Azure Environment: linked networks and resource groups

Nerdio Manager allows you to select or create virtual networks to use when adding desktop images, host pools, and session hosts. The Azure region of a given network determines the location of any VM created in that network.

You can also link resource groups that may contain session host VMs and desktop images.

Note: You can also set the default network and resource group for Nerdio Managerto use when creating a new desktop image, host pool, or session host. You can override these defaults during the creation process.

Manage linked networks

Nerdio Manager allows you to link, unlink, and create networks for use in creating new desktop images, host pools, and session hosts.

To link an existing network:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked networks tile, select Link Azure Network or Link Azure Local Network.

  3. From the drop-down list, select the subnet(s) you want to link.

  4. Select OK.

    You have made the specified network(s) available for use when creating new desktop images, host pools, and session hosts.

To create and link a new network:

Notes:

  • For a deeper dive into the parameters and settings available for your network, see the Microsoft Learn article Create, change, or delete a virtual network.

  • Some of the optional configuration objects that you can create alongside the network may require further editing in the Azure portal.

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked networks tile, select Create Azure Network.

  3. Enter the following information:

    • Resource group: Select the Azure resource group you want the network to use from the drop-down list.

    • Region: Select an available region from the drop-down list. VMs that use this network will be created in the network you select.

    • Virtual network name: Enter a display name for the virtual network.

    • Enable IPv6: Choose whether the virtual network will support IPv6 addressing.

    • IP Range: Use CIDR notation to enter an IP address range in either the IPv4 or IPv6 address space, depending on whether your network supports IPv6.

    • Subnet Name: Enter a subnet display name.

    • Subnet: Specify a subnet address in the range you specified above.

    • Enable private subnet: Choose this setting to disable default outbound access and require outbound internet access to be explicitly granted to VMs on the network.

      Note: On September 30, 2025, default outbound access for new deployments will be retired. For more information, see the official announcement, and Microsoft's guidance on transitioning from default outbound access to an explicit method of public connectivity. We recommend that you use a NAT gateway (see below) to provide outbound internet access to the network.

    • NAT Gateway: Select an existing NAT gateway from the drop-down list, or enter a name to create a new one. The NAT gateway will be created along with the network.

    • Network Security Group: Optionally, select a network security group from the drop-down list to associate it with the network, or enter a name to create a new one. The network security group will be created along with the network.

    • Route Table: Optionally, select a route table from the drop-down list to associate it with the network, or enter a name to create a new one. The route table will be created along with the network.

    • Custom tags: Optionally, enter the names and values of any custom metadata tags you want to associate with the network.

  4. Click OK. The network and any associated configuration objects are created.

To unlink a network:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked networks tile, locate the network you want to unlink.

  3. In the Actions column, select the Unlink icon .

  4. When prompted, select OK to confirm the operation.

    Note: Resources deleted in the Azure portal outside of Nerdio Manager do not prevent unlinking of certain networks. Unlinking can be forced even if there are "orphan" objects that still refer to the network.

To set the default network:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked networks tile, locate the network you want to make the default.

  3. In the Actions column, select the Set as default icon .

Manage linked resource groups

Nerdio Manager allows you to link, unlink, and create resource groups for use in creating new desktop images, host pools, and session hosts.

To link a resource group:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Azure Environment.

  2. In the Linked resource groups tile, select Link.

  3. From the drop-down list, select the resource group(s) you want to link.

  4. Select OK.

    You have made the specified resource group(s) available for use when creating new desktop images, host pools, and session hosts.

To unlink a resource group:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked resource groups tile, locate the resource group you want to unlink.

  3. In the Actions column, select the Unlink icon .

  4. When prompted, select OK to confirm the operation.

    Note: Resources deleted in the Azure portal outside of Nerdio Manager do not prevent unlinking of certain resource groups. Unlinking can be forced even if there are "orphan" objects that still refer to the resource group.

To set the default resource group:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Environment, and select the Azure blade.

  2. In the Linked resource groups tile, locate the resource group you want to make the default.

  3. In the Actions column, select the Set as default icon .