This article outlines the resources and corresponding configuration to run Jiwa on the Azure platform.
The SQL Azure Database-as-a-service is used, and Remote Desktop services to deliver the Jiwa application as a remoteApp.
The Azure platform is ever-changing and best practices will change along with it.
At the time of this article was published, the best practices were followed for a generic environment - however the reader should perform their own due diligence on the current best practices for delivering Windows desktop applications via cloud hosted remote Apps, and also the best way to integrate into their organisation.
Azure Virtual Machine
Typically, we use B4ms sized VM’s for up to 30 users. For more users either create additional VM’s and load balance, or just scale up to B8ms. If you only have 1 to 12 users, or it's a test machine, you might get away with a B2ms
"B" refers to the burst size. B machines are typically cheaper because Microsoft assume you're not using them 24x7.
"2" or "4" refers to the number of cores - 2 core is 8GB, 4 cores is 16GB.
Jiwa typically runs at 512 MB per user; allow 2GB for the operating system.
Azure Active Directory
Azure Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS)
SQL Azure
For Azure SQL we use Standard tier – 50 DTU’s is usually the minimum, but we have a couple of customers using less.
If the customer has multiple databases (as often is the case – NZ operation, AU operation for instance) we’ll create an elastic pool of 100 DTU’s and have all the databases in there.
SQL Database
Database size depends entirely on the nature of the customers business – for a newly provisioned customer we start at 10GB. We have customers who have 90GB+ sized databases, but not many.
To use an RDS VM it must connect to either a domain controller or Azure Active Directory Domain Services
Remote Desktop Services
Note that the RDS server requires CAL licences for each user – this is a once-off purchase, and you can obtain these from various on-line retailers
HTML 5 client
SSL Certificates and auto-renewal
App Registration for Email through Office 365 (Microsoft Graph API)
Point to Site VPN
MS Azure Data Backups
Add on extra $$ a month to backup the VM if deemed necessary – we generally don’t as it’s just Windows Server 2019 and Jiwa – nothing that can’t rapidly be rebuilt.
MS Azure Calculator
If you haven’t already, you can use the Azure pricing calculator to see the pricing options - https://azure.microsoft.com/en-au/pricing/calculator
Of particular interest might be the discounts offered for paying up-front for VM’s for 1 or 3 years (41% discount for 1 year, 62% discount for 3 years).
What you would need to do to allow us to help you (permissions, et al)
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