Creating and configuring application groups is a key aspect of the AZ-140 exam, Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop. Through understanding the process of creating and configuring application groups, you will be better equipped to manage and operate applications in the Azure Virtual Desktop environment.

Application groups are a fundamental part of the virtualization process in Azure Virtual Desktop. When you create an application group, you’re creating a publishing entity that groups together different applications. You can then assign these to users, increasing efficiency and improving the management process.

There are two types of application groups: RemoteApp and Desktop.

  • RemoteApp: This type of application group allows you to publish one or more applications on Azure Virtual Desktop. This is ideal for making specific applications accessible to users without giving complete machine access.
  • Desktop: This application group type allows you to publish a full desktop experience to users. This is ideal when users require full access to a set of applications or a complete desktop setup.

Let’s now look at the steps on how to create these application groups.

Table of Contents

How to Create a RemoteApp Application Group

To create a new RemoteApp application group follow the steps below:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
  2. Go to Azure Virtual Desktop and select “Application groups”.
  3. Click “+ Add” to create a new application group.
  4. Fill in the Application group type as “RemoteApp,” select the appropriate workspace, and select your Host pool.
  5. Complete the required configuration details and add your desired applications.
  6. Save your changes.

With these steps, you’ve created a RemoteApp application group and applications are now visible to users within the workspace.

How to Create a Desktop Application Group

To create a new Desktop application group, follow a similar process as the RemoteApp, with a few exceptions:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
  2. Go to Azure Virtual Desktop and select “Application groups”.
  3. Click “+ Add” to create a new application group.
  4. Fill in the Application group type as “Desktop,” select the appropriate workspace, and select your Host pool.
  5. Complete the required configuration details.
  6. Save your changes.

Now, you’ve created a Desktop application group, and users can access their desktops within the workspace.

It’s essential to remember that you can only assign one default Desktop application group per host pool. This will be the application group users are connected to when they don’t specify one during the session.

Configuring an Application Group

To configure an application group:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
  2. Navigate to the Azure Virtual Desktop and click on the Application group which you want to configure.
  3. Here you can adjust the settings like adding/removing applications, assign/unassigned users or user groups, and modify the properties of the application group.

In the application group, you can assign users or user groups to allow them to access the applications. It’s also possible to unassigned users from the application group.

By becoming familiar with creating and configuring application groups in Azure Virtual Desktop, you’ll be better prepared for the AZ-140 exam and to manage and operate the Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure.

Practice Test

True or False: An application group in Azure Virtual Desktop extends the functionality of host pools to manage the user experience.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Application groups in Azure Virtual Desktop contain the applications that you share to users of a host pool.

What is the primary role of an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • A) Network Configuration
  • B) UI Customization
  • C) Managing User Applications
  • D) Storage Authorization

Answer: C) Managing User Applications

Explanation: The main role of an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop is to manage user applications. It determines the specific apps that are accessible to users.

True or False: You can assign both users and user groups to an application group in Azure.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: You can assign both users and user groups to an application group in Azure. However, you cannot assign one application group to multiple host pools.

When you create an application group, you need to specify a value in the ‘Host pool’ property, what does this value signify?

  • A) The capacity of the host pool
  • B) The host pool to which the application group will be associated
  • C) The name of the host pool
  • D) The cost of the host pool

Answer: B) The host pool to which the application group will be associated

Explanation: The ‘Host pool’ property’s value specifies the host pool that will supply the application group’s capacity.

Which kind of application groups can be assigned to a user?

  • A) Remote application group only
  • B) Remote desktop group only
  • C) Both remote application group and remote desktop group
  • D) Neither of them

Answer: C) Both remote application group and remote desktop group

Explanation: Users can be assigned to either (or both) a remote application group and a remote desktop group.

Which type of users cannot be added to an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • A) Admin Users
  • B) Guest Users
  • C) System Users
  • D) All of the above

Answer: C) System Users

Explanation: System Users cannot be added to an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop.

True or False: It’s possible to create multiple application groups within a single host pool in Azure Virtual Desktop.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: You can create more than one application group within a single host pool to effectively manage and segregate applications.

True or False: You can assign a single application group to multiple host pools in Azure Virtual Desktop.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: You cannot assign one application group to multiple host pools. However, you can assign multiple application groups to a single host pool.

What kind of Published name does a desktop application group have by default in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • A) “Desktop”
  • B) Customizable
  • C) It doesn’t have a default name
  • D) “AppGroup”

Answer: A) “Desktop”

Explanation: By default, a desktop application group has the Published name “Desktop”.

True or False: You can use PowerShell script to automate the process of creating and configuring an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: PowerShell scripting is a powerful tool which you can use to automate many aspects of Azure management, including application group creation and configuration.

Interview Questions

How can you create an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

You can create an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop by selecting the “Application Group” in Azure portal, then click “Add” and fill in necessary details such as resource group, name, and application source type.

What are the two types of Application Groups in Azure Virtual Desktop?

The two types of application groups in Azure Virtual Desktop are RemoteApp and Desktop.

What is the RemoteApp Application group type in Azure Virtual Desktop?

The RemoteApp application group type in Azure Virtual Desktop allows you to manage and assign remote applications individually.

What do you mean by a Desktop Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

A Desktop application group in Azure Virtual Desktop is a type of application group that, when assigned to a user, allows the user to launch a full desktop session in a host pool.

Can you delete an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Yes, you can delete an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop. However, you must first remove all users and application associations before deletion.

How can you add an application to an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

You can add applications to an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop by selecting the Application Group, then selecting Applications > Add, and providing the necessary application details and path.

Can you assign a user to multiple Application Groups in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Yes, a user can be assigned to multiple Application Groups in Azure Virtual Desktop.

How do you assign an application group to a user or a user group?

Assigning an application group to a user or user group in Azure Virtual Desktop involves accessing the application group in question, selecting Assignments > Add, and then selecting the user or user group to assign.

What type of role do you need for managing application groups?

You need the “Contributor” role for managing application groups in Azure Virtual Desktop.

How can you change priority assignment for an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop?

On Azure portal, navigate to Azure Virtual Desktop – Application groups. Action – Change priority assignment. Add the priority number you recommend.

Can an application in an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop be always available?

By default, an application in an Application Group in Azure Virtual Desktop is not always available. A user can only launch it after being assigned to the Application Group.

Can you move an Application Group to a different Host Pool in Azure Virtual Desktop?

No, once an Application Group is created in a Host Pool, it cannot be moved to another one.

How can you change the default option of the Application Group type from Desktop to RemoteApp in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Currently, it’s not possible to change the Application Group type from Desktop to RemoteApp once it’s created. You need to create a new Application Group.

Are there any costs related to Application Groups in Azure Virtual Desktop?

There are no additional costs for creating and using Application Groups in Azure Virtual Desktop. You only pay for the underlying Azure resources consumed.

Is an application group in Azure Virtual Desktop automatically load-balanced?

Yes, application groups in Azure Virtual Desktop are automatically load-balanced across all session hosts in the host pool to where they are associated.

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