Host pool properties are the central location for configuring key performance settings in Azure Virtual Desktop. This includes the load-balancing algorithm, which determines how user sessions are distributed across session hosts. You can choose breadth-first to spread users out for better individual performance or depth-first to consolidate users for application performance and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the host pool's RDP Properties tab allows for fine-tuning the remote session experience (e.g., display configuration, device redirection), which directly impacts perceived user performance. These settings provide direct control over the primary factors influencing AVD performance.

A. Load balancing for each session host: Load balancing is a setting configured at the host pool level to manage session distribution across all hosts within that pool, not on an individual session host basis.
B. Scaling plan for the host pool: A scaling plan is primarily a cost-optimization and availability tool that automates starting and stopping session hosts. While it indirectly affects performance, it doesn't directly tune the user session experience.
C. Properties for each session host: This is too general. While individual VM properties like size impact performance, "properties for each session host" is not a specific AVD configuration group for performance tuning like host pool properties are.

1. Microsoft Learn

Configure the Azure Virtual Desktop load-balancing method. This document explicitly states

"You can configure the load-balancing algorithm on a host pool..." It details the breadth-first and depth-first methods

which are fundamental performance settings. This confirms load balancing is a host pool property.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/configure-host-pool-load-balancing

Section: "Prerequisites" and "Configure breadth-first load balancing".

2. Microsoft Learn

RDP properties for Azure Virtual Desktop. This source clarifies that settings to optimize the remote session's graphical performance and responsiveness are configured at the host pool level.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/rdp-properties

Section: "How to customize RDP properties for a host pool". The text states

"To customize RDP properties for a host pool using the Azure portal...".

3. Microsoft Learn

Azure CLI: az desktopvirtualization hostpool update. The command-line interface documentation for updating a host pool lists parameters such as --load-balancer-type and --custom-rdp-property

confirming that these performance-related settings are properties of the host pool.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/desktopvirtualization/hostpool?view=azure-cli-latest#az-desktopvirtualization-hostpool-update

Section: "Parameters".