# Manage providers (VDI) Read this section to learn how to modify the configuration of a Provider in Parallels RAS. ## **Configure a Provider** To configure an existing Provider: 1. In the RAS Console, navigate to **Farm > Site > Providers**. . 2. In the **Providers** tab, select a Provider and click **Tasks** > **Properties**. The **Properties** dialog opens. {% hint style="info" %} **Note:** Some of the properties described below may be unavailable on some hosts. This depends on the Provider type. {% endhint %} ## **Enable or disable a Provider in Site** By default a Provider is enabled. To enable or disable a Provider, use the **Enable provider in site** option on the **General** tab. ## **Properties: configure Provider connection settings** The **General** tab has different properties depending on whether it's a hypervisor-based or cloud-based provider. ## **Hypervisor Provider:** * **Type:** Provider type. * **Subtype:** Hypervisor version. If the hypervisor version that you are using is not listed, select **Other**. * **Host:** The Provider host IP address. * **Port:** Port number on which the Provider listens for incoming connections. * **Resource pool:** This field is enabled for VMware vCenter only. If you've specified a vCenter resource pool while adding a Provider, the pool will be displayed here. The **\[...]** button allows you to specify a different pool (or select one if the field is empty), but only if no hosts from the current pool have been created or used in Parallels RAS in any way. If Parallels RAS detects any current usage, you will see a warning message and will not be able to change it. If you still want to select a different resource pool, you'll have manually do a full clean up in the RAS Console, so that no usage of any kind exists. * **Description:** An optional description. * **Dedicated Provider Agent:** Select this option if you have a dedicated RAS Provider Agent installed on a different host. Enter the host FQDN or IP address in the **Agent address** field. ## **Cloud-based Provider:** * **Type:** Cloud-based Provider type (e.g. Microsoft Azure). * **Name:** Provider name. * **Description:** An optional description. * **Credentials:** Credentials for the account used for installing RAS Guest Agent. * **Dedicated Provider Agent:** Select this option if you have a dedicated RAS Provider Agent installed on a different host. Enter the host FQDN or IP address in the **Agent address** field. For description of the remaining properties of Microsoft Azure, please see [**Add Microsoft Azure as a Provider**](/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/add-a-provider/add-a-cloud-provider/microsoft-azure/add-microsoft-azure-as-a-provider.md). ## **Credentials: configure username and password** The **Credentials** tab has different properties depending on whether it's a hypervisor-based or cloud-based host. ## **Hypervisor Provider:** * Specify the username and password to log in to the Provider. Click the **Check Credentials** button to verify the credentials that you've entered. ## **Cloud-based Provider:** * See [**Add Microsoft Azure as a Provider**](/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/add-a-provider/add-a-cloud-provider/microsoft-azure/add-microsoft-azure-as-a-provider.md) or [**Adding AWS as a Provider**](/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/add-a-provider/add-a-cloud-provider/amazon-web-services/step-2.-adding-aws-as-a-provider.md)**.** ## **Advanced** The **Advanced** tab allows you to configure a provider to automatically change the type of the used managed disk to Standard HDD for VMs that are not currently in use. When a VM is started, the managed disk is automatically changed to the original type. This feature allows you to reduce the cost of maintaining VMs. To enable disk storage cost optimization: 1. Right-click a provider in the list and choose **Properties**. 2. In the provider properties window, select the **Advanced** tab. 3. Select the **Enable disk storage cost optimization** option. 4. Select the desired option in the **Set timeout before enabling storage cost optimization** drop-down list. ## **MAC addresses** This tab is only displayed for Microsoft Hyper-V Failover Cluster as the Provider. It is used to enable or disable MAC address management for hosts. For more information, please see [**Add a hypervisor host**](https://download.parallels.com/ras/v19/docs/en_US/Parallels-RAS-19-Administrators-Guide/44579.htm) (read the description of the step where the MAC address management is configured). Please note that MAC address management is available in Parallels RAS since version 18. In new Parallels RAS 18 installations, this functionality is enabled by default when a Provider of type Microsoft Hyper-V Failover Cluster is added to a farm. In older Parallels RAS versions, the functionality is disabled for existing Providers, but is enabled by default when a new Provider is added. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi/manage-vdi/manage-providers-vdi.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.