Posted On: Oct 26, 2023

Today, AWS announces multi-session capability for Amazon AppStream 2.0 fleets powered by Microsoft Windows server operating system. This new feature enables IT admins to host multiple end-user sessions on a single AppStream 2.0 instance, helping to make better use of instance resources.

By allowing multiple users to share compute, memory, and storage resources associated with a given AppStream 2.0 instance, multi-session capability improves resource utilization and reduces operation cost per user compared to a one-to-one user-to-instance arrangement. In addition, IT admins can adjust the number of users on each instance, helping them optimize and “fine tune” performance and resource utilization. AppStream 2.0 multi-session fleets include out-of-the-box support for auto scaling and performance monitoring functions to match available resources with user demand and track the utilization of underlying resources.

To set up AppStream 2.0 multi-session instances, simply create an AppStream 2.0 AlwaysOn or OnDemand fleet with multi-session capability, by specifying the cloud instance type, operating system image, and the number user sessions on a single instance. Multi-session streaming instances are charged hourly. Please see Amazon AppStream 2.0 Pricing for more information. Multi-session fleets are available in all AWS Regions where AppStream 2.0 is offered.