Since September 29, 2020, the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution is generally available (GA). Now, in 2024, Azure VMware Solution is more integrated and better available than ever before. This enables customers to seamlessly move VMware-based workloads from their data centers to Azure and integrate their VMware environment with Azure. Learn about the Licensing, the solution and what is new.
Licensing
From a licensing perspective, customers running Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server workloads can use the Azure Hybrid Benefit to reuse existing on-premises licenses and can also save money on the infrastructure by purchasing Reserved Instances.
What is Azure VMware Solution?
Azure VMware Solution (AVS) is a fully managed service that allows you to run VMware workloads natively on Azure. Here are some key features and benefits:
- Seamless Migration: AVS enables you to migrate or extend your on-premises VMware environments to Azure without the need for re-platforming, refactoring, or rehosting.
- Comprehensive VMware Stack: It includes VMware vSphere, HCX, NSX, and vSAN, providing a familiar environment for managing your workloads.
- Scalability: You can start with a minimum of three hosts and scale up to 16 hosts per cluster, allowing flexibility as your needs grow.
- Cost Efficiency: AVS offers cost-saving options like reserved instances and Azure Hybrid Benefit, which can significantly reduce your compute costs.
- Enhanced Security: With built-in security and compliance features, AVS helps protect your workloads and data.
- Integration with Azure Services: You can leverage over 200 Azure services to enhance your VMware workloads, including AI, analytics, and more.
New in 2024
- 33 Regions: Azure VMware Solution (AVS) has expanded to 33 regions globally, including Switzerland North, Italy North, UAE North, and India Central. This makes AVS available in more regions than any other cloud provider.
- DoD SRG Impact Level 4: AVS is now approved for DoD SRG Impact Level 4 Provisional Authorization in Azure Government. It is currently available in both Arizona and Virginia, providing enhanced security and compliance for government workloads.
- VMware Cloud Foundation Support: NetApp and Broadcom customers can now simplify their VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) hybrid cloud environments by using NetApp ONTAP® software. This includes support for all storage requirements and active-active data replication capabilities with SnapMirror® active sync.
- Cost Optimization: Customers can now leverage Spot Eco by NetApp with AVS reserved instances to get the most value out of their deployments. This combination helps manage AVS reserved instances and offload data storage, significantly reducing compute costs.
- Disaster Recovery & Ransomware Protection: AVS collaborates with JetStream to offer advanced disaster recovery solutions. These solutions provide near-zero Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and instant Recovery Time Objective (RTO), using Continuous Data Protection (CDP) and heuristic algorithms to detect data tampering.
- Rapid Migration Plan: The VMware Rapid Migration Plan offers a comprehensive set of licensing benefits and programs. This includes price protection and savings as you migrate to AVS, with options for reserved instances and Azure credits to address migration costs.
Ready to try out Azure VMware Solution to move to Azure?
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More Information
For new capabilities, check out: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/check-out-whats-new-in-azure-vmware-solution/.
For further information, please find the announcement here: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/the-new-azure-vmware-solution-is-now-generally-available/.
For details on the solution itself, please visit: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/azure-vmware/.
Find an explanatory PDF here: https://dmc-cdn.azureedge.net/assets/MAVMS-AZ-AS-W103/What%20is%20Azure%20VMware%20Solution.pdf.
For software licensing information on Microsoft products, please visit: https://www.schneider.im/software/microsoft/.
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