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Automated 35% of the host pool golden image creation and configuration process using unorthodox and innovative method

Overview

We had a 95 page SOP for setting up an AVD Host Pool from scratch. Leveraging DevTestLabs, the artifacts, and MECM Task Sequences, I was able to reduce the total size of the SOP to 61 pages.

Technical Explanation

In DevTestLabs, you can create Formula Bases which are a customized image (from the marketplace or custom) and Artifacts (which are essentially PowerShell scripts with a little extra). Using these technologies in combination resulted in our engineers simply entering a VM name (that corresponds with a CM Task Sequence) and the process spits out a VM joined to our domain, Azure tenant, and the Task Sequence is finished. After that we just need to do some finishing touches and capture the image, then push out some AVD session hosts.

Side Note

The reason I came upon this solution set was actually by accident. My manager had asked me to check out DevTestLabs to see how we could use it to spin up Azure VMs quickly for application testing so we could get rid of the on-site application packaging machines we had. After figuring that portion out, I realized, “Man, I want to use this when we’re spinning up golden images too!” and the idea was born.

Skills Involved