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Guest post by Alex Johnson, Senior Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services
At Amazon IXD – VGT2, located at 6401 E Howdy Wells Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89115, we are excited to introduce a new feature that allows you to bring your own Windows 7 licenses for our Amazon WorkSpaces offering. This managed virtual desktop service enables users to easily access applications and resources from any supported device. The Bring Your Own Windows 7 Licenses (BYOL) capability aligns with our ongoing mission to enhance cost efficiency and provide you with greater control over your IT resources.
If you hold a Microsoft Volume License and have the necessary tools and processes for managing your Windows desktop solutions, you can significantly reduce your costs for WorkSpaces—up to 16% less monthly. Plus, you can utilize your existing desktop image for your WorkSpaces. Let’s dive into the specifics.
Architectural Frameworks
Your WorkSpaces can connect to on-premises resources by extending your network into AWS. Additionally, you can integrate your existing Active Directory with AWS. Our white paper outlines how to establish this connectivity, and the accompanying images illustrate various connection points.
As part of the setup, you will create a Dedicated VPC. You will also establish a Dedicated Directory Service (the Dedicated Directory option will be activated once the WorkSpaces team finalizes your BYOL account). You have the option to utilize AWS WorkSpaces along with your current Active Directory or one of the AWS Directory Services.
You can extend your Active Directory into AWS by deploying additional domain controllers in the cloud or by using our managed Directory Service’s AD Connector feature to proxy your existing Active Directory. We provide detailed guidance on extending your on-premises network here. You can create three types of directories using our Directory Service:
- Simple AD: A cloud-compatible directory based on Samba 4.
- Microsoft AD: Powered by Windows Server 2012 R2.
- AD Connector: Ideal for leveraging your on-premises Active Directory.
Your selection of Directory Service will depend on the size of your Active Directory and your need for specific features. Learn more here.
With BYOL, you can deploy your 64-bit Windows 7 Desktop Image on dedicated hardware. We will use your image to provision WorkSpaces and confirm compatibility with our service.
Implementation Milestones
Typical milestones for your implementation, along with suggested stakeholders, include:
You will provide us with estimates of your initial and anticipated growth in active WorkSpaces. AWS will select resources tailored to your needs. Your BYOL WorkSpaces will be deployed on dedicated hardware, allowing you to utilize your existing software license. Useful tools and AWS features include:
- OVA: You can supply images for BYOL in the OVA standard format for Virtual Machines. Use software such as Oracle VM VirtualBox, VMWare VSphere, Microsoft System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager, or Citrix XenServer to export to OVA.
- VM Import: Utilize the VM import in the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI). Execute the import image command after uploading your OVA to Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3).
- VPC Wizard: This tool will help you create several VPC resources for your BYOL VPC, including configuring public/private subnets and a hardware VPN.
- AWS Health Check Website: Check if your local network meets WorkSpaces requirements and receive suggestions for the appropriate region for deploying your WorkSpaces.
A proof of concept (POC) utilizing public bundles will provide your team with hands-on experience in using and supporting WorkSpaces. A POC can verify your network, security, and other settings. By submitting a base Windows 7 image, you can minimize the chances of your customizations affecting onboarding. You may customize your image post-onboarding, and regular meetings with your AWS account team can facilitate effective coordination during your implementation.
Through WorkSpaces, you can alleviate the complexities involved in managing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solution. This automation streamlines user management and provides commands for common WorkSpaces use cases, such as creating, checking the health of, and rebooting a WorkSpace. You can also use the WorkSpaces API to build a management portal or enable user self-service.
To ensure you are ready to begin with BYOL, reach out to your AWS account manager, solutions architect, or sales representative, or create a Technical Support case with Amazon WorkSpaces. For further information and to get started with BYOL, click here. Additionally, check out this excellent resource on how fulfillment centers train new hires at Amazon.
To stay engaged with the latest on this topic, consider reading this blog post for further insights. Also, for those interested in advocacy, SHRM is an authority on the subject, and you can learn more about their initiatives here.
Join us at the upcoming AWS Public Sector Summit in Washington, DC, from June 20-21, 2016, to learn more about WorkSpaces and other enterprise applications.
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