Azure Stack HCI (Hyper-Converged Infrastructure) is a cutting-edge solution from Microsoft that combines the power of on-premises infrastructure with the flexibility and scalability of the cloud. This article delves into what Azure Stack HCI is, its key features and improvements in the latest version, how to migrate to it, and an overview of the Azure Stack HCI Jumpstart project.

Digitalux provides support for Azure Stack HCI deployments and migrations. From initial planning and assessment to seamless execution and post-migration support, we ensure a smooth transition every step of the way. Whether you’re migrating from VMware or setting up a new Azure Stack HCI environment, we have the expertise and tools to help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively.

What is Azure Stack HCI?

Azure Stack HCI is a hyper-converged infrastructure solution that integrates compute, storage, and networking into a single, easy-to-manage system. It allows organizations to run virtualized workloads on-premises while leveraging Azure services for hybrid capabilities such as cloud-based monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery.

Key Features and Improvements in the Latest Version

The latest version of Azure Stack HCI, version 23H2, brings several new features and improvements:

1. Cloud-Based Deployment and Updates: Simplifies the deployment and updating process by leveraging cloud-based tools and services.
2. Enhanced Security: Introduces new security features, including improved encryption and authentication mechanisms.
3. Arc VM Management: Provides a new and simplified experience for managing virtual machines through Azure Arc, including the ability to create VMs from Azure Marketplace images.
4. Improved Monitoring: Offers enhanced monitoring capabilities with cloud-based tools, providing better insights into the health and performance of the infrastructure.
5. Custom Storage IPs: Allows the use of custom IPs for storage intent network adapters during server addition or repair scenarios.

How to Migrate to Azure Stack HCI

Migrating to Azure Stack HCI can be achieved through several methods, depending on your current infrastructure and requirements:

1. Azure Migrate (Preview): Azure Migrate is a central hub for tools to discover, assess, and migrate on-premises servers, apps, and data to Azure Stack HCI. It provides a streamlined process with minimal downtime.
2. System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM): SCVMM can be used to convert VMware VMs to Hyper-V and then import them into Azure Stack HCI.
3. Third-Party Tools: Solutions like Veeam, Commvault, and Carbonite offer robust migration capabilities for moving VMware VMs to Azure Stack HCI.
4. Manual Migration: For smaller environments, manual migration using tools like PowerShell and Robocopy can be an option.

Azure Stack HCI Jumpstart

The Azure Stack HCI Jumpstart project is designed to help users quickly set up and evaluate Azure Stack HCI in a lab environment. It provides scripts and tools to deploy a fully functional Azure Stack HCI cluster using nested virtualization in Azure.

You can find the Azure Stack HCI Jumpstart project on GitHub: Azure Stack HCI Jumpstart.