Machine identity is a critical aspect of designing and
deploying a successful virtual desktop environment in the cloud. You're right
in highlighting that there's no one-size-fits-all approach, as the choice
depends on various factors. Let's explore the machine identity options in more
detail:
1. Domain-Joined
Machines (Active Directory Integration): Traditionally, on-premises Virtual
Desktops and Remote Desktop Session Hosts were domain-joined for seamless
authentication, communication, and access to shared resources. This approach
leverages the organization's Active Directory infrastructure and ensures a
consistent user experience. However, when moving to Azure, maintaining
domain-joined machines might involve complex network configurations and
connectivity challenges.
2. Azure
Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS): Azure AD DS allows you to
create a managed domain in Azure that resembles an on-premises Active
Directory. This enables domain-joining of machines without the need for
on-premises domain controllers. Azure AD DS supports authentication and user
management for Azure Virtual Desktop, making it a suitable option for full
cloud deployments.
3. Azure
AD Join (Hybrid Identity): Azure AD Join allows devices to be registered
directly with Azure AD. This approach is suitable for scenarios where complete
domain-joining might not be feasible. It provides single sign-on (SSO) to cloud
resources and integrates with services like Microsoft 365. However, it may
require careful planning to ensure seamless access to on-premises resources.
4. Non-Domain-Joined
Machines (Cloud-Only): In some cases, organizations might opt for a fully
cloud-native approach where machines are not domain-joined. Instead, they rely
on Azure AD authentication and cloud-based services for user access and
management. This can simplify deployment but might require adjustments in
application and resource access.
5. Third-Party
Identity Providers: Depending on the virtual desktop solution being used
(e.g., Citrix DaaS, Parallels), there might be options to integrate with
third-party identity providers for authentication and user management. This
allows leveraging existing identity investments and extending them to the
cloud.
Choosing the right machine identity approach requires a
thorough understanding of your organization's existing infrastructure, security
requirements, user needs, and future scalability plans. It's crucial to
consider factors such as user experience, integration with existing systems,
security, compliance, and the overall cloud strategy.
Additionally, the collaboration between IT teams,
architects, and stakeholders plays a pivotal role in making informed decisions
and avoiding pitfalls during the proof of concept and architecture phases. A
clear understanding of these machine identity options ensures a smoother
transition to a modernized Virtual Desktop infrastructure in Azure.
The following table will give you a summary of the features
which are available depending on the chosen machine identity and based on that
you should take decision:
| Identity | Hybrid Join | Conditional Access | Intune Management | MSIX Support | ADMX Customizing | Schema Extensions | Domain-Trust | PKI Support | GPO Management | Windows 365 Support | NTLM/Kerberos | SSO AVD | SSO Windows 365 |
| Azure AD DS | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes (One-Way only!) | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Azure AD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Active Directory | Yes | Yes (Hybrid) | Yes (Hybrid) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Two-Way) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Hybrid) | No (Hybrid) |
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