Configure Office Containers

Introduction:

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a scalable cloud-based service that allows organizations to deploy and manage virtual desktops and applications. With AVD, users can securely access their desktop environment and applications from anywhere, using any device. One of the key benefits of AVD is the ability to configure office containers, which provide a streamlined and efficient way to deliver Microsoft Office applications to users.

In this article, we will explore how to configure office containers for Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, focusing on the steps and best practices to ensure a smooth deployment.

Prerequisites:

Before we start configuring office containers, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. An active Microsoft Azure subscription.
2. Azure Virtual Desktop deployment.
3. Office 365 ProPlus license.
4. PowerShell modules: AzureAD, AzureRM, and MSOnline.

Configure Office Containers:

Step 1: Set up Office Container Shared Storage

To set up office container shared storage, follow these steps:

1. Create a storage account in Azure: Use the Azure portal or PowerShell commands to create a storage account. Ensure that the storage account is capable of supporting Azure Files.
2. Create an Azure file share: Once the storage account is created, create an Azure file share within it. This file share will be used as the shared storage for office containers.
3. Configure access control: Set the appropriate access control settings on the storage account and file share to ensure that only authorized users have access.

Step 2: Configure the Office Deployment Configuration XML file

Next, we need to configure the Office Deployment Configuration XML file. This file defines the installation and update settings for Office containers. Follow these steps:

1. Download the Office Deployment Tool from the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Create an Office Deployment Configuration XML file: Open a text editor and create an XML file. Specify the Office product, version, and source path in the XML file. You can also include additional settings like language, update channel, and update settings.
3. Save the XML file: Save the XML file with a meaningful name (e.g., config.xml) and place it in a location accessible to the Azure Virtual Desktop environment.

Step 3: Create an AVD host pool and session hosts

To create an AVD host pool and session hosts, follow these steps:

1. Use the Azure portal to create a new host pool.
2. Configure the host pool settings: Specify the desired settings such as pool name, virtual machine configuration, VM size, and scaling options.
3. Join session hosts to the host pool: Follow the instructions to join the session hosts to the newly created host pool.

Step 4: Configure Office Container settings for the host pool

To configure Office Container settings for the host pool, follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell with administrative privileges.
2. Install the AzureAD and AzureRM PowerShell modules if not already installed.
3. Connect to the Azure AD tenant: Use the Set-RdsVdiOfficeContainerStorage cmdlet to configure the office container storage. Specify the storage account and file share details.
4. Configure the Office Deployment Configuration XML file: Use the Set-RdsVdiOfficeDeploymentConfig cmdlet to set the Office Deployment Configuration XML file. Specify the path of the XML file created in Step 2.

Step 5: Assign users to the AVD host pool

Finally, we need to assign users to the AVD host pool. Follow these steps:

1. Use the Azure portal to navigate to the host pool settings.
2. Configure user assignments: Under the User assignments tab, specify the users or groups that should have access to the host pool.
3. Save the settings: Save the user assignments settings.

Conclusion:

Configuring office containers for Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop offers a convenient way to deliver Microsoft Office applications to users. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up and configure office containers for your AVD environment. Remember to ensure that you have the necessary prerequisites in place and follow best practices for security and access control.

Using the power of Azure Virtual Desktop and office containers, you can provide a seamless and efficient user experience, allowing users to access their favorite Office applications from anywhere, on any device. Happy configuring!