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In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Amazon WorkSpaces offers a managed virtual desktop service that enables organizations to provision cloud-based desktops. This flexibility allows users to access critical applications and resources from any compatible device. The Bring Your Own Windows 7 Licenses (BYOL) feature enhances this service by allowing organizations to utilize their existing Microsoft Volume Licenses, resulting in potential savings of up to 16% per month on WorkSpaces costs. This initiative underscores our commitment to providing cost-effective IT solutions.
For those already holding Microsoft Volume Licenses and equipped with the necessary management tools, adopting WorkSpaces can lead to significant efficiencies. Transitioning to BYOL is straightforward, and you can even leverage your current Desktop images for the WorkSpaces environment. Let’s get started on this journey.
Architectural Designs
Integrating your WorkSpaces with on-premises resources is seamless through network extension into AWS. Furthermore, you can expand your existing Active Directory into the AWS environment. Detailed guidance on achieving connectivity is available, and the accompanying visuals illustrate various connection points.
- Figure 1: Amazon WorkSpaces utilizing AWS Directory Service and a VPN Connection
- Figure 2: Amazon WorkSpaces with AWS Directory Service and Direct Connect
As part of your implementation, you will establish a Dedicated Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and a Dedicated Directory Service. The BYOL account will enable the necessary options for your WorkSpaces. Integrating your Active Directory into AWS can be accomplished by deploying additional Domain Controllers or using the AD Connector feature of our managed Directory Service. For more information about extending your on-premises network, click here. You can create three types of directories using our Directory Service:
- Simple AD: A cloud-compatible Active Directory solution powered by Samba 4.
- Microsoft AD: Built on Windows Server 2012 R2.
- AD Connector: Ideal for those who wish to utilize their on-premises Active Directory.
Choosing the right Directory Service will depend on your organization’s Active Directory size and required features. To delve deeper, click here.
With BYOL, you can apply your 64-bit Windows 7 Desktop Image on dedicated hardware. We use your image to provision WorkSpaces while ensuring it meets our service compatibility criteria.
Implementation Milestones
To set the stage for your implementation, we recommend providing estimates regarding initial and anticipated WorkSpaces growth. AWS will then tailor resources to align with your requirements. Your BYOL WorkSpaces will be deployed on dedicated hardware, enabling the use of your existing software licenses. Available tools and AWS features include:
- OVA: Submit your BYOL images in the OVA format compatible with Virtual Machines, using software such as Oracle VM VirtualBox, VMware vSphere, Microsoft System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager, or Citrix XenServer.
- VM Import: Use AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) for importing your image after it has been uploaded to Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3).
- VPC Wizard: This tool creates multiple resources for your BYOL VPC, configuring public/private subnets and setting up a hardware VPN.
- AWS Health Check Website: Assess whether your local network meets WorkSpaces requirements and receive suggestions for optimal deployment regions.
A proof of concept (POC) utilizing public bundles will familiarize your team with WorkSpaces, helping to validate your network, security, and configuration settings. By submitting a base Windows 7 image, you can minimize potential onboarding issues related to customizations. Post-onboarding, you can tailor your image further, and regular meetings with your AWS account team can facilitate coordination during your implementation.
Using WorkSpaces allows for a more manageable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solution, significantly reducing administrative overhead for larger user bases. The WorkSpaces API offers various commands for common tasks such as creating, checking the health of, and rebooting WorkSpaces. You can even develop a portal for managing your WorkSpaces or enabling user self-service.
To ensure you are prepared to initiate the BYOL process, please connect with your AWS account manager, solutions architect, or sales representative. Alternatively, you can create a technical support case with Amazon WorkSpaces. To get started with BYOL, click here. For more insights into job interviews, check out this link to Career Contessa’s job interview flashcards.
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