Start VM on Connect

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Start VM on connect is a property of Host Pools that allows a session host to be powered on when a user connects and the session host is not running. This property is available for pooled and personal desktops. This is a major cost-savings feature. It allows you to setup an auto-scale configuration where the host pool size can be brought down to zero hosts (all session hosts are powered off) when not in use.

The setting is available by navigating to a host pool's Properties > AVD page.

Simply select Start VM on connect to enable the property. Nerdio Manager handles all the back-end functionality, including creating the necessary role, and making appropriate API calls to enable the behavior for the host pool.