Transform Your IT with Azure Local and Veeam Migration

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In the blistering pace of today’s IT environment, where businesses are vying for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, Microsoft Azure has emerged as a beacon of hope, particularly for those clinging tight to their on-premises infrastructure. Enter DataON, a partner with Microsoft, ushering in an era of hybrid cloud solutions with its latest offerings: Azure Local combined with seamless Veeam Migration capabilities.

Transforming Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure​

What is Azure Local?​

Formerly dubbed Azure Stack HCI, Azure Local represents Microsoft's strategic advancement into the hyper-converged infrastructure realm. Think of it as a robust bridge connecting on-prem control with the limitless sky of cloud scalability. Built atop Azure Arc, Azure Local allows organizations to run virtualized applications on their premises while enjoying consistent management through Azure's cloud services. It combines the best of both worlds—keeping mission-critical workloads close to home while leveraging the power of the cloud when needed.
In a market shaken by acquisitions—like Broadcom’s recent move to acquire VMware, leading to soaring licensing costs—Azure Local has emerged as a formidable alternative for enterprises seeking performance and cost-effectiveness. Here, DataON has stepped in to deliver a pre-validated solution complete with high-performance storage, security features, and integrated virtualization support.

Veeam Migration: Simplifying Transitions​

When it comes to transitioning from VMware to Azure Local, Veeam's Instant Recovery functionality shines like a lighthouse in a storm. This feature allows organizations to facilitate the migration of virtual machines (VMs) directly from VMware environments to Azure Local with minimal downtime, a critical factor for businesses that can’t afford interruptions.
The migration kicks off with Veeam Backup & Replication. For those already using Veeam, this capability is a seamless extension of their existing toolset. During a recent migration demonstration, a straightforward Windows Server VM was successfully transitioned from a VMware vSphere environment to Azure Local powered by DataON hardware—highlighting the unobtrusive integration between these two platforms.

Step-by-Step Migration​

Here’s a quick rundown of how this works:
  1. Start with Existing Backups: With Veeam, organizations can restore entire or individual VMs from backups directly into Azure Local.
  2. Select the Recovery File: Using the Veeam interface, the migration can be initiated by selecting the VM from an existing job.
  3. Run Instant Recovery: The VM will initially boot from backup storage. This temporary restore allows for quick access but may run on slower user storage.
  4. Migrate to Permanent Storage: Once operations stabilize, the VM can be permanently migrated to production storage for optimal performance.

Management Made Easy​

After the transition, managing the Azure Local environment becomes effortless, especially with tools like Windows Admin Center and integration with the Azure portal. Windows Admin Center provides a single interface to monitor and administer Azure Local alongside traditional Windows Servers. Here’s what it offers:
  • Comprehensive Monitoring: Track performance metrics and set alerts for your hybrid cloud environment.
  • VM Management: Create and configure VMs on the fly—an administrative dream.
  • Network Oversight: Streamline configuration and monitoring with ease across your resources.
The integration with the Azure portal amplifies these capabilities further, allowing for centralized management of multiple HCI clusters across different sites. This feature is particularly advantageous for organizations with geographically diverse operations, ensuring a unified approach to administration that promotes consistency and efficiency.

Why This Matters​

The merger of Azure Local solutions and Veeam technology stands as a resilient strategy against the tide of rising costs in virtualization. Businesses can now eliminate the financial drain associated with legacy VMware systems while tapping into the innovative capabilities of Microsoft’s hybrid cloud offerings. This partnership offers a cost-effective, scalable, and robust solution for organizations aiming to modernize their data centers and enhance operational agility.

Final Thoughts​

The versatility of the Azure Local platform is compelling, providing a soft landing for enterprises maneuvering the tricky terrain of hybrid cloud infrastructures. With DataON's expertise and Veeam's powerful migration tools, businesses can embark on this transformative journey with confidence. So as IT complexity continues to rise, embracing an integrated solution like Azure Local just might be the lifeline organizations need to thrive in this new landscape.
The takeaway here? Whether you’re managing several clusters or just a handful of VMs, Azure Local coupled with Veeam migration creates a streamlined pathway toward a more agile, cost-efficient, and proactive IT environment. And in today’s world, minimizing downtime while maximizing performance is not just a goal; it’s a necessity.

Source: StorageReview.com Microsoft Azure Local Solutions From DataON With Seamless Veeam Migration