Did you know that managing a PC accounts for 50% to 70% of the total ownership costs? With Windows Virtual Desktop, desktop virtualization technology is here to prove as a cost-effective solution for organizations of all sizes. An instant solution to increasing costs for maintaining different desktops and systems on the go.
What is Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)?
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is a technology by Microsoft Azure that allows users to create different Windows 10 virtual desktops in Azure. As Azure is a cloud technology, you can leverage the power of the cloud to eliminate the need for expensive hardware, simplify IT with a single solution, optimize security and compliance and improve overall performance of your system.
Key Features of WVD
- Windows 10 multi-user session allows multiple users to concurrently use Azure virtual machines as a desktop.
- Enables full desktop virtualization environment with your Azure subscription.
- Reduces costs with a multi-session OS environment.
- Handles user profiles independently using FXLogic technology.
- Provides individuality with personal desktops using common resources.
- Easy licensing with no additional charge for multiple Windows 10 subscriptions.
- Uses Azure portal, powershell, REST interfaces to create host pools, groups, assign resources to users and configure user identities.
- Services not limited to desktop devices. Easily connect from any device through native application or client.
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- Built-in delegates help you assign roles to manage your virtual environment and run diagnostics to log configuration or user errors.
- Publishes remote apps from a single host pool.
- Updated diagnostic service helps you help yourself.
Prerequisites for Setting up WVD
Before you begin, there are some prerequisites that you need to fulfill to successfully use WVD and connect users to their respective desktops and applications. Let’s take a look.
- Supported operating systems include Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, and Windows Server 2012.
- You should subscribe to Azure. Your subscription should contain enough credit to provide resources for respective virtual machines.
- An active Windows Server Active Directory (WSAD) linked to Azure Active Directory (AD).
- You must install the Windows Virtual Desktop cmdlets for Powershell on your device.
- The virtual machines you create for WVD must be standard domain-joined or hybrid AD-joined and running on the above mentioned operating systems.
- For seamless performance, please make sure that your round-trip latency should be less than 150ms. Make sure your resources belong to the same region.
- For detailed information, follow Microsoft’s guide to setting up WVD.
What’s New in Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) – 2020 Summer Update?
- Improved Latency
- Remote Session Time Zone
- Automate Deployments With Commands
- Classic vs. WVD
- Autoscaling
- Ease With Azure
- Teams Update
- Integration With Azure Resource Manager
- Update for Mobile Devices
- New UI Look
1. Improved Latency
Microsoft Azure has improved network performance in regions such as the UK, France, Norway and South Korea. By improving performance to reduce network latency, Microsoft has paved the way for faster connections in the aforementioned regions.
2. Remote Session Time Zone
Previously on the Teams desktop client version, you only saw UTC time zone in the channels, calendar and chats. Now you can view the client in the remote session’s time zone, instead.
3. Automate Deployments With Commands
Those who love using Azure on command line interface (CLI), can now automate deployments with commands on Azure CLI using desktopvirtualization list of extension codes.
4. Classic vs. WVD
If you’re confused with WVD Classic and WVD, let us resolve what each means. The ‘Fall 2019 update’ is now known as ‘WVD Classic’ whereas after the current update, it’s just known as ‘WVD’.
5. Autoscaling
Before the latest update, autoscaling was in preview mode. However, this latest update has now made it available to use. It’s used to automatically restart host virtual machines (VMs) within a host pool.
To use this feature, you require Azure Automation Account and Azure Logic App. This helps in reducing infrastructure costs by scaling session hosts on demand.
Why Windows Virtual Desktop Is The Best Security & Management Solution For Remote Workers?
6. Ease With Azure
Integration of WVD with Azure portal allows you to do two things –
a. Assign users directly to desktop session hosts
b. Change the validation settings for host pools
7. Teams Update
There are considerable updates for Microsoft Teams. WVD now supports audio and video optimization for desktop clients.
Redirection is a feature that creates a direct path between users when they use audio and video options in meetings by improving latency. This means that there’ll be less buffering with smoother video and sound during calls.
8. Integration With Azure Resource Manager
WVD is now integrated into Azure Resource Manager (ARM). Thus, WVD objects can be called ARM resources. The various benefits of this integration include –
a. Manage everything directly through the Azure portal. No need for any third party softwares or powershell.
b. Publish resources directly to Azure Active Directory Groups.
c. Delegate roles to resource objects for simpler management.
d. To expand a host pool, go to the host pool and directly deploy session hosts.4
e. Monitor functions using Log Analytics in Azure Portal rather than using powershell or diagnostic services.
f. No longer need Azure Active Directory (AD) consent to use WVD.
9. Update for Mobile Devices
The remote desktop client for Android comes with new features. The updated app now comes with WVD connections. A new UI for better user experience. You can now enable conditional access on Android with Microsoft Authenticator.
10. New UI Look
Remote desktop client now has a refreshed new UI for better user experience. With light and dark modes and other exciting features, go ahead and download the new remote desktop app now!
The Power of Microsoft With Xperteks
When you partner with Xperteks, you get an environment suitable for business growth. Even during remote work environments, we promise seamless tech support with Windows Virtual Desktop in NYC.
We leverage cloud computing to reduce operational costs attached to your business. You get the various benefits of reduced hardware costs, simplified IT solutions, security and compliance, increased productivity, and much more.
Let’s start your journey with Windows Virtual Desktop to help your employees gain better traction over productivity and efficiency!
