images can be stored in one or more Azure regions for geographic distribution and resilience. Images can use any supported operating system and be both Gen1 and Gen2 VM hardware. There is no limit on the number of Azure images that can be used in an AVD environment.
Azure Virtual Desktop Applications & Updates
Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts can be updated via Microsoft Endpoint Manager, through a golden image, or manually in the Azure portal. Applications can be delivered to session hosts via image updates, manual installation on host VMs, or using MSIX app attach. The update and application delivery process in AVD is very flexible and can be fully automated. Read more about AVD application management in this article.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts can be backed up and protected in several different ways including using native Azure services like Azure Site Recovery and Azure Backup. Azure allows organizations to create a robust backup, disaster recovery (DR), and business continuity strategy for their virtual desktop environments.
For further reading, check out this article about making AVD deployments more resilient with DR considerations.
Azure Virtual Desktop Monitoring
Azure Virtual Desktop includes robust logging, diagnostics, monitoring, and reporting capabilities. Logs are generated by the AVD service and AVD agent running on session host VMs. This information is streamed to Azure Log Analytics where it is captured and visualized with Azure Monitor workbooks. Many third-party monitoring tools are available for AVD to help monitor and measure performance, issues, etc.
Azure Virtual Desktop User Profiles
Azure Virtual Desktop leverages FSLogix for user profile encapsulation. This allows users to easily roam between session host VMs without losing their user state between sessions. Personal AVD desktops can be deployed without FSLogix, but even in persistent scenarios FSLogix profiles provide a valuable profile backup capability and make it easier to manage session host updates through images. An SMB file share is required to host the FSLogix profile containers. This can be an Azure Files share, Azure NetApp Files volume, or a file server VM.
Azure Virtual Desktop Networking
IT admins fully control all aspects of Azure Virtual Desktop networking since it runs in a customer-managed Azure subscription. Static IP addresses can be assigned, VPN tunnels configured, and firewall rules enforced. Azure allows for the creation of self-contained virtual networks (VNets). These can be peered (connected) directly to other Azure VNets, with firewalls or Network Security Groups (NSGs) attached to control traffic. Routing is handled by Microsoft, but route tables can be created if required.
Auto-scaling
Azure Virtual Desktop uses an Azure usage-based pricing model so auto-scale can be used to drastically reduce Azure compute and storage costs. While there are auto-scaling options in the native AVD service, using third party automation and management tools have been shown to save up to 75% of the costs of peak Azure demand. You can read more about native vs non-native auto-scale comparisons here. It is also possible to use Azure Reserved Instances to reduce costs and guarantee available capacity.
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Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop
Security
With Azure Virtual Desktop, organizations benefit from over 3,500 global cybersecurity experts working tirelessly to defend against every threat and protect their data and assets in Microsoft Azure.
Azure Virtual Desktop leverages an organization's existing Azure security framework to ensure the security of company data and applications. Staff working on sensitive data in high-risk situations are protected because data is not stored on their device. This is equally true for staff working from non-secure networks like cafes, ensuring an organization is fully protected. More information on Microsoft Azure security can be found here.
Cost
Azure Virtual Desktop is a much more affordable option compared to on-premises options. Aside from the absence of expensive, outdated hardware that an organization must maintain and store, Azure Virtual Desktop is included in most M365 subscriptions already.
Click here for more information on how Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) saves your organization money.
Click here for our free comprehensive Azure Cost Estimator!
Management & Simplicity
Although Azure Virtual Desktop can be complex when deployed and managed natively, with the help of Nerdio Manager, almost all functions can be performed by any staff member within just a few clicks. Most customers realize up to 80%-time savings when using Nerdio Manager compared to managing AVD natively.
Accessibility
Unlike traditional on- premises options, Azure Virtual Desktop allows multiple sessions on a Windows 10 VM. This means that an organization can have multiple users access the same virtual machine while reducing the cost of maintaining multiple VM licenses. Also, these sessions are isolated from each other, which gives higher security and privacy.
Use Cases for Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop is ideal for organizations that require more flexibility and customization opportunities within Azure. This can be done by an on-staff experienced Azure engineer, or by implementing an AVD deployment and management platform such as Nerdio.
If an organization’s number of virtual desktops fluctuates often, AVD is very cost effective, as admins can dial in their Azure compute very closely to reduce overall Azure costs for the organization. Microsoft does offer another virtual desktop or more specifically DaaS (Desktop-as-a-Service) solution called Windows 365.
Read more about the use cases of Azure Virtual Desktop here: Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Windows 365: Comparing Two DaaS Products
Azure Virtual Desktop IT Admin User Experience
How Much Does Azure Virtual Desktop Cost?
Azure Virtual Desktop requires the user connecting to an AVD session to have an assigned Windows 10 Enterprise subscription license. Windows 10 Enterprise can be purchased as a standalone subscription (e.g., Windows 10 Ent E3/E5/VDA) or be included as part of a Windows 365 suite subscription (e.g., M365 E3/E5 and Business Premium). This Windows subscription license includes the usage rights of the AVD control plane and entitles the user to connect to Windows 10 desktops hosted in Azure. All other costs are part of Azure infrastructure consumption (e.g., compute, storage, networking).
Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure costs are based on Azure consumption. This includes the compute costs of running AVD session host VMs, the cost of OS disks and the usage of Azure Files for FSLogix storage. All costs are based on actual usage. If a VM is powered off, there is no compute charge.
Azure Virtual Desktop networking costs are incurred at the Azure subscription level where session host VMs run. These charges typically include egress bandwidth, NAT gateway, VPNs, and Firewalls.
Intune can be optionally used to manage Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts. However, Intune is not required for an AVD deployment, and most environments are managed via images.
Azure Virtual Desktop requires a subscription to Windows 365 Apps with Shared Computer Activation entitlement. All Microsoft 365 packages that include Office Apps have Shared Computer Activation.
Additional Resources of the Cost of Azure Virtual Desktop
Accurate Azure Pricing Tool
Check out our free Azure Cost Estimator; it’s an easy-to-use, wizard-driven, accurate Azure price calculator that will give you a full breakdown of all aspects of your Microsoft Azure environment so there are no cost surprises. Plus, you can see how much you could be saving by using reserved instances, Nerdio Manager, and more.
How to Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop
To connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, users navigate to https://aka.ms/wvdwebarm or download a client app from https://aka.ms/wvdclients.
Users connect to AVD sessions and cloud PCs using the same client app, which is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android and as a HTML client. Admins can control the resources visible to individual end-users and the user will see everything in a single feed using the same app. The authentication and multi-factor experience will also be very familiar since it leverages Azure AD, which is used for M365 and AVD authentication.
How to Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop
Using Nerdio Manager for MSP, there are several ways to automatically and very easily deploy Azure Virtual Desktop depending on an MSPs’ unique needs. Read about each of them here, as well as how long each instance takes.
Note that the Nerdio Help Center holds hundreds of helpful articles that will walk the MSP reader through almost any scenario.
For enterprise organizations, Nerdio offers our Zendesk Knowledge Base. And you can read more in this article about how to quickly and easily move existing AVD deployments with Nerdio Manager for Enterprise.
Nerdio Makes AVD Deployment Faster, Management Easier, & More Affordable
Automatically deploy a complete virtual desktop environment in a couple of hours or connect to an existing environment in 10 minutes, manage all users from one intuitive management platform, and save up to 75% on Azure compute and storage costs with Nerdio’s auto-scaling feature.
Schedule a demo today to see how AVD and Nerdio can fit your organization’s needs.
Additional Resources on Azure Virtual Desktop
Explore our blog, the Nerdio Academy, where you’ll find technical and business-related content about all things Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Intune, and Windows 365.