Microsoft Azure Stack

Microsoft Azure Stack is a private and hybrid cloud platform that allows organizations to provide services clouds Azure from their own. DPCs Azure Stack is an extension of Azure that provides adaptability and efficiency cloud computing in local data centers, as well as allows you to create modern applications in hybrid cloud environments with the necessary level of flexibility, control and protection.

Hybrid Cloud and Application Capabilities

With the introduction of Azure Stack, along with Azure, customers get advanced application capabilities on the LAN:

• Peripherals and Local Solutions - You can meet the response time and connectivity requirements of new devices by processing data locally on the Azure Stack platform and then combining them into Azure for later analysis. At the same time, both platforms have a single application logic.
• Cloud applications that comply with various regulations: You can develop and implement applications in Azure, while having the ability to transfer them from the cloud at any time to your own computing power to comply with regulatory requirements or company policies without making changes to the source code (although Azure meets most requirements, Azure Stack allows you to run applications on company servers when necessary).
• Cloud applications on the company's own servers: you can use Azure web and mobile services, containers, server-free or microservice architectures to update or expand existing applications, as well as create new ones. You can use uniform DevOps processes in the Azure cloud and in Azure Stack on your own servers.

Introduction options

Azure Stack Integrated Systems

These multiserver systems are intended for commercial use and were designed specifically for the fastest possible deployment. Depending on your needs, customers can choose from integrated systems developed by Dell EMC, HPE or Lenovo (Cisco and Huawei will introduce their systems later). Now you can test certified hardware solutions and order integrated systems from Microsoft partners . These systems are fully operational, and all developers guarantee consistent and comprehensive client support. Initially, they will be available in 46 countries representing key global markets.

Azure Stack Development Kit (ASDK)

ASDK is a free single-server deployment tool designed to test and demonstrate the capabilities of a new platform. ASDK can already be downloaded here, and customers can use it to develop prototypes of their applications. The portal, Azure services, DevOps tools and Marketplace store content in this ASDK release and in integrated systems are the same, so the applications developed for this ASDK will work on multi-server systems.

2021: Plan to accelerate implementation of SAP cloud solutions based on Microsoft Azure Stack and CloudMTS

Microsoft in Russia, the Russian company for the provision of digital, media and telecommunications services MTS and the supplier of SAP corporate applications in the CIS agreed on a trilateral cooperation to develop the cloud market in Russia. The corresponding agreement of intent was signed on June 3, 2021 by SAP CIS CEO Andrei Filatov, Microsoft President in Russia Kristina Tikhonova and MTS President Vyacheslav Nikolaev.

The goal of cooperation is to accelerate the modernization of Russian business and increase its efficiency. SAP, MTS and Microsoft will combine technology and expertise to enable companies to optimize IT costs and implement SAP cloud solutions faster based on Microsoft Azure Stack and MTS cloud infrastructure located in Russia.

The Agreement involves work in the following areas:

• Build a combined team of experts to deploy cloud solutions based on SAP business applications, Microsoft technologies, and# CloudMTS cloud technologies.
• Joint development and expansion of Microsoft Azure Stack hybrid infrastructure in MTS data centers for hosting SAP cloud portfolio solutions in Russia to meet the needs of companies for scalable SAP services using# CloudMTS IT capacity.
• Joint implementation of pilot projects for Russian companies that will be able to access modern tools for managing business processes and services for their customization and integration based on SAP applications, the Microsoft Azure Stack family of technologies and the MTS cloud business.

It is planned that within the framework of the tripartite cooperation, SAP in the CIS will develop the possibility of launching its latest applications on the Microsoft Azure Stack platform, Microsoft in Russia will provide architectural and technological support for this opportunity, and the# CloudMTS cloud provider will provide the launch and infrastructure basis for future projects, as well as technological support for customers in a hybrid cloud environment.

The conclusion of the memorandum was a continuation of the global cooperation between Microsoft and SAP, which was announced in November 2017, as well as Microsoft's partnership with MTS in providing enterprise customers with hybrid cloud services based on Microsoft Azure Stack from MTS data centers located in Russia.

"It is critical for SAP to provide our customers with the right environment for digital transformation. Therefore, together with Microsoft and MTS, we want to offer the Russian market modern technological solutions that contribute to the development of their business. Using SAP solutions based on the Microsoft Azure Stack technology family from the# CloudMTS cloud offers a number of benefits. In particular, it allows you to accelerate the transition to modern technologies due to the instant availability of infrastructure for implementation, localized in Russia, "commented Andrei Filatov, CEO of SAP CIS.

"The cooperation of MTS, SAP and Microsoft will provide Russian business with the required technological solutions. Large enterprises - primarily from the fields of industry, finance and retail - will be able to implement complex digital projects faster and easier based on business tools developed jointly by the parties to the agreement. The development of solutions of global players in the MTS cloud infrastructure will give an additional incentive to digitalize a number of sectors of our country's economy, "commented Vyacheslav Nikolaev, President of MTS.

"The success of our company depends directly on the success of our customers. That is why partnership with SAP and MTS is so important for us: together we will be able to provide Russian companies with the latest cloud-based enterprise management tools based on the Microsoft Azure Stack family of technologies from the MTS cloud. This will give them the opportunity to reduce capital investments in the infrastructure necessary to maintain modern ERP systems, accelerate their deployment, easily configure them depending on tasks, as well as finalize them in accordance with the business logic of the organization, "said Kristina Tikhonova, President of Microsoft in Russia.

2020

Placement in Microsoft Azure Stack Hub blockchain platform Waves Enterprise

On July 16, 2020, it became known that Microsoft in Russia and the technology company Waves Enterprise agreed on strategic cooperation in the field of development and digital transformation in the corporate segment using blockchain solutions and cloud technologies. The corresponding agreement was signed by Kristina Tikhonova, President of Microsoft in Russia, and Alexander Ivanov, CEO of Web3 Technologies (developer of the Waves Enterprise platform).

As reported, the main areas of cooperation will be:

• Place Waves Enterprise in Microsoft Azure Marketplace. This will make Waves Enterprise available to a wide range of companies in Russia and around the world within Microsoft's global cloud ecosystem. Deploying from the cloud will significantly speed up the implementation process without requiring additional costs for your own infrastructure and configuration.
• Place Waves Enterprise in Microsoft Azure Stack Hub. More details here.

Access to Microsoft Azure data for Fujitsu Primeflex users

On January 14, 2020, Fujitsu announced the expansion of cooperation with Microsoft to support the implementation of infrastructure based on hybrid IT for the development of digital transformation. The solution will give Fujitsu PRIMEFLEX users direct access to their enterprise data stored on the Microsoft Azure platform, which will ensure uninterrupted operation within various ecosystems and synchronized access to working files outside individual systems. More details here.

2019: Primeflex для Microsoft Azure Stack

On May 22, 2019, Fujitsu announced that with the integrated PRIMEFLEX system for Microsoft Azure Stack, its customers can discover the full benefits of cloud computing - flexibility, even more complete cost control and a fast pace of innovation - even when processing local workloads. The system is already available for ordering and helps enterprises easily build fault-resistant and flexible hybrid environments to effectively manage their core systems. More details here.

2018

Azure and Office 365 platforms are formed by smart and universal computing. Azure is expanding the number of countries with certification. As part of Azure, more than 130 new opportunities have appeared over the past year, more than 70 new ones will be launched directly at the conference - such as Azure Stack.

Brands continue to expand the use of Azure, in the near future also expected to immerse in Azure Stack.

All-Flash Azure Stack for Hybrid Cloud Services

On October 22, 2018, Huawei and Microsoft introduced the Azure Stack all-flash solution to help accelerate hybrid cloud services and increase data reliability.

Besides program obespecheniyamicrosoft Azure Stack, the decision turns on the server of the corporate FusionServer 2288H V5 level, the solid-state store ES3000 V5 NVMe, kommutatorCloudEngine 6865 (CE6865 developed for networks of data-processing centers in relation to cloud computing) and the operating software of eSight.

The 2288H V5 service-oriented server can work with 24 Huawei ES3000 V5 NVMe SSDs. The all-flash NVMe SSD configuration provides higher I/O and read/write bandwidth than the hybrid SSD-HDD or all-HDD configuration. The ES3000 V5 NVMe solid-state drive includes the Huawei HiSilicon Hi1812E ASIC SSD controller and supports NVMe PCIe 3.0 and SAS 3.0 ports. Low latency of 14 ms, read capacity of up to 3.5 GB/s and write capacity of up to 3.2 GB/s, and 825 thousand and 300 thousand I/O operations guarantee high quality of service, the solution developers say.

The Huawei CE6865 is a high-performance 25GE high-density, low-latency switch designed for data centers. The CE6865 has a high port density of 48 25GE ports in the 1U form factor. It supports L2/L3 forwarding of 3200 Mb/s and up to eight 100GE high performance uplink ports. Due to the functionality of the data center, the CE6865 switch provides flexible interaction when creating non-blocking network platforms, thereby meeting the requirements for data centers in the era of cloud technologies, according to developers.

As noted in Huawei, the solution also includes the Huawei network manager eSight for efficient and unified server and switch management. The eSight Network Manager uses the Fault Management Diagnostic (DFM) technology developed by Huawei for intelligent and automated diagnosis and analysis of CPU failures, as well as PCIe memory and card, which improves overall operational and management efficiency.

Azure Stack - Provides cloud flexibility and rapid innovation in your local environment and enables customers to run Azure cloud services in their data centers, addressing security and network latency issues in some application scenarios. The solution meets the strict requirements of security and compliance with regulations of various countries and industries. By integrating software and hardware into a hyperconvergent infrastructure, Azure Stack provides turnkey access to enable enterprises and service providers to run and operate cloud applications. Huawei-Microsoft all-flash Azure Stack, which is based on Azure Stack, creates more efficient data processing and storage functionality for customers, which helps them accelerate digital transformation.

Battle for Pentagon mega-contract: Microsoft released Azure Stack services for government agencies

In August 2018, Microsoft launched Azure Stack services for government agencies. This happened a month before the US Department of Defense will have to choose a contractor for a $10 billion cloud contract.

The integrated Microsoft Azure Stack system, which is an extension of the infrastructure of the global cloud platform for Microsoft Azure business, allows government customers and other customers to access IaaS, PaaS services and unified application development tools.

Microsoft launched Azure Stack services for government agencies

Thanks to the availability of Azure Stack for Microsoft Azure Government, government agencies, using their existing infrastructure, will be able to exchange data on different platforms. This integration provides consistent connections to Azure Government through identification, subscription, billing, backup, disaster recovery, and Azure Marketplace.

It will also allow government customers to easily use and move between public, state and local clouds depending on their needs.

In addition, Microsoft conducted a thorough evaluation to accelerate FedRAMP High certification for Azure Government workloads running on Azure Stack.

According to GeekWire, certificates like FedRAMP High are key conditions for companies claiming to win a tender called Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI), in which the Pentagon introduces cloud services to support military systems. More details here. 

The availability of this kind of unique hybrid solution offers government customers a wide range of options for using the solution for critical purposes. Moreover, it doesn't matter how difficult this task is - whether you need to make tactical decisions in real time or make an effective modernization of outdated applications, "said Natalia Mackevicius, head of Microsoft Azure Stack, commenting on the launch of Azure Stack for Azure Government.[1]

Launch of services based on Azure Stack from MTS data centers in Russia

The telecommunications operator and digital services provider MTS and Microsoft Corporation on August 13, 2018 announced the first launch of cloud services based on Microsoft Azure Stack in Russia. Services based on the system are deployed by a team of technical specialists of the cloud provider# CloudMTC and the MTS subsidiary system integrator Envizhn Group. Using the offered services, corporate customers will be able to reduce the cost of developing their own solutions and accelerate the launch of products to domestic and international markets. More details here.

Expanding Integration with Commvault Software

Commvault on April 18, 2018 announced the expansion of integration with Microsoft Azure Stack, which will make it easier for corporations to migrate, manage, protect and activate data in Azure Stack, the public area of ​ ​ Microsoft Azure, the Azure Government Cloud and other cloud hybrid infrastructures. Commvault Data Platform provides Azure Stack cloud-based enterprises with management tools to accelerate digital business transformation initiatives, helping them increase flexibility and reduce risk. More details here.

Announcement of local Azure version for government customers

On March 5, 2018, Microsoft announced a service that will allow government customers to run their cloud services on their own servers. The new decision should make Azure a more attractive platform for local authorities and federal departments, the Reuters news agency reports.

Microsoft's new proposal is that users of the Azure Government cloud (organized to support strategic government scenarios for government organizations) will be able to run Azure Stack in their data centers. Such a product is aimed at government customers who actively use local servers, for example, during military operations or at embassies abroad, said Tom Keane, director of global infrastructure at Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft announced a service that will allow government customers to run their cloud services on their own servers

Literally, we developed Azure Stack with a submarine script... Azure Stack will allow government customers to freely use and move among public, state and local clouds in order to quickly respond to geopolitical events and cybersecurity threats, he said.

Azure Stack integration with Azure Government is scheduled for mid-2018. In which regions the new service will be available, Microsoft does not specify.

Tom Kin only noted that it is planned to expand the availability of Azure Government into two more regions, as a result of which the total number of regions in which cloud data centers for government customers are deployed will increase to eight.

Competition in the segment of cloud services for the public sector is increasing. Analysts interviewed by Reuters report that Amazon quickly became a leader, gaining many large customers, such as the CIA, with whom a contract for $600 million was signed at one time. Microsoft is reducing the backlog thanks to the development of the Azure direction and established ties with government agencies.^[2]

2017

Azure Stack is now in Russia

Azure Stack is not only a hybrid cloud solution, but also a platform for hyper-convergent infrastructure, on which it is possible to create distributed solutions for the industrial Internet of Things and industrial blockchain. The appearance of Azure Stack in Russia is a confirmation of the demand for these scenarios by business and should contribute to their development Azure^[3].

Azure Stack is an extension of Azure, however, the customer will fully control both the use of local capacity and Azure's public cloud. He will be able to choose where to deploy a new instance of a virtual machine, where to store data - in his own or partner data center in Russia or in one of 42 Azure regions around the world.

With the advent of Azure Stack, the ability to comply with the law on personal data becomes even greater, and they are even easier to implement. Azure Stack is installed in the data center of the customer or his partner in Russia, and all actions with data can be carried out in it.

Azure Stack is available to customers

On July 10, 2017, Microsoft, together with Dell EMC Device Development Partners, HPE announced the availability of Microsoft Azure Stack technology for customers.

Azure Stack is an extension of Azure to increase the flexibility, responsiveness, and modernization of cloud computing in local data centers and allows you to create a single seamless platform for a hybrid cloud. It enables hybrid cloud scenarios. In general, this is a hybrid cloud platform. It targets users who need flexibility without having to have multiple versions of the same application. Azure Stack provides access to modern cloud applications that meet all business requirements, from Azure data centers to end devices. Integrated Azure Stack systems help businesses implement cloud strategy faster and in the most convenient way.

Azure Stack TP3

On March 7, 2017, Microsoft announced the release of the latest preliminary version (TP3) for the Azure Stack platform. Upgrade infrastructure and security settings as part of the upgrade.

Features introduced in Azure Stack TP3 have affected infrastructure, security and connectivity, complementing platform functionality^[4].

Screenshot of the software window, (2016)

The test assembly is available for download and provides the ability to install with ADFS, support for scaling sets (Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets) and D-series virtual machines, the ability to add solutions from Azure Marketplace to Azure Stack. Companies can now deploy and create Azure-compliant temporary disk templates to leverage advanced infrastructure management capabilities.

2016: Microsoft Azure Stack

Microsoft Azure Stack is a set of tools for creating a hybrid Azure infrastructure in the company's datacenter.

On January 26, 2016, Microsoft released a technology preview of the Microsoft Azure Stack TP1 package. The product is similar to the Azure Pack, but no more.

Some companies make extensive use of Azure's capabilities by linking administrative procedures and interfaces to cloud infrastructure, but cannot move services entirely to the public cloud. Services remaining in the enterprise datacenter have to be "attached" to the Azure infrastructure, which creates difficulties in administration.

Microsoft Azure Stack helps you get your own Azure at the company's data center and manage your hybrid infrastructure as one:

Representation of differences between Microsoft Azure Stack and Microsoft Azure (2016)

Microsoft introduced its own concept of a cloud - this is not a place where data or services are located, but a set of methods for managing virtual resources based on various interfaces.

Technologically, Azure Stack is a set of virtual machines, each of which processes a set of Azure cloud services:

Azure Stack Service Presentation (2016)

By using Azure Resource Manager as a high-level software, you can manage your cloud infrastructure without going into the details of your own resources or cloud.

Notes