Configure Nerdio Manager for Azure Stack HCI with Resource Bridge

Nerdio Manager supports Azure Stack HCI functionality by integrating with an existing on-premises HCI cluster. HCI clusters can be integrated with Hybrid Worker or Resource Bridge. Microsoft advises against Hybrid Worker and using Resource Bridge. This allows you to perform typical functions such as creating host pools, adding session hosts to a host pool, and exporting a managed desktop image, all within the familiar Nerdio Manager interface.

See this Microsoft document for an overview of Azure Stack HCI.

Azure Stack HCI Prerequisites

To link an Azure Stack HCI Cluster, you must first meet the following prerequisites:

• Install Nerdio Manager . See Nerdio Manager Installation Guide for details.

• Fully functional Azure Stack HCI cluster, with a minimum of 1 node, must be registered with an Azure subscription that is linked to Nerdio Manager. See Link Azure Subscription Using App Credentials for details.

• HCI Cluster nodes must be registered in Azure as Arc servers. See this Microsoft article for details.

• HCI Cluster must use Resource Bridge.

• Obtain local shared storage path on the HCI cluster to be used for FSLogix profiles.

• Link the HCI network and resource group where the HCI cluster is registered. See Azure Environment: Linked Networks and Resource Groups for details.

Link an Azure Stack HCI Cluster

Once you have configured and obtained all the prerequisites, you can link an Azure Stack HCI Cluster.

To link an Azure Stack HCI Cluster:

1. Navigate to Settings > Azure environment.

2. In the Linked networks tile, select Link Hybrid Network.

3. From the drop-down list, select a subnet that is linked to the Azure Stack HCI and then select OK.

   The Stack HCI Cluster entry is linked to Nerdio Manager.

Create an Image on the Azure Stack HCI On-premises Instance

To create a host pool, an image must be present on the Azure Stack HCI on-premises instance. This can be done any of the following ways.

To create an image using a Desktop Image:

1. Navigate to Desktop Images.

2. Locate the desktop image you wish to work with.

   Note: Alternatively, you can create a new desktop image.

3. From the action menu, select Power off & set as image or Set as image (according to the power state of this desktop image).

4. Enter the following information:

   • Geographic distribution & Azure compute gallery: Select this option to store the image in Azure Compute Gallery and automatically distribute it to the selected Azure regions.

     • Custom (Stack HCI) Locations: From the drop-down list, select custom locations where the desktop image should be replicated.

   • See Desktop Images Set as Image for details about the other fields.

5. Once you have entered all the desired information, select now (not scheduled) or Save & close (scheduled).

   You can see the job's progress in the logs. See Desktop Images Change Log Feature for details about the logs.

To create an image using an Azure VM or Azure Library:

1. Navigate to Desktop Images.

2. Select either Add from Azure VM or Add from Azure Library.

3. Enter the following information:

   • Geographic distribution & Azure compute gallery: Select this option to store the image in Azure Compute Gallery and automatically distribute it to the selected Azure regions.

     • Custom (Stack HCI) Locations: From the drop-down list, select custom locations where the desktop image should be replicated.

   • See Import an Existing VM or Import Images from the Azure Library for details about the other fields.

Troubleshoot Issues

See Troubleshoot Issues with Resource Bridge in Azure Stack HCI for details.