How to Remote Desktop Multiple Users on Windows 10 with Windows Virtual Desktop
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.
Learn about Windows 10 Multi-Session
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 as ProductType, 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.
Enable Windows Virtual Desktop Integration in Parallels RAS
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 to Farm > Site > Settings, select the Features tab and locate the Windows Virtual Desktop section at the bottom of the page.
2. Check the Enable WVD management checkbox.
3. Click Download to 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. The Client feature set selection specifies which client features will be available when a published resource in Parallels Client is opened.
Create a Windows 10 Multi-Session Template
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 to Farm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktop, select the Templates tab and click [+] to open the Create Parallels Template Wizard.
1. On the first page, select Windows Virtual Desktop as the Provider and choose Multi-session as the Template Type. Then, click Next.
The Custom host option for Source displays a list of pre-created virtual machines, which can also be Windows 10 multi-session, whereas the Browse all images button 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 click Next.
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. Click Next.
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 click Next.
6. Select the Optimization settings. By default, these settings are inherited from Site defaults, but custom settings can also be specified.
7. On the Preparation page, select an image preparation tool 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.
Create a Multi-Session Host Pool Using a 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 choose Template as 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 to Farm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktop, select the Host pools tab and locate the host pool to be modified. Right-click on it and choose Properties. In the dialog box that opens [shown below], select the Autoscale tab, and choose a template through the Select Template drop-down menu.
2. The next steps would be to publish 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 to Farm > Site > Windows Virtual Desktop and select the Sessions tab. 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 as Disconnect, Log off, Remote control or Show processes. The Show information option opens an information dialog where session properties are grouped by functionality.
Support Various Cloud Deployment Options with Parallels RAS
Parallels RAS supports hybrid and cloud 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-day trial version of Parallels RAS can be deployed from the Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS marketplaces.
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