Subscription & Authentication
What are the differences between ARM or ASM deployment?
The Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and Azure Service Management (ASM) deployment models represent two different ways of deploying and managing your Azure solutions. For more detailed comparison, visit this documentation.
To simplify the deployment and management of resources, Microsoft recommends that you use ARM for all new resources. If possible, Microsoft recommends that you redeploy existing resources through ARM.
MyCloudIT can work with both ARM and ASM deployments.
How to know if I have an ARM or ASM deployment?
You should be able to see your subscription in ARM or ASM:
- If you login with manage.windowsazure.com, you’re using ASM or classic subscription;
- If your VM is shown in ARM as “classic”, you’re using ASM or classic subscription;
- If you login with portal.azure.com, you’re using ARM subscription;
- If you’re using Azure RemoteApp, you’re using ARM subscription;
If you need help with migration from ASM to ARM, contact us at sales@mycloudit.com for a custom quote.
Can I use my same Azure subscription?
Yes, you can bring your own Azure subscription.
Or, you can purchase Azure from MyCloudIT and receive 10% off Azure consumption. MyCloudIT’s Azure subscription is available for U.S. customers only.
What is the new authentication method for my new deployment?
Your new authentication method will be determined based on your current authentication method:
If you currently use Azure Active Directory (AAD)
Are you using Auth for applications other than Azure RemoteApp?
- Yes – Use AAD Connect
- No – Create fresh AD
If you currently use Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS)
Are you using Auth for applications other than Azure RemoteApp?
- Yes – Contact MyCloudIT
- No – Create fresh AD
If you currently use Windows Server Domain Services (WS DS)
We will create the VNet peering so your new Domain-joined RDS can connect to your ARA Hybrid deployment.
Deployment & Management
What options do I have for Azure RemoteApp migration?
MyCloudIT offers 3 migration options for existing Azure RemoteApp customers:
- Basic Remote Apps: Deploy up to 10 users;
- Standard Remote Apps: Deploy up to 375 users;
- Domain-joined Remote Apps: Deploy inside an existing AD Domain, up to 375 users;
You can also choose our Remote Desktop templates to replace your Azure RemoteApp deployment with more capabilities. Visit our documentation to learn more about our Remote Desktop deployments.
If you need to migrate more than 375 users, contact us at sales@mycloudit.com for more info.
Can I migrate the same image multiple times?
Azure limits the number migrations of each VM to three migration attempts. If you try to migrate the same VM more than three times, subsequent migration attempts will fail. If you need to migrate the same VM more than three times, please reach out to Microsoft Support to increase your export limit count. The MyCloudIT team will also be happy to assist with the escalation request to Microsoft.
Can I keep my image or should I create a new one?
You can either keep or create a new image in the MyCloudIT portal:
-
- If you want to keep your current image – we’ll migrate it to the new deployment;
- If you want to create a new image – learn more by visiting https://mycloudit.com/user-guide/golden-image-template/ ;
- If you use the Microsoft-provided Office 365 image, we will install the same image used in your Azure RemoteApp collection directly from the Azure image gallery.
Can I still use Office 2013 / Windows Server 2012 R2 in MyCloudIT?
Yes, we will migrate the same image used in your Azure RemoteApp collections by installing the same image from the Azure image gallery.
Can I migrate my User Profile Disk (UPD) from Azure RemoteApp?
You will be given the opportunity to migrate your UPDs with your Azure RemoteApp collection. If your users did not store data in the UPDs, they do not need to be migrated. If you choose to migrate your UPDs, it could take Azure more than an hour per UPD to copy into your new deployment. Your collection will be marked as completed and running, even while the UPDs are being copied into your deployment from Azure RemoteApp. We will create an additional task in the Notifications tab that will track the progress of the UPD copy process. Please check that task to ensure all of the UPDs are copied successfully.
Where will my old Azure RemoteApp UPDs be stored?
Your legacy UPDs will be stored on the RDSMGMT server in the F:\Shares\LegacyUPD directory. Please note that they are saved in the VHD format and would need to be converted to the VHDX format before they could be mounted as UPDs in the new deployment. The Legacy UPDs can only be mounted as UPDs when Domain-Joined deployments are used. Standard and Basic deployments will not support the mounting of the Legacy UPDs.
Can I change Azure regions?
Yes. However, it’s not supported in our automated migration tool. Contact us at sales@mycloudit.com for a custom quote.
Can I deploy into an existing Domain Controller for Hybrid RemoteApp?
Yes. Our migration tool will walk you through step-by-step on how to deploy into an existing Windows Server Active Directory Domain.
Will the migration incur downtime?
No. You can deploy the MyCloudIT RemoteApp parallel to your Azure RemoteApp deployment for testing purposes. The only user impact would be that user would login to a different URL or you would have to update their shortcuts.
MyCloudIT – Automated RDS on IaaS
Is RDS on IaaS a new method for hosting cloud applications?
No, it’s not. In fact, Azure RemoteApp uses RDS on IaaS to deliver remote application in the Microsoft Azure cloud. However, since Microsoft manages the infrastructure and offers Azure RemoteApp as a PaaS, you have no control over the deployment details.
MyCloudIT also builds Remote App offerings using RDS on IaaS. The difference is we give you the control of the infrastructure so you can optimize the costs and the performance of your Remote App deployment.
How much does the MyCloudIT solution cost?
There are three components in your monthly MyCloudIT costs:
- Azure consumption costs: varied based on your usage and optimization
- MyCloudIT license fee: $8.00/month/user
- RDS SAL: $6.00/month/user
You can bring your own Azure subscription and RDS licenses or purchase from MyCloudIT. You’ll receive 10% discount on Azure consumption costs if buying from MyCloudIT.
Do I have to pay for my Azure RemoteApp migration?
From now to August 31st, MyCloudIT and Microsoft are offering free migrations to replace existing ARA deployments with MyCloudIT’s RDS on IaaS solutions.
Partners who meet the following conditions will receive free migration service by MyCloudIT:
- Partners must sign off on a MyCloudIT provided Statement of Work;
AND - Prove that Azure RemoteApp collections have been deleted (screen shot is sufficient);
Have questions? Contact us at sales@mycloudit.com to see if you’re qualified for the free migration service.
For Additional Questions
MyCloudIT is a Microsoft Azure automation platform, offering solutions and features specifically build for Managed Service Providers.