Microsoft Ignite 2024 brought several exciting announcements, but one of the most significant was undoubtedly Azure Local. This is not merely a rebranding of Azure Stack HCI; it is a platform that redefines how we think about hybrid and on-premises infrastructures. Azure Local is designed to bring the essence of the cloud directly to local datacenters, offering a rich experience highly integrated with Azure services. With a suite of innovative features and a flexible approach, Azure Local promises to redefine the future of local infrastructures. Below, we explore all the updates on this solution.
A Name that Reflects a Vision
The name Azure Local is straightforward and on point. It represents the idea of having core Azure services—compute, networking, storage, and applications—available directly in local datacenters. This vision materializes through a cloud-connected platform that offers flexibility, scalability, and operational control.
Hardware: Choice, Flexibility, and New Opportunities
One of the most intriguing features of Azure Local is its wide range of supported hardware. With over 100 validated platforms, including major vendors like Dell and Lenovo, businesses can select solutions that best meet their needs and budget. Compatibility with GPUs like Nvidia A2, A16, and L40 makes Azure Local ideal for advanced workloads like artificial intelligence and virtual desktops.
Cost-Effective Options for the Edge
For environments with lighter compute requirements or tighter budgets, Azure Local supports micro, tower, and rugged hardware. This is a great opportunity for companies operating in edge or industrial environments. The minimum requirements include a compatible machine with an additional SSD and a 1 Gbps Ethernet network, eliminating the need for expensive switches. These options open new possibilities for deployments in remote or hard-to-reach locations, ensuring performance and consistency even in challenging operating conditions.
Simplified Provisioning
Thanks to the FIDO Device Onboard (FDO) protocol, onboarding machines is automated, greatly simplifying the activation of new edge nodes or IoT devices. This approach eliminates the need for complex manual interventions, making infrastructure deployment faster and more efficient.
Identity Management: With or Without Active Directory
Azure Local introduces long-awaited flexibility in identity management. If you don’t want to use on-premises Active Directory, the new “Local Identity” feature is available. This solution uses local accounts and certificates while retaining advanced functionalities like live VM migration. Additionally, local secrets are safeguarded with Azure Key Vault, ensuring high security levels even without external identity systems.
Centralized Management and Monitoring
One of Azure Local’s key strengths is its integration with Azure Arc, which extends Azure services to on-premises and other cloud environments. Infrastructure management happens directly from the Azure portal, where you can configure clusters, networking, and storage. For those seeking operational consistency, Azure Local allows configurations to be defined using ARM (Azure Resource Manager) templates, ensuring scalable and repeatable management. Furthermore, the Infrastructure-as-Code approach simplifies deployment in distributed environments, ensuring consistency and reducing errors.
Simplified Updates
Azure Local software updates come in a single monthly package, including drivers, firmware, and software stacks. This method enables sequential updates of physical machines while ensuring workload continuity. The ability to automatically orchestrate updates in multi-node environments is a significant advantage for organizations needing to minimize downtime.
Integrated Monitoring
Azure Local integrates natively with Azure Monitor, providing a unified view of all distributed resources. With over 50 standard metrics, preconfigured dashboards, and alert rules, businesses can monitor CPU, memory, storage, and network usage, setting up email notifications or automated actions in case of failures. Furthermore, data collection rules can be customized, and advanced dashboards can be created via Workbooks.
Figure 2 – Centralized visibility across all your locations
New Features and Services
Azure Local doesn’t stop at enhancing infrastructure—it also introduces new features and services that expand its usability.
Figure 3 – Azure Apps, Data, and AI in Azure Local
Migration from VMware
For organizations looking to move away from VMware, Azure Local offers a migration solution (in preview) via Azure Migrate. This tool enables the transfer of VMDKs to Azure Local, eliminating dependence on Broadcom and its associated costs. The migration process uses the same portal and APIs as Azure, ensuring a seamless experience for those already familiar with Azure tools.
Figure 4 – Migrating from VMware to Azure Local
PaaS and AI Services
Azure Local enables the use of Azure PaaS services like Azure Virtual Desktop and SQL Managed Instance. Additionally, the new Azure IoT Operations service provides a unified platform for edge data collection and analysis. For companies interested in AI, Azure Local introduces local AI search capabilities (preview) that leverage advanced language models to analyze on-premises data. This innovation opens new opportunities for process automation and data valorization.
Figure 5 – Azure AI Services with Azure Local
Disconnected Operations
For customers who cannot connect to the cloud due to regulatory or other reasons, Azure Local offers a disconnected option (in preview). In this configuration, Azure services, including the portal and Azure Resource Manager, are hosted locally, ensuring a consistent experience even without connectivity.
Figure 6 – Disconnected operations
Advanced Security
Security is a cornerstone of Azure Local, with new features enhancing resource protection.
Network Security Groups (NSG)
This functionality allows granular access rules between resources, filtering traffic based on parameters like source IP, port, and protocol. NSGs offer precise control over network traffic, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Figure 7 – Network Security Group in Azure Local
Trusted Launch
Azure Local introduces Trusted Launch, which protects VMs from rootkits and bootkits through Secure Boot and BitLocker encryption. This feature also ensures secure VM migration within the cluster, preserving data integrity and enhancing infrastructure resilience. Azure’s attestation services will also provide continuous system integrity monitoring, offering advanced security and visibility.
Getting Started
Existing Customers
Existing Azure Stack HCI customers need to do nothing—software updates will ensure a smooth transition to Azure Local, granting immediate access to new features.
New Installations
Azure Local is available in version 2411 for new deployments.
Virtual Sandbox
For those wanting to try Azure Local without dedicated hardware, Azure Arc Jumpstart offers a virtual sandbox environment, accessible via an Azure subscription. This option is ideal for testing features before deploying in production environments.
Conclusion
Microsoft Ignite 2024 highlighted a significant milestone in the hybrid infrastructure landscape with Azure Local. It’s not just an evolution of Azure Stack HCI but a platform that redefines how businesses leverage the cloud in their datacenters. With a focus on flexibility, integration, and security, Azure Local combines the best of the on-premises and cloud worlds, enabling organizations to adopt a truly connected and coherent hybrid strategy.
Its distinctive features, such as simplified provisioning, centralized management with Azure Arc, and support for disconnected scenarios, make it an ideal solution for addressing complex business needs.
Moreover, its attention to specific workloads like AI and virtual desktops, along with advanced security features like Trusted Launch and NSGs, strengthens Azure Local’s ability to adapt to diverse operational contexts.
Azure Local represents a significant step toward the future of hybrid infrastructures, delivering a seamless cloud experience directly to local datacenters. For both existing and new customers, this solution marks the beginning of a new era in IT resource management, bringing the cloud closer to business needs.
