Need some technical answers about AVD
Greetings. I’m considering using Azure Virtual Desktop but before I jump in too far, or even create a trial account, I’m hoping people here can answer some technical questions. I’m a total newbie when it comes to AVD, so please bear with me. One of my most important goals is keeping the total cost down.
Background: I wrote a very small desktop Windows app for the residents of the retirement community where I live. It allows them to display and search on resident demographic information. The app consists of an executable and a few ancillary files. The entire app takes less than 35MB, and when running uses extremely little CPU. However, the app only runs on Windows desktops, and some users want to access it with things like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Android devices. I want to allow such users to access my app remotely on a “desktop” running in the cloud, which is why I’m considering using AVD.
I contacted MS Sales and unfortunately they weren’t able to answer my questions, and I’m unable to contact MS tech support, so I’ll ask them here.
1. If I use multi-session (multiple users using one VM), will each user who logs into that one VM have a separate session? Or will they all be sharing the same session? I want to make sure that each user has their own session with their own keyboard input, their own view of the app, etc. Must I use Single-Session to accomplish that?
2. Do I have to purchase Client Access Licenses (CLA’s), or any other type of licenses, separately, or does the all the pricing (per user charges, CPU usage, storage fees, etc. etc.) include the licensing fees?
3. Are there charges for inactive VMs, meaning when no one is logged into them? If you’re familiar with Amazons AWS AppStream 2.0, it’s what they call “stopped-instance fees.”
Questions about the pricing calculator:
4. Under Per User Access Pricing is an entry called “External Users?” What are they? Do I need them or do I enter Not Applicable? I’m not an “organization.” I just have a bunch of residents who want to log in to AVD and use my app. I entered 2 for Total Named Users (meaning a maximum of 2 users at a time can log in).
5. If you click the little arrow next to “Customize the size of the OS,” it displays an item called “OS Size” and the text “amount of core required by the OS.” It defaults to 0.75. It LOOKs like a percentage. Changing that percentage drastically changes the monthly cost. What is that number, and how do I know what to set it to? By the way, I’m considering using an A0 Instance, which 1 core and 0.75GB of RAM.
6. Under Connectivity, I don’t understand what the “Peak Concurrency” and “Off-Peak Concurrency” percentages are, and how they affect cost. With my user base there is no “peak” time. Anyone could access my app at any time of day, but at most times of day no one will be using the app at all.
7. Further down, I also don’t understand the “off-peak concurrency” and “peak concurrency” calculations — I entered 2 for Total Named Users and 5 for Total Usage Hours — why then is it calculating off-peak concurrency using 725 hours? And is Total Usage Hours per user, or for total users?
8. Under Managed Disks, it says I need two disks. Why not just one? One would be more than large enough for my needs.
Thanks to all for any help.
Greetings. I’m considering using Azure Virtual Desktop but before I jump in too far, or even create a trial account, I’m hoping people here can answer some technical questions. I’m a total newbie when it comes to AVD, so please bear with me. One of my most important goals is keeping the total cost down. Background: I wrote a very small desktop Windows app for the residents of the retirement community where I live. It allows them to display and search on resident demographic information. The app consists of an executable and a few ancillary files. The entire app takes less than 35MB, and when running uses extremely little CPU. However, the app only runs on Windows desktops, and some users want to access it with things like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Android devices. I want to allow such users to access my app remotely on a “desktop” running in the cloud, which is why I’m considering using AVD. I contacted MS Sales and unfortunately they weren’t able to answer my questions, and I’m unable to contact MS tech support, so I’ll ask them here. 1. If I use multi-session (multiple users using one VM), will each user who logs into that one VM have a separate session? Or will they all be sharing the same session? I want to make sure that each user has their own session with their own keyboard input, their own view of the app, etc. Must I use Single-Session to accomplish that? 2. Do I have to purchase Client Access Licenses (CLA’s), or any other type of licenses, separately, or does the all the pricing (per user charges, CPU usage, storage fees, etc. etc.) include the licensing fees? 3. Are there charges for inactive VMs, meaning when no one is logged into them? If you’re familiar with Amazons AWS AppStream 2.0, it’s what they call “stopped-instance fees.” Questions about the pricing calculator: 4. Under Per User Access Pricing is an entry called “External Users?” What are they? Do I need them or do I enter Not Applicable? I’m not an “organization.” I just have a bunch of residents who want to log in to AVD and use my app. I entered 2 for Total Named Users (meaning a maximum of 2 users at a time can log in). 5. If you click the little arrow next to “Customize the size of the OS,” it displays an item called “OS Size” and the text “amount of core required by the OS.” It defaults to 0.75. It LOOKs like a percentage. Changing that percentage drastically changes the monthly cost. What is that number, and how do I know what to set it to? By the way, I’m considering using an A0 Instance, which 1 core and 0.75GB of RAM. 6. Under Connectivity, I don’t understand what the “Peak Concurrency” and “Off-Peak Concurrency” percentages are, and how they affect cost. With my user base there is no “peak” time. Anyone could access my app at any time of day, but at most times of day no one will be using the app at all. 7. Further down, I also don’t understand the “off-peak concurrency” and “peak concurrency” calculations — I entered 2 for Total Named Users and 5 for Total Usage Hours — why then is it calculating off-peak concurrency using 725 hours? And is Total Usage Hours per user, or for total users? 8. Under Managed Disks, it says I need two disks. Why not just one? One would be more than large enough for my needs. Thanks to all for any help. Read More
