Microsoft AVD/RDP + Teams Optimized Video

Overview

This test case validates the modern remote collaboration experience on a zTC device. It simulates a user working from home or in a hybrid office, connecting to a Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and participating in a Microsoft Teams video call.

The primary goal is to verify the AVD optimization for Microsoft Teams. This critical feature offloads audio and video processing from the AVD virtual machine to the local zTC device. Successful optimization results in a smooth, high-quality meeting experience with synchronized audio and video, without consuming excessive resources on the AVD host server. 🖥️

zTC/zMAN Configuration

These steps configure zMAN and the local zTC to connect to the AVD environment and allow the necessary peripherals.

Part A: zMAN Director Configuration

1. Create a Microsoft Profile:
   • Log into the zMAN Director UI.
   • Navigate to Device Settings -> Profiles.
   • Click the ADD PROFILE button.
   • In the “Add Profile” window, enter a descriptive Name (e.g., AVD_Teams_Users).
   • Select Microsoft from the Protocol dropdown menu.
   • Tick the checkbox for RD Web Access and enter your AVD feed discovery URL (e.g., https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery).
   • Click ADD to save the profile.
2. Apply Profile to zTC Device:
   • Navigate to Device Management -> zTC Clients and click the LIST tab.
   • Find and select your target zTC device(s).
   • Apply the AVD_Teams_Users profile to the selected device(s) and monitor the task for successful completion.

Part B: Local zTC Configuration

1. Navigate to USB Configuration:
   • On the zTC device, go to the Start menu -> Preference -> Settings.
   • From the left pane of the Settings window, click on USB Configuration.
2. Enable Video and Audio Device Classes:
   • In the “USB Configuration” screen, locate the USB Device Class section.
   • Ensure the toggle switches for Video and Audio are both enabled (in the “Allow” position).
   • Click the Apply button at the bottom of the window to save the changes.
3. Navigate to remmina profiles page
   • Right Click on desired profile
   • Click edit option
   • Go to Advanced Page
   • Select Audio output mode as Local
   • Enter the vid:pid of the camera
   • Click Save and Connect.

3rd Party Setup (Microsoft AVD Environment)

1. Deploy AVD Host Pool: A functional AVD host pool using a modern Windows multi-session image (e.g., Windows 11 Enterprise) must be deployed and accessible.
2. Install Teams for AVD: On the master image for the host pool, install Microsoft Teams using the machine-wide installer (msiexec /i <path_to_msi> /l*v <install_logfile_path> ALLUSER=1 ALLUSERS=1).
3. Install WebRTC Redirector: Ensure the “Remote Desktop WebRTC Redirector Service” is installed on the master image, as this component is essential for Teams optimization.
4. Configure Host Pool RDP Properties: In the Azure portal, navigate to your AVD host pool’s RDP Properties. Under the “Advanced” tab, add the following properties to enable audio and camera redirection for optimization: audiocapturemode:i:1;camerastoredirect:s:*
5. Assign User: Assign the test user account to an application group associated with the host pool.

Execution

1. Connect Hardware: Connect a compatible USB webcam and a USB headset (or microphone/speakers) to the zTC device.
2. Launch Connection: Power on the zTC. On the SnapOS desktop, double-click the RDP Web Client icon.
3. Authenticate to AVD:
   • Enter your AVD URL when prompted.
   • Sign in with your Azure Active Directory test user credentials.
4. Launch Virtual Desktop: Once authenticated, your assigned desktops and applications will appear. Double-click the virtual desktop session to launch it.
5. Start and Configure Teams:
   • Inside the AVD session, open Microsoft Teams.
   • Click the ellipses (…) next to your profile picture and go to Settings -> Devices.
6. Verify Device Redirection: In the device settings, check the dropdown menus for Audio devices and Camera. The webcam and headset connected to the zTC should appear a
7. Initiate a Video Call: Start or join a Teams meeting with another user. Enable your camera and microphone.
8. Test In-Call Functions:
   • Confirm that the other participant can see your video and hear your audio clearly.
   • Confirm you can see and hear the other participant.
   • Use the in-app controls in Teams to mute/unmute your microphone and turn your camera on and off.

Verification

• Device Recognition (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: In the AVD session, Microsoft Teams’ device settings correctly list the local webcam and headset, specifically noting they are optimized (e.g., “AVD Optimized”).
  • FAIL: The devices are not listed, appear as generic un-optimized devices, or are unavailable for selection.
• Audio Quality (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: Two-way audio is clear, synchronized with the video, and free of significant echo, lag, or robotic distortion.
  • FAIL: Audio is choppy, delayed, out of sync with the video, or has persistent poor quality.
• Video Quality (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: The transmitted video from the zTC’s webcam is smooth (acceptable frame rate, >15fps) and clear. Received video is also displayed smoothly.
  • FAIL: Video is frozen, heavily pixelated, has a very low frame rate (<10fps), or fails to transmit/receive.
• Optimization Status (Pass/Fail):
  • PASS: CPU usage on the AVD session host remains at a reasonable level during the video call. In Teams, call health statistics confirm that media is not being processed over the standard RDP channel.
  • FAIL: CPU usage on the AVD session host spikes to very high levels (>70-80%) during the video call, indicating that media processing was not successfully offloaded to the zTC client.