In the dynamic world of cloud computing, Microsoft has recently rebranded Azure Stack HCI to Azure Local.  This change aims to unify the distributed infrastructure portfolio under a single brand, making it easier for organizations to understand and leverage these powerful tools.  In this blog, we'll explore the differences between Azure Stack HCI and Azure Local, both technically and non-technically, and highlight real use cases, benefits, and who needs these solutions.

 

What is Azure Stack HCI?

Azure Stack HCI (Hyper-Converged Infrastructure) is a hybrid cloud solution that allows organizations to run Azure services on-premises. It combines compute, storage, and networking on industry-standard hardware, providing a seamless integration with Azure for management, monitoring, and updates. Azure Stack HCI is designed for organizations that need to keep data local for compliance, security, or latency reasons while still benefiting from Azure's cloud capabilities.

 

What is Azure Local?

Azure Local is the new name for Azure Stack HCI, introduced to create a unified brand for Microsoft's distributed infrastructure solutions.  Azure Local continues to offer the same functionalities as Azure Stack HCI, allowing organizations to run Azure services on-premises. The rebranding does not affect existing deployments, configurations, or integrations, ensuring a smooth transition for current users.

 

Why the Rebranding?

The rebranding from Azure Stack HCI to Azure Local is more than just a name change. It reflects Microsoft's commitment to providing a seamless and integrated hybrid cloud experience. Here are some key reasons behind this rebranding:

• Unified Branding: By consolidating its distributed infrastructure solutions under the Azure Local brand, Microsoft creates a more straightforward and cohesive identity. This helps organizations quickly grasp the capabilities and benefits of these solutions without confusion.
  
  
• Enhanced Clarity: The new name, Azure Local, clearly communicates the solution's purpose—bringing Azure services closer to where data is generated and consumed. This clarity helps organizations understand the value proposition of running Azure services on-premises.
  
  
• Streamlined Adoption: With a unified brand, Microsoft aims to streamline the adoption process for organizations. Whether they are new to hybrid cloud solutions or existing users of Azure Stack HCI, the transition to Azure Local is designed to be smooth and intuitive.

Key Differences Between Azure Stack HCI and Azure Local:

While the core functionalities of Azure Stack HCI remain intact under the new Azure Local brand, there are some notable differences and enhancements. Let's explore these differences both technically and non-technically:

 

Comparison Table: Azure Stack HCI vs. Azure Local

Feature	Azure Stack HCI	Azure Local
Name	Azure Stack HCI	Azure Local
Functionality	Hybrid cloud solution	Hybrid cloud solution
Integration	Seamless with Azure	Seamless with Azure
Management	Azure Portal, Windows Admin Center	Azure Portal, Windows Admin Center
Compliance	Local data storage for compliance	Local data storage for compliance
Security	Enhanced on-premises security	Enhanced on-premises security
Latency	Low latency for critical apps	Low latency for critical apps
Edge Computing	Supported	Supported
Rebranding Impact	None	Unified branding
VM Support	Windows and Linux VMs	Windows and Linux VMs
Container Support	Yes	Yes
Software-Defined Storage	Storage Spaces Direct	Storage Spaces Direct
Networking	Software-Defined Networking	Software-Defined Networking
Hardware Options	Integrated systems, validated nodes	Integrated systems, validated nodes
Azure Services Integration	Azure Backup, Azure Monitor, Azure Security Center	Azure Backup, Azure Monitor, Azure Security Center
Kubernetes Support	Integrated Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)	Integrated Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Disconnected Operations	No	Yes (Preview)
Flexibility for Deployments	Suitable for larger deployments	Supports both small and large deployments
Support for More Hardware	Limited to specific hardware	Supports a wider range of hardware
Support for New Azure Services	Limited	Enhanced support for new Azure services

Technical Enhancements:

• Disconnected Operations: Azure Local introduces support for disconnected operations, allowing organizations to deploy and manage Azure services without a continuous connection to the Azure public cloud. This is particularly beneficial for remote or isolated locations with limited network infrastructure.
  
  
• Support for More Hardware: Azure Local expands support for a wider range of hardware options, providing greater flexibility for organizations to choose the best-fit infrastructure for their needs.
  
  
• New Azure Services: Azure Local offers enhanced support for new Azure services, ensuring that organizations can leverage the latest innovations and capabilities from Microsoft.

 

Non-Technical Enhancements:

• Simplified Branding: The rebranding to Azure Local simplifies the messaging and positioning of Microsoft's hybrid cloud solutions, making it easier for organizations to understand and adopt.
  
  
• Improved User Experience: With a unified brand, Microsoft aims to provide a more consistent and intuitive user experience, from initial deployment to ongoing management and support.

 

 

Real Use Cases and Benefits:

Azure Local is ideal for various scenarios where organizations need to run Azure services on-premises. Here are some real use cases and benefits:
 

• Data Sovereignty and Compliance: Organizations in regulated industries, such as healthcare and finance, often need to keep data within specific geographic boundaries. Azure Local allows them to comply with these regulations while leveraging Azure's cloud capabilities.
  
  
• Low Latency Applications: For applications that require low latency, such as real-time data processing or high-frequency trading, running services on-premises with Azure Local ensures minimal latency and high performance.
  
  
• Enhanced Security: Organizations with stringent security requirements can benefit from Azure Local by keeping sensitive data on-premises while still using Azure's advanced security features for management and monitoring.
  
  
• Edge Computing: Azure Local is perfect for edge computing scenarios where data needs to be processed close to the source, such as in manufacturing plants, retail stores, or remote locations. This reduces latency and bandwidth usage while ensuring real-time data processing.
  
  
• Disconnected Operations: Azure Local supports disconnected operations, allowing organizations to deploy and manage Azure services without a connection to the Azure public cloud. This is particularly useful for remote or isolated locations with limited network infrastructure.

Who Needs Azure Local?

Azure Local is suitable for a wide range of organizations, including:

• Enterprises with Compliance Requirements: Companies that need to adhere to strict data sovereignty and compliance regulations.
• Industries Requiring Low Latency: Sectors like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing that require real-time data processing.
• Organizations with Security Concerns: Businesses that need to keep sensitive data on-premises for enhanced security.
• Edge Computing Scenarios: Companies that need to process data close to the source for efficiency and performance.
• Remote or Isolated Locations: Organizations operating in areas with limited or no internet connectivity can benefit from Azure Local's support for disconnected operations.

 

Enhancing Azure Local with Hybr®:

Hybr® is a white-labelled multi-tenant multi-cloud management platform that offers a single-pane-of-glass portal experience for provisioning, managing, and billing resources across on-prem, hybrid, and public clouds. By integrating seamlessly with Azure Local, formerly known as Azure Stack HCI, Hybr provides a unified management experience that simplifies the resources deployment, monitoring, and billing processes. One of the key advantages of Hybr is its ability to manage both on-premises and cloud resources through a single pane of glass, offering organizations greater control and visibility over their infrastructure.

 

Hybr solution could help your business deliver Azure Stack HCI as a multi-tenanted cloud service. It can serve as your centralized platform to offer Azure Stack HCI services to customers on a self-service basis with seamless billing while maintaining multi-tenancy. This capability is particularly beneficial for service providers and enterprises looking to offer Azure Stack HCI as a service, enabling them to efficiently manage multiple tenants while ensuring resource isolation and security.

 

For more detailed information on how Hybr complements Azure Local (formerly known as Azure Stack HCI) and to explore its full range of features, visit its landing page here:  Hybr for Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI

 

Additionally, Hybr enhances the user experience by offering insightful dashboards and comprehensive reports that streamline the management of Azure Local.  This intuitive interface enables IT, sales, and billing teams to effortlessly monitor performance, identify issues, and make informed data-driven decisions.

 

Conclusion:

Azure Local, formerly known as Azure Stack HCI, continues to provide a robust hybrid cloud solution for organizations needing to run Azure services on-premises. The rebranding simplifies the understanding and adoption of Microsoft's distributed infrastructure solutions, offering numerous benefits for compliance, low latency, security, edge computing, and disconnected operations. By leveraging Azure Local, organizations can achieve a seamless integration with Azure, ensuring efficient and secure operations.

 

If you're considering Azure Local for your organization, it's a powerful tool that can help you meet your specific needs while benefiting from the best of both on-premises and cloud environments.