Add host pools (RD Session Hosts)

Creating a host pool

To create an RD Session Host host pool:

1. In the RAS console, navigate to Farm > <Site> > RD Session HostsHost pools.
2. Click Tasks > Add (or click the [+] icon).
3. Select Enable Host pool in site to enable the host pool. Specify the name and the description for the new host pool.
4. Click Next.
5. On the Provisioning page, select whether this host pool will contain template-based or standalone hosts:
   • Template: (Template-based RD Session Hosts only) Hosts will be created dynamically from a template. You will need to create or select an existing template in the next step or later. Choosing Template as the provisioning type ensures a homogeneous host pool, which is recommended to provide consistent user experience across the host pool. For more information about creating template-based RD Session Hosts, see section Add a template-based RD Session Host.
   • Standalone: (Template-based and standalone RD Session Hosts) Select one or more hosts that already exist. You'll be able to do it in the next step or you can do it later. Prior to adding hosts to host pools, ensure that hosts are domain joined and have network access to the domain environment. Note that the Standalone provisioning is considered "unmanaged" as it lacks some of the functionality, such as Autoscaling.
6. Click Next.
7. Depending on the selection made on the Provisioning page (above), do one of the following
   • Standalone: Select one or more hosts from the list to be included in the host pool (you can also add hosts to the pool later).
   • Template: Select a template from the list or click Create new to create a new template and specify the template settings. Versions: If you selected an existing template, select one of its versions. Enable autoscale: (Multi-session hosts) Enable and configure autoscale.
8. Click Next.
9. (Templates only) On the General page, specify the following options:
   • Template name: Choose and type a template name.
   • Maximum hosts: Specify the maximum number of hosts that can be created from this template.
   • Number of hosts deployed on wizard completion: The number of hosts to deploy once the template is created. Please keep in mind that this will take some time because the hosts will be created one at a time.
   • Host name: A pattern to use when naming new hosts.
10. Click Next.
11. (Templates only) On the Additional properties page, specify the following options:
    • Keep available buffer: The minimum number of hosts to always keep unassigned and session free for the template. As soon as the number of free and unassigned desktops drops below the setting value, it forces the template to create another host. The template uses its own settings for host creation including initial power state.
    • Host state after the preparation: Select the power state that should be applied to a host after it is prepared. Choose from Powered on, Powered off, or Suspended. Note that when the power state is set to Power off or Suspended, the number of running (fully ready and waiting for incoming connections) hosts is controlled by the Keep available buffer setting (see above). For example, let's say the Maximum hosts value is set at 200, the number of guest hosts deployed on wizard completion is 100, and the power state after preparation is Powered off. The result of such a configuration will be 100 clones deployed and powered off.
    • Delete unused hosts after: Select what to do with unused hosts to save resources. Choose whether to never delete them or specify the time period after which they should be deleted.
12. Click Next.
13. On the User profile page, you can select from Do not manage by RAS (user profiles will not be managed) or FSlogix. Microsoft FSLogix Profile Container allows to maintain user context in non-persistent environments, minimize sign-in times and provides native profile experience eliminating compatibility issues. For complete instructions, please see User profile.
14. Click Next.
15. On the Summary page, review the template summary information. You can click the Back button to correct some of the information if needed.
16. Finally, click Finish to create the host pool and close the wizard.

After you create a host pool and later publish resources from it, you can view the list of resources by right-clicking a host pool and choosing Show published resources (or click Tasks > Show Published Resources). For more information, see Viewing published resources hosted by RD Session Hosts.