Welcome to Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Local

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) for Azure Local is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that extends Microsoft’s cloud-native Azure Virtual Desktop service to on-premises data centers. It enables organizations to deploy VDI session hosts on-premises on Azure Local infrastructure. This delivers flexibility, security, cost-efficiency, and Azure-consistent management in environments that have ultra-low latency, strict data sovereignty, or regulatory compliance requirements.

Evolution

The earliest iteration of Microsoft’s desktop and application virtualization was Terminal Services, introduced in Windows NT 4.0 Server Terminal Server Edition in 1998. It allowed multiple users to log into a single Windows Server and share its resources, including applications and the desktop environment, from remote clients.

With Windows Server 2008, Microsoft expanded Terminal Services and rebranded it as Remote Desktop Services (RDS). The new platform added role-based capabilities such as RemoteApp, full desktop virtualization (VDI), Web Access, and Gateway, transforming it from a simple multi-user session service into a comprehensive virtualization solution.

Building on Remote Desktop Services (RDS), Microsoft introduced Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) in 2019 as the first Azure-native desktop and app virtualization service. Designed from the ground up for the cloud, WVD eliminated upfront hardware investments by leveraging Azure’s mature infrastructure, adopted a pay-as-you-go model, and integrated natively with Microsoft 365 applications. It delivered simplified management, true multi-session Windows 10 and 11 Enterprise capabilities, enhanced security, greater scalability, and compelling cloud economics.

In 2021, Microsoft rebranded Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). The company expanded the service with deeper Azure integration, Azure AD (now Entra ID) joint support, improved Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) for multi-session hosts, enhanced onboarding experiences, and stronger positioning as a flexible cloud VDI platform for hybrid workplaces.

AVD became the ideal cloud VDI solution for its scalable multi-session capabilities on Azure, support for Windows 10 and Windows 11 Enterprise licensing, and cloud cost-efficiency. However, many organizations still needed an on-premises solution to meet strict data sovereignty, low latency, and regulatory requirements.

In 2024, Microsoft introduced AVD for Azure Stack HCI (now Azure Local) to help organizations address those needs. By natively integrating AVD with Azure Local, organizations can now run session hosts on-premises while managing them through the familiar Azure portal and Azure Arc. Users can access desktops and applications hosts in either Azure or on-premises (through Azure Local) through the same Windows app. The same cloud control plane can also manage AVD session hosts running in Azure.

Top Features of AVD for Azure Local

On-Premises VDI Platform: Deploy AVD session hosts on on-premises Azure Local infrastructure while managing the control plane (host pools, workspaces, etc.) from the Azure portal and Azure Arc. Run AVD alongside other Azure Local workloads such as Azure Kubernetes Service, Foundry Local. Also integrates with Azure services including Azure Monitor, Azure Backup, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Azure Policy.
Low Latency Performance: Leverage RDP Shortpath for direct, low-latency VDI performance. It’s ideal for deployments where low latency is an absolute must.
Data Sovereignty: Meets strict locality, regulatory, or government agency requirements.
Unified Management: Leverage Azure Arc-enabled single pane-of-glass management via the Azure portal. Seamlessly provision, monitor, update, secure, and govern session hosts across on-premises, cloud, edge, and sovereign environments.
Multi-Session Efficiency: Take advantage of Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session for higher user density and lower costs-per-user utilizing pre-existing Windows licensing.
Better Access to Legacy Resources: Improve performance and connectivity to on-premises apps and data by keeping desktops in the same location.
Simplified Operations: Deploy fully patched Azure Marketplace VM images with just a few clicks.
Security and Identity: Benefit from Microsoft Entra ID, MFA, Conditional Access, and hybrid identity options in VDI environments.
Enhanced AI Workloads: Strong support for AI and GPU-accelerated VDI workloads.

Why Choose AVD for Azure Local

Part of a Broader Unified Hybrid Cloud and VDI Strategy from Microsoft: AVD for Azure Local delivers a truly native hybrid cloud VDI solution. Purpose-built to integrate seamlessly with both on-premises Azure Local and Azure cloud, it provides consistent experiences across environments as part of Microsoft’s broader hybrid cloud strategy. The full Azure stack unifies virtualization, VDI, Kubernetes, and Azure services under a single management pane via the Azure portal and Azure Arc.
A Strong Alternative to Omnissa Horizon and Citrix DaaS: Organizations are increasingly frustrated with the direction of Horizon and Citrix DaaS—rising costs, reduced package flexibility, and changing product strategies. Customers report major pricing swings and fewer options than before. Their multi‑cloud architectures add layers of complexity and integration challenges that can impact reliability and performance. Horizon users also face the reality that the product no longer lives under one corporate umbrella, creating uncertainty around cohesion and long‑term support. With Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Local, customers gain a modern VDI platform that’s part of a unified Microsoft ecosystem.
Reduce Total VDI Cost with Existing Licensing and Higher User Density: Citrix DaaS customers can significantly lower high per-user licensing costs by switching to AVD for Azure Local and using their existing Microsoft 365 or Windows licenses. They can achieve higher user density with Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session, while also reducing administrative overhead through unified Azure portal and Azure Arc management.

Why Choose AVD for Azure Local from DataON

AVD for Azure Local solutions from DataON deliver the fastest time-to-value for production deployments through our Microsoft expertise, premium Azure Local experience, Premier solutions for Azure Local, and white glove service & support.

DataON focuses exclusively on Microsoft technologies, bringing deep expertise in Azure Local and AVD for Azure Local deployments. We are recognized in the industry for our white-glove service and support, helping customers deploy quickly and maintain reliable operations long-term.

For your AVD for Azure Local deployment, we’ll help you with:

Host Pool & Workspace Deployment: Rapid deployment of host pools, application groups, and workspaces.
Session Host Provisioning: Provisioning and configuration of session hosts directly on your DataON Azure Local clusters.
Comprehensive Training & Enablement: Hands-on training for your team on managing and operating AVD for Azure Local.

DataON Premier Solutions+ for Azure Local have the highest level of validation from Microsoft. They go beyond the standard Microsoft Premier tier requirements by including deployment, integration, and training for a premium Azure Local and AVD for Azure Local experience.