In this article, we will share with you how Azure Stack HCI is forcing changes in your data center.
In late 2020, Microsoft introduced a new operating system dedicated to the Hyper-Converged deployment model where the innovation continues at a faster cadence compared to Windows Server. Azure Stack HCI was introduced which is a new hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) operating system delivered as an Azure service that provides the latest security, performance, and feature updates.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Azure Stack HCI is a new hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) operating system delivered as an Azure service. It provides the latest security, performance, and hybrid capabilities, which now include Azure Arc enablement and new management scenarios through the Azure portal. You get robust host security with a Secured-core server, improve performance for machine learning models with GPU enablement, and maximize the performance of virtual desktop infrastructure.
You gain more efficient use of your storage resource with the new thin provisioning feature, you can deploy and run Windows and Linux virtual machines (VMs) in your data center or at the edge using your existing tools, processes, and skillsets. Additionally, you can extend your data center to the cloud with Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, Azure File Sync, Azure Monitor, Azure ARC, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
As we know hybrid cloud adoption varies across the industry. And whether or not you’re planning to go hybrid or fully to the cloud, Microsoft is slowly nudging sysadmins there with changes in its technical solutions and licensing models anyhow. Some of these are the developments in Microsoft’s core hybrid cloud solution for on-prem, Azure Stack HCI (not to be confused with Azure Stack). By leveraging crucial Windows Server technologies such as Hyper-V, and Storage Spaces Direct, Microsoft has big plans for Azure Stack HCI and, whether you like it or not, it will inevitably shape your hybrid cloud strategy.
Azure Stack HCI webinar
The Altaro webinar on 23 March, How Azure Stack HCI is forcing changes in your data center, will teach you about the key developments and how they will impact your data center management. Fellow Microsoft MVP Andy Syrewicze will be joined by fellow MVP and Azure Stack HCI expert Carsten Rachfahl to break down and demo live Azure Stack HCI, and what it means for you the technologies you use.

The hour-long webinar is free to join and will cover key Azure Stack HCI concepts, changes to storage and networking you should be aware of, how to manage Azure Stack HCI, along with cloud management and Azure integrations.
With Azure Stack HCI, there are operational considerations to keep in mind like the fact that pricing for this deployment option is paid as a monthly service or the fact that future on-prem features in the Windows Server stack are likely to leverage Azure Stack HCI exclusively. That said, not only will this webinar show you the benefits of Azure Stack HCI, but it will show you how it will fit into your tech stack long-term.
Learn more and register: How Azure Stack HCI is forcing changes in your datacenter
Summary
Andy and Carsten will help you prepare for these major developments, so you’ll be ready for what’s next. And if you have any questions about hybrid cloud or Azure Stack HCI, you can get them answered by these experts during the webinar Q&A.
Don’t miss out on this comprehensive lesson on how to navigate and integrate Azure Stack HCI into your data center management.
Save your seat for March 23rd!
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-Charbel Nemnom-