Parallels RAS 19.3
Parallels RAS 19.3 introduces new enhancements in areas of administration, security, and user experience, offering further benefits in management and security when deploying and managing at scale.
Key enhancements:
Image management (Template Versioning & Provisioning Updates):
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Template Versioning
Now with RAS, IT administrators can create multiple versions of the same RAS template, enabling the validation of new image versions and assign to select host pools in dev/test environment before implementing into production. Additionally, this update offers administrators the ability to swiftly revert to previous versions if required, resulting in lower hardware footprint and management overheads. -
Version Tags
Improve image lifecycle management with tags. Assign key identities for different templates like production, pre-production and custom tags (editable names) without extensive manual configuration. -
Scheduled Template Image Updates
Reduce workforce disruptions by staggering template updates with RAS. IT administrators can choose to schedule when new template updates are introduced. They can allow users to continue working without disruptions until they next log off, or alternatively, they can force users to log off so that users are using new updated workload VMs.
Continued enrichment of Azure Virtual Desktop Experience:
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Enhanced Redirection in Azure Virtual Desktop
RAS continues to build on its redirection capabilities in Azure Virtual Desktop, offering a range of new features that come standard with its latest 19.3 release.- Universal Printing: For built-in efficient and effortless printing on locally available printers.
- URL Redirection: Specify URLs to be opened on the client side, making use of client-side resources.
- Accelerated File Redirection: Enabled drive cache capability to speed up enumeration of local files and folders from Azure Virtual Desktop resource.
- RemoteExec: Allows admin to specify to launch an application on the client from the Azure Virtual Desktop resource.
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FSLogix Office Containers
Simplify user profile management with the latest Office Container integration by allowing administrations to leverage just Microsoft 365 app data or combine with existing profile containers directly from the RAS management console.
Security & compliance:
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TLS 1.3 and FIPS 140-2 SSL 3.0 support
Upleveled security with built-in TLS 1.3 support and FIPS 140-2 SSL 3.0 compliancy. Administrators can easily specify in the RAS console the preferred protocol for all native and web clients. RAS has also been verified by Veracode, due to its exceptional integrated security measures that are built directly into its code. For more information, visit https://www.veracode.com/verified/directory
User experience:
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Modern and unified user experience
Introducing an upgraded, unified user interface for web and native Parallels Clients, designed with modern aesthetics and familiarity to optimize user workflow. The new design seamlessly blends with native OS elements while maintaining a contemporary look. This minimalist approach enhances productivity and user experience by adapting to individual preferences, like offering both dark and light modes. The Parallels Client for web is available now with the Parallels Client for Windows and macOS made available in the fall Y23. Across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android clients, we have introduced the much-requested "Favourites" feature, enabling users to select and access their preferred applications effortlessly from the resource list.
For a full list of features, refer to the Parallels RAS 19.3 release notes.
Parallels RAS 19.2
Parallels RAS 19.2 focuses on Azure Virtual Desktop integration, making it easier for administrators with little or no knowledge of Azure to maximize the benefits of multi-user Windows 10/11 workloads.
Watch the on-demand webinar.
Key enhancements:
Azure Virtual Desktop
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HTML5 Web Client
Access Azure Virtual Desktop resources from Windows, macOS, and Linux devices using any browser. -
MSIX app attach
Packaged applications can now be appended to Azure Virtual Desktop workloads. -
RDP Shortpath
UDP-based transport between client and session host can now be limited to a specific port range. -
Storage cost optimization
As an extension of the auto-scaling and power management cost optimizations, managed disk storage can automatically be downgraded when Azure Virtual Desktop virtual machines are powered off.
Additional enhancements
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User experience
Users can granularly select specific monitors for virtual desktops. In addition, pre-created client connections can be designated for shared devices. -
Microsoft Authenticator
For Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication, Microsoft Authenticator is now available. -
Administrative improvements
Persistent desktop assignments, as well as new PowerShell cmdlets and APIs make administration easier.
Parallels RAS 19.1
Parallels RAS 19.1 is an incremental update that adds new capabilities, supports new technology, and includes performance and security improvements. Highlights include:
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MSIX app attach enhancements
Parallels RAS 19.1 extends MSIX app attach application delivery to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Now MSIX app attach application packages can be assigned to VDI desktops in addition to RD Session Hosts. MSIX app attach lets administrators work more efficiently by dynamically adding, removing, and updating apps without installing the apps on the desktop image or Parallels RAS templates. -
Support for Nutanix AOS 6.5
Parallels RAS 19.1 supports the latest Nutanix AOS Long Term Supported (LTS) version for IT organizations that use Nutanix to automate provisioning, scaling, and power management of session host workloads. -
New policy search
The new Search capability in the Parallels RAS Management Console makes it faster and easier for administrators to find and configure available policies. -
New user experience reports
Monitor, troubleshoot, and enhance user experience with information from new preconfigured reports for Transport Protocol (TCP/UDP), Network Latency, Connection Quality, and Bandwidth Quality. IT administrators can now retrieve historic user session data to reveal areas where user experience can be improved. -
Parallels Client for Linux now supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Parallels Client for Linux extends its flexibility and connectivity with support for the latest Ubuntu LTS version, 22.04. -
New PowerShell cmdlets and REST APIs
PowerShell and REST APIs allow IT administrators to deploy and manage Parallels RAS using automation. The following list of PowerShell cmdlets and REST APIs are now available and reverse proxy can be used with REST APIs.- MSIX app attach: Deploy and configure MSIX app attach for RD Session Hosts and VDI desktops.
- Tenant Broker: Join Tenant to Tenant Broker and get Tenant Broker status.
- Logon Hours: Configure logon hour restrictions.
Parallels RAS 19
The release of new Parallels RAS 19 builds on the features and innovation that has earned it a reputation as a top-rated pick for delivering secure access to virtual applications and desktops on any device.
We’ve improved deployment flexibility and security while enhancing the simplicity and usability for administrators and end-users alike. Our goal is to enable enterprises, independent software vendors (ISVs), and managed service providers (MSPs) to be more agile and to extend their service offerings, all from a single management console.
Watch the on-demand webinar.
Highlights include:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a cloud provider
Parallels RAS 19 extends its list of supported cloud computing providers by integrating with Amazon EC2. Use Parallels RAS templates to deploy and auto scale instances on demand, directly on cloud, or via hybrid environments with a unified administrator and end-user experience. - MSIX app attach integration
Deliver the right application to the right user with Parallels RAS 19 MSIX app attach integration. Discover and import MSIX packages, use built-in version tags to simplify package updates, manage certificates used for package signing, and assign application packages to session hosts for dynamic application delivery. - Let's Encrypt certificate management
Parallels RAS 19 simplifies secure user access by integrating out-of-the-box SSL certificate creation with Let’s Encrypt—an award-winning global Certificate Authority (CA) that provides free SSL and TLS certificates. Parallels RAS 19 automates the renewal process and makes certificate management easy—you can issue, renew, and revoke certificates directly from the Parallels RAS Console. - Specific URL redirection
In addition to existing URL and mail redirection capabilities, Parallels RAS 19 now includes the ability to redirect specific URLs. Redirect from server to client to optimize end user device resource usage. For example, redirect to a local version of unified communication tools, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, to optimize audio and video delivery for calls and meetings. - Multiple Multi-factor authentication (MFA) providers
Administrators can now use multiple MFAs. No need to deploy different Parallels RAS environments—reuse the same resources and streamline the IT management. - Parallels Client for Windows on ARM64
The Parallels Client for Windows has been rebuilt and optimized to run natively on machines that use ARM64 processors, providing users of these lightweight systems with efficient access to their x86 and 64-bit applications. - Expression-based filtering and policies
Expression-based filtering uses a natural language format to reduce complexity for administrators while giving them more flexibility. Use expressions to set up rules and criteria for more granular management of user access, apply a Parallels RAS client connection policy to specified objects, set logon hours to restrict user access to farm resources, manage multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements, and more. - Power management
A key feature of running virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud is that businesses pay only for the computing resources they use. VDI VMs are typically used only during business hours. Parallels RAS power management enables administrators to set a schedule to power existing VMs on or off the supported provider platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Amazon EC2. - Email-based account discovery
Getting users connected to their virtual apps and desktops through a Parallels client is easier than ever. End users can now enter their email address to get connection details—they no longer need to enter a lengthy server address or URL for the farm. All native Parallels clients now support finding Parallels RAS farms by entering an email address. - Logon hours control
Support Right to Disconnect initiatives and tighten security by setting rules for logon hours. Parallels RAS 19 enables you to set logon hours for published resources. Use expression-based flexible rules to schedule access.
For a full list of features, refer to the Parallels RAS 19 release notes.