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Cloud-based virtualisation service, giving your users access to corporate Windows desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device.
Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop) is a cloud-based desktop and application virtualisation service provided by Microsoft Azure, offering improved security, scalability and productivity.
AZURE VIRTUAL DESKTOP
A virtual desktop is a preconfigured image of operating systems and applications which is shared by other virtual machines on a central network. Virtual desktops can be accessed from any location via a client software that is connected to the internet. Virtual desktops such as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) enables users to access their unique desktop environments remotely over a network.
AVD allows users to access corporate Windows desktops and applications from anywhere and on any device, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux.
With AVD, users can run virtualized applications on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure and stream them to their devices. The service also allows for the deployment of multiple virtual machines (VMs) running Windows 10/11 or Windows Server in the cloud, giving users secure access to a virtual desktop environment that can be customized to meet their organisations specific needs.
Azure Virtual Desktop
AVD offers a range of features, including built-in security features, dynamic policy access and control as well as comprehensive compliance certifications.
The service also integrates with other Microsoft products and services, such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, to provide a complete and seamless virtual workspace experience for user.
Utilise Azure’s comprehensive security offerings, such as Azure Firewall, Azure Security Centre, Azure Sentinel, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, for end-to-end security from your endpoints to your applications. Secure your employee and company data by storing it in Azure rather than on local desktops.
Implement conditional access policies to assess and manage risks before granting users access to your AVD, ensuring that only authorized users can access your environment. AVD also comes with the ability to set up MFA and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
Azure has more certifications than any other cloud provider to help organisations across sectors meet their regulatory and compliance requirements. Take advantage of AVD compliance certifications including ISO 27001, 27018, plus many more.
The two AVD host pools
Host Pools are a collection of one or more identical virtual machines within the AVD environment. AVD offers two types of host pools for creating and managing desktops: multisession pooled and personal.
It’s important to consider the specific use case and requirements of your organization when choosing between personal host pools. The cost and resources required to run a personal pool might be higher than pooled or multisession host pools.
A multisession host pool is a type of AVD host pool that allows multiple users to share a single virtual machine concurrently, each with their own separate session. This means that each user has their own unique environment, including applications and data, while sharing the same underlying infrastructure.
Multisession host pools are useful for organizations that have a large number of users who need to access the same set of applications, but do not require dedicated resources. By sharing the same VM, multisession host pools can help reduce costs and improve scalability.
Benefits of using multisession host pools include:
Lower your costs, as multiple users can share the same resources
Multisession host pools enable your users to be reassigned to different desktops as needed
Cost-effective solution for running multiple concurrent sessions on a single virtual machine
Multisession allows more users to be added to the pool without requiring additional resources.
An AVD personal pool is a type of host pool that provides each user with their own dedicated, personal desktop. This means that each user has their own, unique environment, including applications, data, and settings, and they cannot access other users’ desktops.
Personal host pools are useful for organizations that have a small number of users or users who require dedicated resources and a high level of security. Personal host pools can be used to provide remote access to the user’s own device or to provide a dedicated virtual machine for each user.
Benefits of using personal host pools include:
Users have their own dedicated desktop, with their own, settings and applications
As resources are not shared among multiple users', performance is maximised
Provides personalised customisable experience for each user
Benefits
AVD is a business-critical platform for many businesses operational processes and is critical to other services throughout a business’s cloud portfolio such as applications and remote desktops. Strategic objectives are often the basis for adopting AVD. The following objectives are typical for why a business would adopt and invest in AVD:
An organisation often adopts Azure Virtual Desktop to mitigate risks that are related to contracts, regulations, compliance, or sovereignty.
If migration of other assets depends on Azure Virtual Desktop, then an organization tends to focus on reducing costs, complexities, or operational overhead.
Azure Virtual Desktop in the cloud supports delivery of transformative products and services.
By using cloud services, an organization can seamlessly scale up and down with infrastructure
An organisation can choose from many virtual machine families and sizes that are optimized for various compute requirements.
An organisation can consider Azure to be an operational cost rather than an upfront cost, because pricing is based on consumption. For example, the charge for using a virtual machine is based on the time that it's active, which can realize cost savings for the organization.
While AVD isn’t typically an organization’s first platform in the cloud, it can be the most important. Understanding the strategy for migrating to AVD and how to achieve the outcomes that you want is critical to the success of all plans for cloud adoption.
BCN has extensive experience in delivering and managing AVD infrastructure, and their team of experts can help ensure that the deployment and management of the environment is seamless and efficient.
BCN offers a flexible approach to AVD infrastructure, allowing organizations to customize their environment to meet their unique needs and requirements.
BCN’s AVD infrastructure is designed to be highly scalable, allowing organizations to easily add or remove virtual desktops and applications as their needs change.
BCN provides advanced security features, such as multi-factor authentication and role-based access control, to protect against cyber threats and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
BCN provides comprehensive support services for AVD infrastructure, including 24/7 technical support and ongoing management and monitoring of the environment.
BCN’s AVD infrastructure seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services, such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, to provide a complete and seamless virtual workspace experience for users.
Find out more about how BCN can support your organisations cloud journey.
There’s no one-size fits all approach to the cloud, and that’s why BCN offer a wide range of cloud solutions and services designed to meet all of our customers requirements. Explore our comprehensive cloud and infrastructure services.
BCN’s managed IT support services ensure expert maintenance, smooth operations, enhanced security and prompt problem resolution. Whilst you’re busy making your business the best it can be, depend on us for the rest.
Every organisation needs to back their data up off-site either for long-term storage or for disaster recovery. BCN offer managed cloud and on-premises backup services ensuring your data is recoverable.
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