Unlike a powered-on machine in an automated pool with floating assignments, a powered-on machine in an automated pool with dedicated assignments is not necessarily available. It is available only if the machine is not assigned to a user.

Desktop Pool Settings for Automated Pool with Dedicated Assignments Example describes the dedicated-assignment, automated pool in this example.

Table 1. Desktop Pool Settings for Automated Pool with Dedicated Assignments Example
Desktop Pool Setting Value
Number of machines (minimum) 3
Number of machines (maximum) 5
Number of spare, powered-on machines 2
Remote machine power policy Always powered on

When this desktop pool is provisioned, three machines are created and powered on. If the machines are powered off in vCenter Server, they are immediately powered on again, according to the power policy.

After a user connects to a machine in the pool, the machine becomes permanently assigned to that user. After the user disconnects from the machine, the machine is no longer available to any other user. However, the Always powered on policy still applies. If the assigned machine is powered off in vCenter Server, it is immediately powered on again.

When another user connects, a second machine is assigned. Because the number of spare machines falls below the limit when the second user connects, another machine is created and powered on. An additional machine is created and powered on each time a new user is assigned until the maximum machine limit is reached.