DataON Webinar: Azure Local One Year Later and What To Expect at Microsoft Ignite

Thursday, October 16, 2025

2pm EST / 11am PST

It’s been almost a year since Microsoft announced the change from Azure Stack HCI to Azure Local. Microsoft’s Alan Kerr takes a look back at what has changed in the last year, and what to expect for Azure Local at Microsoft Ignite

TL/DR

  • Azure Local = Azure anywhere: Microsoft rebranded and expanded Azure Stack HCI into Azure Local, enabling Azure services to run on-prem, at the edge, or fully disconnected.
  • Key updates since Ignite 2024:
    • Azure Migrate for VMware → now GA
    • Kubernetes service → now included at no extra cost
    • Disconnected operations → fully offline support
    • Small form factor deployments → drive-thrus, EV stations, etc.
  • Quality & security: Microsoft doubled down on platform resiliency, secure-by-default design, and update reliability—driven by executive oversight.
  • Sovereign cloud foundation: Azure Local powers Microsoft’s global sovereign cloud strategy, including EU and US government initiatives.
  • Unified management: Arc-enabled SDN, streamlined updates, Azure Core OS adoption, and improved automation.
  • Scalable control plane: From IoT to hyperscale, all managed under one Azure-native framework.
  • Azure Local isn’t a side project—it’s central to Microsoft’s hybrid cloud future.

Summary

1. Azure Local: Strategic Shift & Vision

  • Azure Local emerged from a redefinition of “edge” computing, absorbing Azure Stack HCI, Azure Stack Edge, Hub, and Operated Nexus.
  • The core idea: Azure can now run anywhere—from rugged IoT devices to disconnected sovereign clouds.

2. Major Announcements Since Ignite 2024

  • Azure Migrate GA: VMware-to-Azure Local migration tool now generally available, with hydration capabilities for seamless Azure integration.
  • Kubernetes Service: Now included at no extra cost in Azure Local environments.
  • Disconnected Operations: Fully offline deployments now possible—no annual check-ins required.
  • New Form Factors: Small form factor Azure Local units deployed in drive-thrus and EV charging stations for edge intelligence.

3. Scalability & Control Plane

  • Azure Local supports massive scale—from single CPU IoT devices to hyperscale clusters.
  • Unified control plane enables consistent management, security, and telemetry across environments.

4. Quality & Security Initiatives

  • Microsoft’s Quality Excellence Initiative focuses on:
    • Platform resiliency
    • Change management discipline
    • Incident detection and recovery
    • Customer guidance for high availability and DR
  • Secure Future Initiative enforces:
    • Secure-by-default configurations
    • Zero-trust principles
    • Continuous improvement and internal accountability

5. Customer Empowerment & Sovereignty

  • Azure Local is foundational to Microsoft’s sovereign cloud strategy, especially in Europe and government sectors.
  • Customers gain flexibility to deploy Azure services on their terms—connected or disconnected, on-prem or remote.

6. Recent Technical Enhancements

  • Arc-enabled SDN and NSGs now integrated into infrastructure.
  • Azure Arc Gateway reduces firewall complexity and endpoint sprawl.
  • Unified update management for firmware, drivers, and runtime.
  • Transition to Azure Core OS for improved performance and security.
  • Enhanced portal UX and automation support (ARM, Bicep, etc.).