DAS SVE - AVD VMW Sizing

While preparing your sales team to sell AVD solutions as discussed in my previous blog, we should also be cognisant when positioning AVD solutions. The team must carefully match VM sizes to customer workloads while optimizing costs. Microsoft provides clear virtual machine recommendations based on user types and workloads that form the foundation for effective solution design.

Key Considerations for VM Sizing

Understanding user profile types is essential for proper VM selection. Light users typically work with basic productivity applications like Office 365 and web browsers. Medium users include knowledge workers who need to run Office applications alongside line-of-business software. Heavy users comprise power users working with resource-intensive applications such as CAD tools, video editing software, or development environments. Specialized workloads often require GPU acceleration for graphics-intensive tasks.

Performance factors play a critical role in sizing decisions. CPU requirements must accommodate peak usage periods, while memory needs depend on application demands. Storage I/O becomes particularly important for data-intensive operations, and GPU acceleration becomes necessary for visual computing workloads. Session density – the number of concurrent users per VM – directly impacts both performance and cost efficiency.

Microsoft's Recommended VM Sizes

Microsoft's official recommendations provide a structured approach to VM selection. For general purpose workloads, light users typically require 2-4 vCPUs and 4-8GB RAM, with Dsv3, Dv3, or Dasv4 series VMs being appropriate for task workers and data entry roles. Medium users working with Office 365 and ERP systems generally need 4-8 vCPUs and 8-16GB RAM, often using the same VM series as light users but with larger configurations. Heavy users such as developers and financial analysts typically require 8+ vCPUs and 16GB+ RAM, with Esv3, Edsv4, or Ebsv5 series VMs providing the necessary performance.

For GPU workloads, entry-level GPU requirements for light CAD and basic 3D work can be met with NVv4 series VMs. Professional workloads in engineering and architecture often require NVv3 series VMs, while high-end applications like AI/ML and complex rendering benefit from NCasT4_v3 series VMs with more powerful GPU capabilities.

Enterprise Productivity Workloads

For standard office productivity scenarios involving Microsoft 365 applications, web browsing, and basic business software, the D4s v3 VM series (4 vCPU, 16GB RAM) typically serves 10-15 concurrent users effectively. Financial services organizations deploying AVD for trading floors or back-office operations often require the D8s v3 configuration (8 vCPU, 32GB RAM) to handle multiple monitors and data-intensive applications like Bloomberg Terminal or Tableau.

Knowledge Worker Environments

Professional services firms implementing AVD for consultants and client-facing staff should consider the E4s v3 series (4 vCPU, 32GB RAM) when dealing with complex documents, large spreadsheets, and multiple collaboration tools. Law firms and accounting practices running specialized applications like document management systems or tax software may need to scale to E8s v3 instances (8 vCPU, 64GB RAM) for optimal performance during peak periods.

Technical and Creative Workloads

Engineering organizations using CAD applications should deploy NV-series VMs with NVIDIA GPUs, starting with the NV12s v3 (12 vCPU, 112GB RAM, 1x M60 GPU) for moderate 3D workloads. Media production teams working with video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro require high-end NVv4 instances with at least 16 vCPUs and dedicated GPU resources for smooth timeline scrubbing and rendering.

Specialized Industry Solutions

Healthcare providers implementing AVD for clinical staff should consider the D16s v3 series (16 vCPU, 64GB RAM) when running electronic medical record systems alongside medical imaging viewers. Educational institutions deploying virtual computer labs can optimize costs using the D4s v3 series during classroom hours while scaling down during off-peak periods.

Performance Optimization Strategies

Successful AVD implementations incorporate several key optimization techniques. Right-sizing begins with Microsoft's baseline recommendations but must be validated through pilot testing with actual user workflows. Storage configuration significantly impacts performance, with Premium SSDs recommended for user profile disks and FSLogix containers. Network bandwidth requirements vary by use case, but Microsoft recommends 1.5Mbps per user for typical office productivity scenarios, increasing to 15Mbps or more for CAD and media workloads.

Cost Management Approaches

Azure Cost Management tools should be implemented from day one to track consumption patterns. Reserved Instance purchases can yield significant savings for predictable workloads, while Azure Spot VMs work well for non-critical environments like student labs. Auto-scaling policies help match capacity to demand, particularly for organizations with variable usage patterns across time zones or business cycles.

Common Customer Scenarios

In healthcare organizations with 500 clinical staff accessing EHR systems, D8s v3 VMs with 8 vCPUs and 32GB RAM typically provide the right balance for medium-heavy usage with multiple medical applications. Engineering firms with 50 CAD designers needing GPU acceleration would benefit from NV12s v3 VMs featuring 12 vCPUs, 112GB RAM, and 1x M60 GPU to handle high-end graphics requirements for 3D modeling. Financial services organizations with 1,000 knowledge workers using Office 365 and BI tools often find D4s v3 VMs with 4 vCPUs and 16GB RAM, combined with auto-scaling capabilities, provide balanced performance for typical office workloads.

Implementation Best Practices

A right-sizing approach should begin with Microsoft's baseline recommendations, then use Azure Monitor to track actual usage patterns. Adjustments to VM sizes should be made during the pilot phase before full deployment to ensure optimal performance.

Cost optimization strategies include considering Azure Reserved Instances for predictable workloads, utilizing Spot VMs for non-critical operations, and implementing auto-scaling to handle variable demand efficiently. Performance validation should include comprehensive load testing before production deployment, continuous monitoring of key metrics like CPU pressure and memory usage and leveraging Azure Advisor for optimization recommendations.

Tools for Success

Successful AVD deployments share several common characteristics. They begin with thorough workload assessment, include a well-instrumented pilot phase, and establish clear performance benchmarks. The most effective implementations combine technical excellence with change management to ensure user adoption. By following these guidelines and tailoring solutions to specific use cases, partners can deliver AVD solutions that meet both technical requirements and business objectives.

The Azure Pricing Calculator helps estimate costs for different VM configurations, while Azure Migrate assists in assessing current workloads for proper sizing. The AVD Capacity Planner is particularly valuable for planning session host requirements and ensuring adequate resources for projected user counts.

By combining these sizing guidelines with a thorough understanding of customer workloads, your team can deliver optimized AVD solutions that balance performance and cost-effectiveness. Validating recommendations with actual usage data during POC phases remains critical to success. The right VM sizing not only reduces costs but prevents performance bottlenecks, forming a key value proposition when positioning AVD against traditional VDI solutions. This technical precision in solution design helps establish credibility and trust during the sales process while ensuring customer satisfaction post-implementation.

By focusing on these strategies, your sales team will be well-prepared to drive AVD solutions, strengthen customer relationships, and secure a competitive edge in the evolving DaaS market so please contact your Surestep Ambassador team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to assist you with possible guidance around AVD adoption and what best strategy to use.