Plan storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data

Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop) is a powerful cloud-based desktop and application virtualization service that allows organizations to securely access and manage Windows desktops and applications from anywhere on any device. As an administrator responsible for configuring and operating Azure Virtual Desktop, it is crucial to plan and optimize storage for user data to ensure an efficient and reliable user experience. In this article, we will explore various storage options and best practices for managing user data in Azure Virtual Desktop.

1. Azure Files

Azure Files is a fully managed, cloud-based file sharing service that can be used as a central storage location for user data in Azure Virtual Desktop. By leveraging Azure Files, you can provide a consistent file share experience across multiple Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts. You can create an Azure Files share and mount it as a network drive on session hosts. This allows users to access and store their data in a centralized location, ensuring data availability and persistence.

To set up Azure Files for Azure Virtual Desktop, you can follow these steps:

• Create an Azure Files storage account and share.
• Configure the Azure Files share as a network drive on session hosts.
• Grant appropriate permissions to users for accessing the Azure Files share.

2. FSLogix Profile Container

FSLogix Profile Container is a user profile management solution that simplifies user profile management and improves logon times in Azure Virtual Desktop. It stores user profiles in a VHD or VHDX file container located on an Azure Storage account. FSLogix Profile Container supports both traditional per-user profiles and Microsoft 365 profiles, allowing users to roam their settings and data across multiple Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts.

To implement FSLogix Profile Container, you can follow these steps:

• Create an Azure Storage account to store the profile containers.
• Configure Azure Virtual Desktop to use FSLogix by installing and configuring the FSLogix agent on session hosts.
• Configure FSLogix Group Policy settings to specify the location of the profile containers.

3. Azure Managed Disks

Azure Managed Disks provide scalable, reliable, and high-performance storage for Azure Virtual Machines, including session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop. You can use Azure Managed Disks to store user data in a virtual hard disk format (VHD or VHDX) attached to session hosts. With Azure Managed Disks, you can choose different disk types, such as Standard HDD, Standard SSD, and Premium SSD, based on your performance and cost requirements.

To utilize Azure Managed Disks for user data storage, you can follow these steps:

• Create an Azure Managed Disk or a collection of disks based on your storage requirements.
• Attach the disks to session hosts using Azure PowerShell or Azure portal.
• Format and mount the disks as data drives on session hosts to store user data.

4. Third-Party Storage Solutions

Azure Virtual Desktop also supports integration with third-party storage solutions, such as NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP and Windows Virtual Desktop partner solutions. These solutions provide advanced storage features, such as data deduplication, compression, and encryption, which can enhance the performance, security, and manageability of user data storage in Azure Virtual Desktop.

To implement third-party storage solutions for user data in Azure Virtual Desktop, you can refer to the respective documentation and guidelines provided by the solution vendors. These solutions often have specific deployment and configuration steps tailored to their offerings.

In conclusion, planning and managing storage for user data in Azure Virtual Desktop is a critical aspect of ensuring a seamless user experience. By utilizing Azure Files, FSLogix Profile Container, Azure Managed Disks, or third-party storage solutions, you can provide reliable and scalable storage options for user data in Azure Virtual Desktop. Remember to assess your storage requirements, performance needs, and security considerations when choosing the appropriate storage solution.