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Microsoft AVD

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) runs in the cloud and the VMs are hosted in the organization’s own Azure subscription. This allows organizations to centralize control of virtual desktops while taking advantage of scalable infrastructure provided by Azure. It is commonly used by enterprises looking to reduce on-premises data center dependency while maintaining flexibility in delivering both personal and pooled virtual desktops and applications.

1

Set up the connector

Configure Nexthink to connect to Microsoft AVD APIs for session metadata ingestion. This step ensures that contextual data is available to enrich insights within the VDI Experience module.

To set up the connector, perform the procedure described in Connector for Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.

2

Install Collector on VMs

Manual or automated deployment

  • Shared VDI: Install Collector on multi-session hosts deployed on the cloud platform. Ensure that session hosts are domain-joined and provisioned with appropriate sizing.

  • Personal VDI (persistent): Install Collector as a standard agent during provisioning or onboarding of the persistent desktop.

For both scenarios, perform the procedures described in the following documentations:

  1. Configuring Collector for VMs

  2. Installing Collector on VMs

  3. Deploying Collector

Golden image-based deployment

Pooled VDIs (non-persistent) use a golden image for deployment.

Perform the procedures described in the following documentations:

  1. Configuring Collector for VMs

  2. Installing Collector on VMs

  3. Deploying Collector within a Windows reference image

3

Test the connector and Collector

Connector

Confirm that device and session data is being enriched with information from the connector integration by verifying fields such as:

  • Disk Image

  • Desktop Pool

  • Virtualization Type

To test enrichment, ensure that Collector is installed on the VMs and is operational by running the following query:

devices
| where virtualization.desktop_broker == azure_virtual_desktop
| list name, hardware.type, virtualization.disk_image, virtualization.desktop_pool, virtualization.environment_name, virtualization.type, virtualization.last_update
| sort virtualization.last_update desc

For more information about running queries, see the Investigations documentation.

Collector on VMs

If needed, contact Nexthink support or your Nexthink representative.

Shared VDI

Ensure data such as the following are visible in Nexthink:

  • Device ID

  • User Name

  • Desktop Pool

To check this, run the following query:

vdi_sessions
| where device.virtualization.desktop_broker == azure_virtual_desktop and vdi_session.virtualization_type == shared
| list vdi_session.name, user.name, device.name, desktop_pool, first_seen
| sort first_seen desc

Pooled VDI

Confirm that instances report the following after deployment:

  • Unique Device IDs

  • Accurate Pool Names

  • Fresh Boot Times

To check this, run the following query:

devices
| where virtualization.desktop_broker == azure_virtual_desktop and virtualization.type == pooled
| list device.name, virtualization.desktop_pool, boot.last_full_boot_time
| sort boot.last_full_boot_time desc

Personal VDI

Verify the consistent reporting of the following:

  • Device ID and Assigned User

  • System uptime across Reboots and Logons

To check this, run the following query:

devices
| where virtualization.desktop_broker == azure_virtual_desktop and virtualization.type == personal
| with session.vdi_events during past 168h
| compute number_of_sessions = vdi_session.count(), time_since_session_last_seen = end_time.last().time_elapsed(), last_user = user.name.last()
| include device_performance.boots during past 168h
| compute number_of_restarts = number_of_boots.sum()
| include session.logins during past 168h
| compute time_since_last_login = time.last().time_elapsed(), number_of_logons = number_of_logins.sum()
| list name, last_user, number_of_sessions, time_since_session_last_seen, number_of_logons, time_since_last_login, number_of_restarts, boot.last_full_boot_time.time_elapsed(), last_seen.time_elapsed()
| sort time_since_session_last_seen desc
4

Install endpoint agents on client devices

Install Collectors on corporate-managed devices

For client devices that are centrally managed by your organization, distribute Collector across all applicable devices using your preferred software deployment tools.

Perform the procedure described in the Installing Collector documentation.

The VDI Client Extension is built into Collector; you do not need to install it separately.

Install VDI Extension on personal or self-managed devices

For personal or self-managed client devices, make VDI Client Extension available for installation. This lightweight agent provides limited yet valuable client-side metrics without requiring full Collector deployment.

Perform the procedure described in the Installing Nexthink VDI Client Extension documentation.

5

Test client devices

Corporate-managed devices

For sessions launched from managed client devices, confirm visibility into fields such as:

  • Round-Trip Time

  • Client CPU usage

  • Wi-Fi Signal Strength

  • Link Speed

While the network RTT is available even if Collector is installed only on the VM, full client performance information requires Collector to be installed on the endpoint. To validate the installation, check that client metrics are reported for the sessions.

If the client device is running Collector and reporting data to your Nexthink instance, its name appears as a link to the Device View, where you can access detailed information and activity.

To check this, run the following query:

vdi_sessions
| with session.vdi_events during past 168h
| compute average_network_rtt = network_rtt.avg(), average_wifi_signal_strength = client.network.wifi_signal_strength.avg(), average_link_speed = client.network.wired_link_speed.avg(), average_client_cpu_usage = client.cpu.normalized_usage.avg(), last_client_plugin_version = client.plugin_version.last()
| list vdi_session.name, device.name, user.name, name, last_client.device.name, last_client_plugin_version, average_network_rtt, average_wifi_signal_strength, average_link_speed, average_client_cpu_usage
| sort last_seen desc

Partner-managed or bring-your-own devices

For sessions launched from externally-managed client devices, confirm visibility into fields such as:

  • Round-Trip Time

  • Client CPU usage

  • Wi-Fi Signal Strength

  • Link Speed

While the network RTT is available even if Collector is installed only on the VM, full network performance information requires either Collector or VDI Client Extension to be installed on the client device. To validate the installation, check that networking metrics are reported for the sessions.

If VDI Client Extension is installed, no additional device data is captured and therefore no Device View is available for the client device. In this case, client-related performance information is reported only within the VDI sessions.

To check this, run the following query:

vdi_sessions
| with session.vdi_events during past 168h
| compute average_network_rtt = network_rtt.avg(), average_wifi_signal_strength = client.network.wifi_signal_strength.avg(), average_link_speed = client.network.wired_link_speed.avg(), average_client_cpu_usage = client.cpu.normalized_usage.avg(), last_client_plugin_version = client.plugin_version.last()
| list vdi_session.name, device.name, user.name, name, last_client.device.name, last_client_plugin_version, average_network_rtt, average_wifi_signal_strength, average_link_speed, average_client_cpu_usage
| sort last_seen desc

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