I'm considering the best approach for deploying 5 to 10 virtual machines to replace our aging Windows 10 VMs as we shut down our local data center. These VMs will mainly be used for basic Windows admin tasks and application testing, so the workloads aren't too heavy. I'm torn between using Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Azure Virtual Machine (AVM).
In Scenario A, I'd create a golden image and deploy 5-10 individual VMs using Azure VMs, assigning each technician to their own machine, allowing for straightforward management of Windows Updates with Azure Update Manager.
In Scenario B, I'd set up AVD with a personal host pool and various configurations, which seems like it might add unnecessary complexity to my setup. However, I want to know if there are any compelling reasons to prefer AVD over AVM, considering our fairly static needs and minimal additional use for Azure beyond this deployment.
1 Answer
If your primary use is for basic tasks and app testing, Azure Virtual Desktop could be a good fit because it's designed for client virtualization. You can optimize costs with auto-shutdown settings, and users will benefit from a personal desktop experience. Although you’re correct that it adds some complexity, it might ultimately lead to better management in the long run. Also, using personal desktops means every user gets their own dedicated environment, which might be worth considering. Just keep an eye on the setup process—it’s definitely a bit more involved.
That's true, but keep in mind the static nature of your team. If you're only using a couple of VMs and not likely to scale, the overhead might outweigh the benefits. Personally, I'd lean toward straight-up VMs to keep things simpler.