Windows Virtual Desktop session limit

This blog post introduces Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session as a new Remote Desktop Session Host [RDSH] exclusively for Windows Virtual Desktop. It also provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a Windows 10 multi-session template from the Parallels® Remote Application Server [RAS] Console.

In addition to supporting multiple concurrent interactive sessions, there are additional differences between Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session and other Windows 10 single-session versions. The main features of Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session are listed below:

• Availability and support:Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session can be found in the Azure Gallery, and it is available through the Azure Windows Virtual Desktop service and from the Parallels RAS Console, which is able to read the marketplace images. Microsoft does not support it on non-Azure deployments.
• License eligibility:An eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license provides access to Windows 10 Enterprise desktops and applications. Organizations can use existing per-user Windows licensing instead of Remote Desktop Services [RDS] Client Access Licenses [CALs].View a full list of applicable licenses.
• Session limits:There are no limits regarding how many interactive sessions can be active over a host simultaneously. This number will be estimated by administrators analyzing the hosts resources as well as the systems workload, which is generated by the applications running concurrently.
• Compatibility:It reports Windows Server asProductType,meaning that this OS is compatible with management tools, OS optimizations and applications that have already been used for RDSH environments.
• Profiles:Microsoft recommends the use of FSLogix Profile Containers when using this OS in non-persistent environments that need a centrally stored profile.

Parallels RAS extends and enriches Windows Virtual Desktop capabilities by integrating all virtual workloads and resources centrally. However, Windows Virtual Desktop integration is not enabled by default. To enable it from the Parallels RAS Console, follow the subsequent steps:

1. Navigate toFarm > Site > Settings,select theFeaturestab and locate the Windows Virtual Desktop section at the bottom of the page.

2. Check theEnable WVD managementcheckbox.

3. ClickDownloadto get the current version of WVD Agent and BootLoader, saving them on either the Publishing Agent or a Network share. Once both are downloaded successfully, Status is marked as Available and the Current Version is displayed, as shown in the screenshot above.

4. TheClient feature setselection specifies which client features will be available when a published resource in Parallels Client is opened.

Prior to creating a Windows 10 multi-session template, administrators must configure the connection between their Parallels RAS setup and an Azure Subscription by adding a new Windows Virtual Desktop provider. A Microsoft Azure Tenant ID, Subscription ID,Application ID,and a secret key need to be provided.

Once the provider has been added, navigate toFarm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktop,select theTemplatestab and click[+]to open the Create Parallels Template Wizard.

1. On the first page, selectWindows Virtual Desktopas the Provider and chooseMulti-sessionas the Template Type. Then, clickNext.

2. On the Template Source page, select any of the available Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session versions from the Azure Gallery window. Enter the credentials for the Local administration account. Click>Next.

TheCustom hostoption for Source displays a list of pre-created virtual machines, which can also be Windows 10 multi-session, whereas theBrowse all imagesbutton opens a dialog to choose any other image from the Marketplace or Shared Image Gallery.

3. On the Properties page, complete the following fields as needed: Template Name, Number of hosts to deploy on wizard completion, Maximum number of hosts, Create an availability set, and Host prefix. Then clickNext.

4. On the Settings page, specify the values for the Keep available buffer, Host power state after the preparation, and Delete unused hosts after fields. ClickNext.

5. On the Hosts page, select virtual machine properties from the predefined Azure values for Resource Group, VM Size, OS disk type, Virtual network and Subnet. Then clickNext.

6. Select theOptimizationsettings. By default, thesesettingsare inherited from Site defaults, but custom settings can also be specified.

7. On the Preparation page, select animagepreparationtool and specify the required options.

8. On the Summary page, review all the defined settings and click on the Finish button to create the template.

Once a template has been created, it can be assigned to a host pool either when the pool is created or by editing the properties of a previously created host pool.

1. The Provisioning step of the Add Windows Virtual Desktop Host Pool wizard allows administrators to chooseTemplateas a provisioning type. If this method is selected, a template can be chosen from the list of already existing templates.

To view and modify the properties of an existing host pool, navigate toFarm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktop,select theHost poolstab and locate the host pool to be modified. Right-click on it and chooseProperties.In the dialog box that opens [shown below], select theAutoscaletab, and choose a template through theSelect Templatedrop-down menu.

2. The next steps would be topublish Windows Virtual Desktop resources,applications or desktops, and configure user assignment and filtering rules. Once this process has been carried out, entitled users will be able to access a Windows 10 multi-session desktop from their Parallels Client.

3. To view and manage Windows Virtual Desktop sessions, navigate toFarm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktopand select theSessionstab. Sessions from all hosts in all host pools are displayed in the list.

Note that Parallels RAS allows for centrally managed end-user sessions running over Windows Virtual Desktop session hosts, including different task execution such asDisconnect, Log off, Remote controlorShow processes.TheShow informationoption opens an information dialog where session properties are grouped by functionality.

Parallels RAS supports hybrid andcloud models,providing enterprises the flexibility to leverage these alternatives according to their technological and economic requirements. By using Parallels RAS, organizations can build the desktop and application delivery solution that best fits their needs. This can be achieved by combining the use of RDSH, VDI and Windows Virtual Desktop workloads and optimizing costs with a superior management experience from a single administration point. A fully functional, 30-daytrialversion of Parallels RAS can be deployed from theMicrosoft AzureandAmazon AWSmarketplaces.

Sources: //www.parallels.com/blogs/ras/remote-desktop-multiple-users-windows-10/