Azure Virtual Desktop is an excellent DaaS or Desktop as a service based on Azure. Business organizations seeking an efficient virtual desktop service can rely on AVD. However, before deploying the offering, organizations need to know the pre-requisites and understand the setup procedure. It is, without a doubt, that AVD, though similar to WVD or Windows Virtual Desktop, has several new evolutionary features.

Pre-requisites needed for setting up Azure Virtual Desktop

There are various requirements that need to be fulfilled before you can actually set up Azure Virtual Desktop. Take a look –

  • Azure subscription for the service. If you have enough credits, you can get a test subscription for free
  • Azure Virtual Desktop license
  • Subscription for Azure Active Directory
  • Azure storage container (optional – for FSLogix profiles)
  • VPN (optional – to connect with on-premises apps)
  • If you don’t want Azure AD to be connected with the Azure Virtual Desktop, then you will need –
  • VNET or Azure Virtual Network with VNET peering or within the same VNET
  • Connection to Microsoft Active Directory through the domain controller in  Azure Active Directory Domain Services
  • Azure Active Directory Sync.
  • DNS setup

How to set up Azure Virtual Desktop?

Before you can set up Azure Virtual Desktop, there are some steps that you need to follow. These are –

  • Log in to the Microsoft Azure Portal. The account must be able to create resources and resources groups.
  • Make sure that the DNS settings of Azure Virtual Network and the domain controller is running perfectly.
  • In the search field, type Virtual Machines and then click on the first one in the list.
  • Press the network name and then select DNS servers. Set it to custom and specify the domain controllers’ IP address.

Setting up Azure Virtual Desktop –

  1. In the search bar, enter Azure Virtual Desktop to launch it
  2. Press on Create a host pool button
  3. It will lead to a form present under Basics. You need to fill out the form accurately.
  4. After that, move to the next tab, Virtual Machines, and fill out the form
  5. At the top of the form, opt for Yes at the Add virtual machines option
  6. Next, you need to fill out the Workspace form
  7. Click on Yes in the Register desktop app group
  8. Then, you need to either create a new workspace or enter the existing one
  9. In the Advanced tab, fill out the necessary details
  10. Move to the Review + create tab
  11. Check out the information given
  12. Press Create
  13. Wait for some time while Azure Virtual Desktop sets up the environment
  14. After deployment, enter Azure Virtual Desktop in the search bar and click on it
  15. In the sidebar, click Users. It will lead to the assignment of users to the host pool
  16. Add the user that has Azure Active Directory synced
  17. Go to Individual assignments
  18. Press + Add and choose the group
  19. Select Add

The user can now access the Azure Virtual Desktop services.

Conclusion

Using Azure Virtual Desktop for your organization is an excellent way to improve work productivity. You can check out the aforementioned steps to set up Azure Virtual Desktop with ease.