When configuring and operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, one key aspect to focus on is device redirection. Redirection allows you to use local equipment and resources in your remote Virtual Desktop session. This post will guide you through the process of configuring the device redirection for your Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure.

Device redirection allows users to access devices connected to their local client during their remote Azure Virtual Desktop session. This includes a variety of device types, such as printers, clipboard, drives, audio devices, USB devices, and more.

Table of Contents

Types of Device Redirection

Here are some of the most commonly used types of device redirection available in Azure Virtual Desktop:

  1. Drive Redirection: By enabling drive redirection, local disk drives are accessible in the remote session. Users can open files and perform file operations from within the remote session just as if they were using their local machine.
  2. Printer Redirection: This permits local printers to be used in the Azure Virtual Desktop environment. The print commands from the remote session are redirected to the local printer.
  3. Clipboard Redirection: With clipboard redirection, users can copy and paste data between their local machine and Azure Virtual Desktop session.
  4. USB Redirection: USB redirection makes it possible to use USB devices connected to the local machine in the remote session.
  5. Audio and Video Redirection: Audio and video redirection let the users use their local microphone and camera in the Azure Virtual Desktop session.
  6. Smart Card Redirection: This helps to use smart cards for authentication during Azure Virtual Desktop session.

How to Configure Device Redirection

Device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop is configured using Group Policy settings and Remote Desktop client settings.

Here is a step-by-step process to demonstrate how you can configure the device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop:

Step 1: You need to open the Group Policy Management console (GPMC.msc).

Step 2: Navigate to the path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Device and Resource Redirection

Step 3: You will find a list of settings related to device redirection. Double-click on the setting you want to configure.

Step 4: In the new window, you can select the option “Enabled” to enable redirection for the selected device or “Disabled” to disable it. Then, click “OK”.

Note: While device redirection provides a feature-rich user experience, it also has implications for bandwidth consumption and security. Therefore, these implications should be kept in mind while configuring device redirection.

Verifying Device Redirection

To verify that device redirection has been configured correctly, you can check the “Local Resources” tab in the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box. Here, you can verify and manage the local devices and resources that can be redirected to the Azure Virtual Desktop session.

In conclusion, device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop is an important feature that enhances user experience by enabling access to local devices and resources during remote sessions. Proper configuration and management of device redirection is key to leveraging the full capabilities of Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.

Practice Test

True or False: Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop supports the redirection of external USB devices.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop supports the redirection of USB devices with some limitations, allowing users to use them in the virtual environment.

Azure Virtual Desktop supports which of the following types of redirection?

  • A) Printer redirection
  • B) Clipboard redirection
  • C) Biometric redirection
  • D) Audio and video redirection

Answer: A) Printer redirection, B) Clipboard redirection, D) Audio and video redirection

Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop supports printer, clipboard, and audio/video redirection, but does not support biometric redirection presently.

True or False: All types of client devices support all types of redirections in Azure Virtual Desktop.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Not all types of redirections are supported on all client devices. The support depends on the capabilities of both the local client and the remote application or desktop.

On Azure Virtual Desktop, which Windows policy manages the redirection of USB devices?

  • A) Redirection of specific devices
  • B) Allow time zone redirection
  • C) Configure removable device redirection
  • D) Prevent redirection of specific devices

Answer: C) Configure removable device redirection

Explanation: The “Configure removable device redirection” policy allows or inhibits redirection of removable devices to the remote session.

True or False: Redirection settings can be configured on the client side only.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Redirection settings can be configured on both the client side and the server side, providing flexibility in managing device redirection.

Which of these types of redirection is not supported by the Azure WVD client?

  • A) Disk Redirection
  • B) Printer Redirection
  • C) Smart Card Redirection
  • D) Port Redirection

Answer: D) Port Redirection

Explanation: Azure WVD client supports Disk Redirection, Printer Redirection, and Smart Card Redirection but Port Redirection is not supported.

True or False: Redirection is allowed only for remote apps.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Redirection is allowed for both remote apps and desktops in Azure Virtual Desktop.

Can you apply Group Policy to control settings for device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • A) Yes
  • B) No

Answer: A) Yes

Explanation: Group Policy can be used to control redirection settings for devices, providing granular control over device access in Azure Virtual Desktop.

True or False: In Azure Virtual Desktop, Biometric redirection like fingerprint readers is supported only on a few specific device models.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Currently, Azure Virtual Desktop does not support any biometric redirection, regardless of device model.

True or False: Azure Virtual Desktop supports the redirection of Point of Service (POS) devices.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop does support the redirection of Point of Service (POS) devices, allowing these devices to be used within the virtual desktop environment.

Which server side group policy you need to configure for Clipboard redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • A) Enable clipboard rights
  • B) Do not allow clipboard redirection
  • C) Enable clipboard write
  • D) Do not allow clipboard write

Answer: B) Do not allow clipboard redirection

Explanation: The “Do not allow clipboard redirection” group policy is used to control clipboard redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop.

True or False: Azure Virtual Desktop’s Remote Desktop client supports audio input and output redirection.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Remote Desktop client of Azure Virtual Desktop supports both audio input and output redirection, providing a comprehensive audio experience.

Interview Questions

What is device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop refers to the ability to use a device’s local resources during a remote session. This includes features such as clipboard, printer, and storage redirection.

What are the necessary steps needed to enable clipboard redirection?

To enable clipboard redirection, navigate to the RDP settings in the Azure portal, select the device and resource redirection settings, and enable the ‘Clipboard’ redirection.

Is it possible to limit the size of redirected drives in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Yes, it is possible to limit the size of redirected drives in Azure Virtual Desktop. This is done via Group Policies under the “Limit disk space allowed for redirected disks” policy.

How can you redirect a printer in Azure Virtual Desktop?

To redirect a printer, navigate to the RDP settings in the Azure portal, select the device and resource redirection settings, and enable the ‘Printers’ redirection.

What functionality does USB redirection provide within Azure Virtual Desktop?

USB redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop allows users to interact with local USB devices, such as storage devices or smart cards, during a remote session.

Can users choose which devices to redirect in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Yes, users have the option to choose which devices to redirect during a remote session. This can be configured in the Remote Desktop settings.

What can restrict device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop can be restricted due to various reasons including Group Policy settings, RDP client settings, or due to security settings at the corporate level.

What happens when drive redirection is disabled in Azure Virtual Desktop?

When drive redirection is disabled, the remote session would not have access to the local or network drives of the user’s local machine.

What is the role of the Remote Desktop client in device redirection?

The Remote Desktop client is necessary for establishing the remote session and it provides the interface for selecting the devices and resources that should be redirected during the session.

How can you restrict certain devices from being redirected?

Device redirection can be restricted using Group Policy settings. Administrators can decide which devices can be redirected in a remote session.

Which policy needs to be configured to limit the size of a redirected clipboard?

The policy to be configured for limiting the size of a redirected clipboard is the “Do not allow clipboard redirection” policy.

Can device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop be configured at the user level?

Yes, device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop can be configured at the user level.

Which specific devices can be redirected in Azure Virtual Desktop?

There are various devices that can be redirected in Azure Virtual Desktop including Printers, storage devices, and smart cards.

What are the benefits of device redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Device redirection allows users to interact with local resources such as printers, USB devices and local drives during a remote session, which can improve productivity and ease of use.

What is drive redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Drive redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop allows users to access the contents of their local drives during a remote session.

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