Configure New Host Pools and Assign Users

Part 1: Configure New AVD Host Pools

When configuring new AVD host pools, consider the following notes:

• To create a host pool, follow the guidelines in Create a Host Pool.

• If you imported an image from NFA in the previous section, select that image when creating the new host pool.

• Add one or two users to the host pool to be able to verify the host pool has been created properly.

• Once the host pool is created, set the Auto-scale settings to mirror the settings used in NFA.

  Note: There are more options available in Nerdio Manager than there were in NFA.

For more information about host pools in Nerdio Manager, see Overview of Host Pools.

Video Guide

(Optional) Import Personal Desktops

Follow these guidelines for personal desktops:

• Create a host pool for each individual desktop.

• When creating a host pool, select the Single-user desktop (personal) option.

  

• You can skip the Auto-scale option if not used by this desktop.

• After the host pool is created, go to the Servers tab and migrate the desktop. Once you select the Migrate button, you can select the host pool you created.

  Note:

  • During this migration, the user must be signed out of the desktop.

  • Repeat these steps for all your personal desktops.

• Once completed, have the users refresh the feed in the Microsoft remote desktop client.

Once your users sign in, and everything works as expected, you can proceed to the Post NFA Migration Cleanup task.

Part 2: Enable AD User Management in Nerdio Manager for MSP

Nerdio Manager allows you to create a connection between and Active Directory that can be leveraged to control Active Directory.

The installation process has the following workflow:

1. Create an AD User Management Connection

2. Install the Hybrid Connection Manager (HCM)

3. Configure the Hybrid Connection's Credentials

For more details about user management in Nerdio Manager, see Overview of Users.

Prerequisites

On the DC01 Domain Controller:

• Active Directory Web Services must be running.

• Access to Azure over a port must be specified during the connection setup.

  • For further hardening, see this information for Service Bus Endpoints: Azure App Service Hybrid Connections - Troubleshooting

Active Directory User Account

• Unique user account for Nerdio Manager.

• Minimum Active Directory Permissions required:

  • Delegate access

    • Create, delete, and manage user accounts

    • Reset user passwords and force a password change at next logon

    • Read all user information

    • Modify the membership of a group

Pricing

There is no additional Nerdio cost to utilize AD User Management, but Service Bus Relay Hybrid Connections do have an additional Azure cost for each connection and limits depending on which App Services Plan your installation utilizes. This cost is associated with the subscription that utilizes and does not bill to the end customer accounts. Each domain controller connected to counts as a single connection. The following pricing was accurate at the time of publication, but please see this service bus price page for updated information: Service Bus pricing.

Create an AD User Management Connection

You must create a connection between and the host where the hybrid connection manager is installed.

To create an AD User Management connection:

1. In Nerdio Manager, at the MSP level, navigate to Settings > AD User Management.

2. Select Add.

3. Enter the following information:

   

   • Account: From the drop-down list, select the account that uses this connection.

   • Hostname: Type the fully qualified domain name for the domain controller where the hybrid connection manager will be installed.

     Note: The domain controller must have internet access.

   • Port: Type the destination port for the hybrid connection.

     Note: It is recommended that you use the default port 9389.

   • Service Bus: From the drop-down list, select an existing service bus relay or create a new one.

4. Once you have entered the desired information, select OK.

Install the Hybrid Connection Manager (HCM)

The Hybrid Connections feature requires a relay agent in the network that hosts your Hybrid Connection endpoint. That relay agent is called the Hybrid Connection Manager.

You can download the Hybrid Connection Manager's installation msi here.

To install the Hybrid Connection Manager:

1. In Nerdio Manager, at the MSP level, navigate to Settings > AD User Management.

2. Locate the AD User Management connection you wish to work with and select continue configuration.

   

3. Make a note of the connection information, which is needed in the next step. In addition, use the copy icon to copy the Gateway Connection String to the clipboard.

4. See this Microsoft article for full details about how to install HCM. Hybrid Connection Manager

   Note: Be sure to select Enter Manually and copy in the connection information.

   

Configure the Hybrid Connection's Credentials

You must configure the hybrid connection's credentials.

To configure the hybrid connection's credentials:

1. At the Account level, navigate to Settings > Integrations.

2. In the AD User Management Connection tile, select edit.

   

3. In the Active Directory Credentials tab, enter the following information:

   

   • Username: Type the username.

   • Password: Type the password.

4. Once you have entered all the desired information, select Next.

5. In the Organizational Unit Setup tab, enter the following information:

   

   • Organizational Unit: From the list, select the Organizational Unit.

6. Once you have entered all the desired information, select Next.

7. In the Default Organizational Units tab, enter the following information:

   

   • Users: From the drop-down list, select the OU that is the default when new users are created.

   • Groups: From the drop-down list, select the OU that is the default when new groups are created.

8. Once you have entered all the desired information, select Save & close.

   Nerdio Manager attempts to make the connection. You can see the task's status in Integrations Tasks.

   Note: You can see the AD User Management Connection status on the list of Accounts.

   

Manage an AD User Management Connection

Nerdio Manager allows you to view and test an existing AD User Management connection.

To manage an AD User Management connection:

1. At the Account level, navigate to Settings > AD User Management.

2. Optionally, hover over the AD User Management connection to see its connection details.

   

3. Optionally, select test to test the connection.

   Note: You can view the test results in Integrations Tasks.

   

Disconnect an AD User Management Connection

Nerdio Manager allows you to disconnect an existing AD User Management connection.

To disconnect an AD User Management connection:

1. In Nerdio Manager, at the MSP level, navigate to Settings > AD User Management.

2. Locate the AD User Management connection you wish to disconnect and select Disconnect.

3. When prompted, confirm you wish to disconnect.

Part 3: Add Users to New Host Pools

Now that the new Nerdio Manager host pool is ready, you can assign users and/or groups to that host pool. For details, see Overview of Users.

Video Guide

Part 4 (Optional): Test Prior to Cutover

This is a great opportunity to poll some users and have them test the new environment. A user can be assigned to both the NFA classic desktop and the new Nerdio Manager ARM desktop at the same time, allowing for parallel testing.