Your choice of license has inherent implications on your ability to configure and operate AVD efficiently, which plays a key role in successfully passing the Microsoft Azure certification exam AZ-140. It is important to pick a model that correlates with your organization’s needs or the given set of requirements.
Licensing Models for Azure Virtual Desktop
There are two main licensing models: Azure Active Directory (AAD) based licensing and Azure Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) based licensing.
1. Azure Active Directory (AAD) Licensing:
This model is explicitly based on per-user licenses. It requires an Azure AD Premium subscription to enable certain features within Azure Virtual Desktop.
For example, if the requirements include the use of dynamic group memberships, conditional access, or other advanced administration functionalities, AAD licensing is necessary. It comes in two tiers: P1 and P2; the tier you choose will depend on your requirements.
Below is a quick comparison between AAD P1 and P2 licenses:
Licensing Model | Main Features |
---|---|
Azure AD P1 | It provides features such as user and group management, group-based application access, self-service password reset, etc. |
Azure AD P2 | It provides all the features of P1 along with additional features such as Identity Protection and Identity governance. |
2. Azure Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) Licensing:
VDA licensing is based on devices. It’s essential when users need to access their virtual desktops from devices that aren’t covered under a Primary User license. For example, if a user needs access from a home computer, a VDA license would be required.
The following types of licenses include AVD entitlement:
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5
- Microsoft 365 A3/A5 Student Use Benefits
- Microsoft 365 F3
- Office 365 F3
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
- Windows 10 Education A3/A5
- Windows 10 VDA per user
It’s important to note that only those licenses that incorporate Azure Virtual Desktop rights are suitable.
Below is a comparison of the most common Microsoft licenses that include AVD entitlement:
Licensing Model | Includes AVD Rights | Key Features |
---|---|---|
Microsoft 365 E3/E5 | Yes | Comprehensive productivity apps, intelligent cloud services, advanced security. |
Microsoft 365 A3/A5 Student Use Benefits | Yes | Online services, offline access to apps. Ideal for education sector |
Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Yes | SMB focused, includes Microsoft Intune and Azure Information Protection. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses. |
When preparing for the AZ-140 exam, understanding the licensing requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop is of utmost importance. The correct model will differ based on your or your organization’s requirements. The outlined details not only aid in the decision-making process but also crucial for efficient configuration and operation of AVD.
Practice Test
True/False: Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop is licensed separately from Azure.
- True.
Correct Answer: True.
Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop entitlement is a part of Microsoft 365 and Windows 10 Enterprise licenses. Azure usage fees still apply.
Client Access License (CAL) is used to access Azure Virtual Desktop.
- False.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop uses a subscription licensing model based on Microsoft 365 and Windows
If a company requires the flexibility and scalability available from the Azure cloud, which licensing model should they use?
- A. Subscription-based
- B. Perpetual-based
- C. Usage-based
- D. Volume licensing
Answer: A. Subscription-based
Explanation: A subscription-based model is best suited if a company needs the flexibility and scalability available from the Azure cloud.
True/False: Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Azure Virtual Desktop Access rights.
- True.
Answer: True.
Explanation: Starting from January 2021, Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Azure Virtual Desktop Access rights.
The Azure Virtual Desktop access rights are not included in which of the following licenses?
- A. Windows 10 Enterprice E5
- B. Microsoft 365 E3
- C. Microsoft 365 F3
- D. Microsoft 365 E5
Answer: C. Microsoft 365 F
Explanation: Microsoft 365 F3 does not include Azure Virtual Desktop access rights.
Usage-based licensing for Azure Virtual Desktop allows what kind of scalability?
- A. Vertical
- B. Horizontal
- C. Consistent
- D. None of the above
Answer: B. Horizontal
Explanation: With usage-based licensing, businesses can scale up or down based on demand, offering horizontal scalability.
Microsoft 365 A3/A5 Student Use Benefits licenses include Azure Virtual Desktop access rights for student use.
- True.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Azure Virtual Desktop access rights are included in Microsoft 365 A3/A5 Student Use Benefits licenses for student use.
Usage-based pricing for Azure Virtual Desktop is often preferred for:
- A. Temporary workers
- B. Contract workers
- C. Short-term projects
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Usage-based pricing model is ideal for situations with varying usage like temporary workers, contract employees, or short-term projects.
True/False: Microsoft offers a free license for Azure Virtual Desktop for one year.
- False.
Answer: False
Explanation: There is no such offer from Microsoft for a free Azure Virtual Desktop license.
What is the primary licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop?
- A. Stand-alone Azure pricing
- B. Per-user subscription model
- C. Per-device subscription model
- D. Open-source licensing
Answer: B. Per-user subscription model
Explanation: The Azure Virtual Desktop service is licensed on a per-user basis through a subscription model.
Interview Questions
Question: Which Azure licensing model is appropriate for an organization that has existing Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Windows 10 enterprise E3/E5 licenses?
Answer: Azure Virtual Desktop is included at no additional cost for these organizations. They are eligible to use the Azure Virtual Desktop for their virtualization needs.
Question: What license is required for an organization planning to use Azure Virtual Desktop with a personal computer?
Answer: A Windows 10 Pro license with Software Assurance is necessary for a personal device to use Azure Virtual Desktop.
Question: Can an organization use Azure Virtual Desktop without a Software Assurance license?
Answer: No, using Azure Virtual Desktop requires either a Software Assurance or Windows Virtual Desktop Access license.
Question: What licensing options are available for non-profit organizations deploying Azure Virtual Desktop?
Answer: Non-profit organizations can use Microsoft 365 Business Premium licensing which includes Azure Virtual Desktop.
Question: What is minimum requirement for using Azure Virtual Desktop in a BYOL (Bring Your Own License) scenario?
Answer: For BYOL scenario, the organization must have a Windows 10 Enterprise E3, E5, or Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3, Business Premium, or Windows Virtual Desktop Access license.
Question: Which license should be acquired for an organization looking to globally deploy Azure Virtual Desktop for its remote employees?
Answer: Organizations with remote employees across the globe should consider acquiring the Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Office 365 E3/E5 license.
Question: What are the licensing requirements for a Virtual Desktop in a shared network?
Answer: The licensing requirements for a Shared Network include Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5, Windows 10 Education A3/A5, or Windows Virtual Desktop Access E3/E5 licenses.
Question: Can you use the Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft 365 Business Premium license in an educational institution?
Answer: Yes, educational institutions are eligible to use Azure Virtual Desktop with a Microsoft 365 Business Premium license.
Question: What licenses are required for deploying Azure Virtual Desktops on dedicated hosted infrastructure?
Answer: Deploying Azure Virtual Desktops require Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3, Business Premium, Windows 10 Enterprise E3, E5, or Windows Virtual Desktop Access E3, E5 subscription.
Question: Does the Azure Virtual Desktop service have any additional licensing costs over the Azure consumption costs?
Answer: No, there are no additional licensing costs for the use of the Azure Virtual Desktop service on top of Azure infrastructure costs.
Question: What license does a commercial customer need to access Azure Virtual Desktop?
Answer: Commercial customers need to have one of the following license – Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3/Business Premium, Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5, or Windows Virtual Desktop Access.
Question: What is the licensing requirement for an Azure Virtual Desktop running Windows 7?
Answer: If you’re running Azure Virtual Desktop powered by Windows 7, you need to have Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESUs). Also, requires one of the following licenses – Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3, or Windows 10 Enterprise E3, E5.
Question: Can an organization use Azure Virtual Desktop for multi-session Windows 10 deployment without a license?
Answer: No, using Azure Virtual Desktop for multi-session Windows 10 deployment requires a relevant Windows 10 license.
Question: What licenses are needed for an organization to use Azure Virtual Desktop for desktop virtualization?
Answer: For desktop virtualization, you need to have a Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3, Business Premium, or a Windows 10 Enterprise E3, E5 license.
Question: What license is required for deploying Azure Virtual Desktop on non-profit shared multi-session host pools?
Answer: A Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5 or Microsoft 365 E3/E5, F3, Business Premium license is required to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop on shared multi-session host pools for non-profits.