# Persistent hosts

A host is called persistent when it is assigned to a particular user or device. To make a host persistent, do the following:

1. Begin publishing a desktop or a resource from a host.
2. When specifying **Virtual Guest Settings** options, select **Enable static assignment to host**.
3. Complete the publishing wizard.
4. As a result, the VM will be assigned to the first user or device who uses a desktop or a resource. For information on how to switch between user and device assignments see section [**Site defaults (VDI)**](/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/site-defaults-vdi.md), subsection "General".

You can also manually assign a host to a user or device. To do so:

1. Navigate to **Farm** > \<Site> > **VDI** > **Desktops**.
2. Select a host and click **Tasks** > **Assign**. You can assign a host to a user or device. For information on how to switch between user and device assignments see section [**Site defaults (VDI)**](/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/site-defaults-vdi.md), subsection "General".
3. To assign to a user, specify the user registered in Active Directory.
4. To assign to a device, select one of the following options:
   * **Add from Active Director** allows you to add a device joined to a domain in Active Directory.
   * **Add from known device** allows you to add a device known to RAS Device Manager.
   * **Add custom entry** allows you to input the device name manually
5. As a result, the host will be assigned to the selected user.

To view persistent hosts, navigate to **Farm** > \<Site> > **VDI** > **Desktops**. A persistent host is identified by the **Persistent** value in the **Assignment** column.

To remove persistence from a host, do one of the following:

* Select a host on the **Desktops** tab and then click **Tasks** > **Unassign**.
* Navigate to **Farm** > \<Site> > **VDI** > **Desktops** and click **Tasks** > **Site defaults.** In the dialog that opens, use the **Auto remove persistence if host was not used for** option to select the time period after which persistence should be automatically removed. You can also type any desired time period, such as "1 week 3 days".


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