In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations face the pivotal decision of modernizing their IT infrastructure and migrating workloads to the cloud. However, for many businesses deeply invested in VMware environments, this transition feels like breaking up with a partner you’ve been with for years. Enter Azure VMware Solution (AVS) – the reconciliation you didn’t know you needed: it lets you keep your existing VMware setup while embracing the power of Microsoft Azure’s public cloud.
This article dives deep into what Azure VMware Solution offers, why it’s a game-changer for organizations looking to transition, and how it bridges the gap between on-premises infrastructure and the public cloud. Let’s break it down.
The idea is simple: businesses often hesitate to migrate to public clouds because of the perceived complexity, time, and risk involved. VMware environments are robust ecosystems that IT teams know and love. Scrapping these setups in favor of full cloud-native solutions can feel like reinventing the wheel. This is where AVS comes into play, offering a lift-and-shift paradigm that lets you move your existing virtualized infrastructure directly to Azure – no fuss, no major learning curve for IT teams.
Key features of AVS include:
The process often involves re-engineering applications for the cloud, which can be disruptive, cost-intensive, and time-consuming. AVS challenges this narrative by allowing VMware workloads to migrate “as-is.”
Here’s how it works:
With AVS, it’s like moving your living room to a better, higher-floor apartment – you enjoy the same comfort but with better views, improved security, and room for expansion.
Scaling with AVS is just as intuitive. Clusters can grow from three hyper-converged nodes to 96 nodes per private cluster, ensuring organizations only pay for the resources they need. This scalability is crucial for workload spikes, disaster recovery, or capacity adjustments.
Here’s the deal:
Post-migration, businesses can:
Beyond security, Azure is committed to sustainability. AVS customers can rest easy knowing their workloads benefit from energy-efficient operations – savings passed onto the planet and, subtly, to your electricity bill.
The path forward doesn’t have to be full of daunting overhauls or surprises. AVS offers an accessible compromise: migrate now, modernize later – and reap the benefits every step of the way.
Ready to take the leap? Join the community discussions here at WindowsForum.com or consult your Microsoft partner to start planning your AVS journey. Let us know your thoughts or experiences with AVS in the comments below.
Source: Inetum https://www.inetum.com/en/belgium/news/azure-vmware-solution-avs-convenient-stepping-stone-public-cloud
This article dives deep into what Azure VMware Solution offers, why it’s a game-changer for organizations looking to transition, and how it bridges the gap between on-premises infrastructure and the public cloud. Let’s break it down.
Understanding Azure VMware Solution (AVS)
At its core, Azure VMware Solution (AVS) is a native Microsoft Azure offering designed in partnership with VMware. It allows organizations to seamlessly migrate and run VMware-based workloads on Azure without needing to modify existing applications or workflows.The idea is simple: businesses often hesitate to migrate to public clouds because of the perceived complexity, time, and risk involved. VMware environments are robust ecosystems that IT teams know and love. Scrapping these setups in favor of full cloud-native solutions can feel like reinventing the wheel. This is where AVS comes into play, offering a lift-and-shift paradigm that lets you move your existing virtualized infrastructure directly to Azure – no fuss, no major learning curve for IT teams.
Key features of AVS include:
- A fully managed service supported by Microsoft, running VMware’s trusted stack (vSphere, NSX-T, vSAN) within Azure datacenters.
- Retention of operational familiarity, allowing VMware experts to continue managing workloads using tools they already know.
- Integration with over 200 native Azure services, creating opportunities for modernization on your own timeline.
- Secure and compliant by design, leveraging Azure’s robust security frameworks and certifications.
Migration Redefined: A Bridge, Not a Leap
Traditionally, migrating workloads from on-premises to the cloud can feel like relocating to a new city without a moving company. Boxes get lost, your sofa doesn’t fit through the door, and suddenly, it doesn’t seem worth it.The process often involves re-engineering applications for the cloud, which can be disruptive, cost-intensive, and time-consuming. AVS challenges this narrative by allowing VMware workloads to migrate “as-is.”
Here’s how it works:
- Assessment and Planning: Before jumping into the cloud, an organization conducts a comprehensive analysis of its IT systems – mapping dependencies, prioritizing workloads, and designing a roadmap.
- Azure Landing Zone Setup: This foundational step involves configuring networking, identity, security protocols, and more to establish a seamless landing environment within Azure.
- Migration Execution: Workloads are transported to AVS using tools such as VMware HCX. Since the underlying architecture in AVS is identical to VMware’s on-premises environments, no modifications are needed during migration.
Familiar and Friendlier Technology
One nightmare IT administrators fear is retraining. A shift to full cloud-native solutions like Azure Kubernetes Service requires deep upskilling. AVS sidesteps this issue by maintaining VMware’s operational syntax. IT teams can work with the same vCenter interface while Azure handles the backend infrastructure.With AVS, it’s like moving your living room to a better, higher-floor apartment – you enjoy the same comfort but with better views, improved security, and room for expansion.
Hybrid and Scalable Infrastructure
Not ready to jump fully into the cloud? AVS supports hybrid environments, functioning as a bridge between your on-premises datacenter and Azure. Businesses may choose to keep certain workloads on-premises while others migrate to the cloud, all managed through a unified interface. Add Azure Arc into the mix, and the hybrid environment gets even more powerful, extending Azure’s governance and security policies downstream to on-prem nodes.Scaling with AVS is just as intuitive. Clusters can grow from three hyper-converged nodes to 96 nodes per private cluster, ensuring organizations only pay for the resources they need. This scalability is crucial for workload spikes, disaster recovery, or capacity adjustments.
Cost Considerations: Saving Without Sacrificing
The million-dollar question around cloud adoption often boils down to cost. Microsoft’s pricing model for AVS is built to appeal to organizations already managing steep VMware licensing fees.Here’s the deal:
- Licenses Included: AVS integrates VMware licenses into Azure pricing, mitigating the need for additional spending.
- Reservations for Savings: Lock in prices for 1, 3, or 5 years to ensure predictable budgeting. This is particularly appealing for businesses weary of rising on-prem VMware support fees under Broadcom’s ownership of VMware.
- Hybrid Benefits for Windows/SQL: Organizations can leverage Azure Hybrid Benefit to reuse existing licenses for Windows Server and SQL Server in AVS environments.
What Comes After the Migration?
AVS is not just a parking spot. Once your workloads are comfortably settled in Azure, you can unlock modernization opportunities at your own pace. Microsoft calls this strategy "Migrate to Modernize."Post-migration, businesses can:
- Transition from virtual desktops on VMware Horizon to Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Replace SQL Server virtual machines with Azure SQL Database, a cloud-native SQL offering.
- Enhance security and monitoring by adopting Azure Sentinel or native monitoring stacks.
- Innovate with Azure AI-powered tools, IoT integrations, or machine learning frameworks.
Security & Compliance With a Green Halo
Microsoft’s datacenters are fortresses, with physical and digital controls to ensure top-tier security. AVS inherits Azure’s compliance standards, from GDPR and HIPAA to ISO certifications, making it a trusted choice for industries like healthcare and finance.Beyond security, Azure is committed to sustainability. AVS customers can rest easy knowing their workloads benefit from energy-efficient operations – savings passed onto the planet and, subtly, to your electricity bill.
Final Thoughts: A Cloud Migration With Training Wheels
Azure VMware Solution bridges the gap between traditional VMware environments and Azure’s forward-thinking cloud. It hints at the future without forcing you to leave the past behind. For organizations finding themselves on the VMware-to-cloud crossroads, AVS isn’t just a stepping stone – it’s a springboard.The path forward doesn’t have to be full of daunting overhauls or surprises. AVS offers an accessible compromise: migrate now, modernize later – and reap the benefits every step of the way.
Ready to take the leap? Join the community discussions here at WindowsForum.com or consult your Microsoft partner to start planning your AVS journey. Let us know your thoughts or experiences with AVS in the comments below.
Source: Inetum https://www.inetum.com/en/belgium/news/azure-vmware-solution-avs-convenient-stepping-stone-public-cloud