What’s New in Parallels RAS 19

We’re thrilled to announce that Parallels® RAS 19 is now available with new features and updates that will greatly benefit organizations and their end users.

This latest release enables organizations to seamlessly integrate with Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a cloud provider, take advantage of modern application packaging for dynamic app delivery, automate certificate management, and more.

In this article, we’ll explore in more detail some of the new features and enhancements in this release of Parallels RAS.

Amazon Web Services as a Cloud Provider

Parallels RAS 19 provides organizations with the ability to integrate, configure, maintain, support, and access Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) workloads and fully use the AWS cloud as a singular or multi-cloud solution. Administrators can easily deploy applications and desktops running on Amazon EC2—all from the Parallels RAS Console.

MSIX App Attach Integration

Another new integration you’ll find in Parallels RAS 19 is MSIX app attach support. This Microsoft application layering technology modernizes app packaging and delivery for Windows apps.

IT administrators can separate applications from their core operating system and deliver individual applications to users dynamically. The Parallels RAS wizard makes application layering for session hosts easy.

Key benefits of MSIX app attach and Parallels RAS integration include:

Ability to dynamically deliver applications without the need to update the RAS template.
Lower footprint and infrastructure cost with fewer RAS templates.
On demand application delivery.
Built-in version tags to simplify application package updates.
Ability to manage certificates used for application package signing.

Let’s Encrypt Certificate Management

Let’s Encrypt is a non-profit global certificate authority run by the Internet Security Research Group that provides X.509 certificates for Transport Layer Security encryption at no charge.

Parallels RAS 19 now includes automated certificate management. With security a top priority for many organizations, this integration provides Parallels RAS customers with a streamlined and automated method to issue and renew SSL certificates through a one-time configuration.

This capability also facilitates meeting information security requirements, that of enforcing the regular updating of certificates, done with Parallels RAS in an automated way. In addition, customers can remove SSL certificate costs by using these free SSL certificates based on Domain Validation (DV), which are trusted by most browsers.

Parallels Client for Windows on ARM64

The Parallels Client for Windows has been rebuilt and optimized to run natively on machines that use Windows ARM64 processors, providing users of these lightweight systems with efficient access to their x86 and 64-bit applications, including legacy applications.

ARM processors offer always-on connectivity, instant wake, and come with cellular activity without adding a premium to the cost. These features make them a popular choice for bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives.

Examples of ARM64 devices include Surface Pro X (SQ1 and SQ2), HP Elite Folio, Lenovo Flex 5G, and Samsung Galaxy Book S/Go.

As the Windows on ARM PC ecosystem continues to grow, Parallels RAS is positioned to give customers an outstanding user experience with Parallels Client for Windows ARM64.

Additional Features and Enhancements

In addition to the features listed above, Parallels RAS 19 introduces several other notable new features and enhancements, including:

Expression-based filtering and policies. Administrators can now use a natural language format to reduce complexity and provide more flexibility when creating filters and policies.

Parallels RAS users can take advantage of more granular control over who can access published resources, what policies are applied to which client, which users are required to use multi-factor authentication, and user login hours. Expression-based filtering and policies means administrators need fewer policies and fewer publishing objects to reach the intended audience.

Power management. Parallels RAS 19 can now fully manage the power schedule for virtual machines (VMs). This enables administrators to create a time-based schedule to power on or off existing VMs while they are used as session hosts running on any Parallels supported VDI provider including Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktops, and Amazon Web Services.

A key feature of running workloads in the cloud is that organizations only pay for the computing resources they use. Session hosts are typically used only during business hours, thus powering off unused resources during non-business hours helps cut costs without affecting the user experience.

Email-based account discovery. End users can now enter their email address to quickly and easily connect to their applications and desktops when using Parallels clients for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

When email-based account discovery is configured by the administrator, there is no need for users to switch windows and search for an administrator email invitation or input a long server address. Email-based account discovery is ideal for BYOD (bring your own device) situations and unmanaged devices.

Logon hours restrictions. Logon hours restrictions let administrators allow or restrict user access to published applications and desktops during specified time frames using expression-based rules. Logon hours settings can be used to tighten security and support organizations who are implementing right-to-disconnect policies.

Multiple multi-factor authentication (MFA) providers. Increased flexibility now allows administrators to employ multiple MFA providers without the requirement to deploy them within different Parallels RAS environments.

This allows resources to be reused, thus streamlining management. Different themes can also be configured to use different MFA providers. For example, theme one can be configured to use RADIUS as an MFA provider while theme two is configured to use Google Authenticator as an MFA provider.

Specific URL redirection. This enhancement provides administrators with the ability to redirect specific URLs to local resources on end user devices or allow or deny specific URLs. Specific URL redirection increases content redirection to make better use of end-user device resources.

For example, audio and video delivery for calls and meetings (for Microsoft Teams and other unified communication tools) can be optimized. Server-side bandwidth can also be optimized.

Parallels Client for macOS. Popular features available in the Parallels Client for Windows are now also available on Parallels Client for macOS. This includes dynamic resolution support, high-level camera redirection, and clipboard support for formatted texts and links.

Try Parallels RAS 19 today!