Enhanced host pool management for Azure Virtual Desktop is now generally available

We’re excited to announce the general availability of enhanced host pool management for Azure Virtual Desktop. Enhanced host pool management includes:

• Session host configuration and update
• Dynamic autoscale
• Ephemeral OS disks

These features make it easier than ever to manage secure, reliable, and efficient virtual environments while saving time and achieving cost-effective scalability.

Session host configuration and update

Traditionally, managing secure and consistent host pools at scale has required custom automation, scripting, or other tools that can increase operational overhead. Session host configuration helps administrators reduce that overhead by creating a single configuration that defines key parameters for all session hosts within the host pool.

To update a session host, administrators can simply modify the configuration and schedule or start an update to automatically propagate the changes throughout the host pool.

Session host configuration and update also improves reliability throughout the management experience. Built-in parameter validation helps catch errors early when admins are creating or modifying the configuration, while test virtual machines (VMs) identify deployment issues before changes are rolled out to the entire host pool.

Ephemeral OS disks

Ephemeral OS disks store the operating system on the VM’s local storage instead of remote Azure Storage, reducing network latency and improving disk performance.

Because the disk is local and non-persistent, VMs with ephemeral OS disks are reimaged or deleted rather than started or deallocated. Each session host can start from, or return to, a clean and consistent state, reducing management overhead for environments that require frequent refresh cycles.

Ephemeral OS disks are best suited for stateless workloads that prioritize speed, scalability, and rapid reimaging over long-term data retention.

Dynamic autoscale

Dynamic autoscale lets administrators create scaling plans that add, start, deallocate, or delete session host VMs based on demand. Administrators can define host pool size limits and capacity thresholds to keep resources available during peak hours and reduce costs when demand is low.

Getting started

How to create a session host configuration

To create a host pool with a session host configuration:

1. In the Azure portal, open your Azure Virtual Desktop Host Pools and create a host pool.
2. Under Host pool details, change the host pool type to pooled.
3. Under Create Session Host Configuration, select yes.

How to update with session host update

To update session hosts in a host pool, the host pool must have a session host configuration.

To update a host pool:

1. Open the host pool in the Azure portal and select Manage in the navigation menu.
2. Select Manage session host update and select new update under the dropdown.
3. Once the form is completed, select Review + Update to initiate an update.

How to configure a session host with an Ephemeral OS disk

Ephemeral OS disks require host pools that use a session host configuration.

To configure a session host with an Ephemeral OS disk:

1. In the Azure portal, create a host pool and configure it with a session host configuration.
2. On the Session host tab:
   1. Select an image.
   2. Choose a VM size that has enough local disk space (either cache or temporary storage) to support your OS image. To find which VM sizes are compatible with your selected image, refer to the PowerShell script mentioned in the FAQ under the question: “Will all VM sizes be supported for ephemeral OS disks?”
   3. Check the Ephemeral OS disk box
   4. Select disk placement based on your VM type:
      1. OS cache
      2. Temp disk

How to create and configure a scaling plan

Dynamic autoscaling requires host pools that use a session host configuration.

To create and configure a scaling plan:

1. In the Azure portal open your Scaling plans and select create.
2. In Basics, select Dynamic autoscaling
3. In the Host pool assignments tab, select the host pools to enable autoscaling for.

If you already have a scaling plan:

1. To enable autoscaling on a host pool, go to the Host pool.
2. Under Settings in the navigation menu, select Scaling plan.
3. Select Assign and select the scaling plan you created.
4. Once assigned, select the check box for Enable autoscale.

Next steps

Want to learn more? Click the links below.

• Read more about Session host update.
• Deploy a host pool with a session host configuration.
• Create and assign a scaling plan.
• Read more about Ephemeral OS disks.

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