7 Mistakes That Turn Azure Local into Datacenter Decoration (And How to Avoid Them)

    Azure Local—Microsoft’s hybrid cloud platform, encompassing solutions like Azure Stack Hub, Azure Stack HCI, and Azure Arc—promises to bring the power of Azure to your on-premises datacenter. But too often, organizations watch their expensive Azure Local hardware gather dust in boxes, burning through warranties while project delays mount. Why? Because they treat Azure Local like a glorified Windows Server instead of the sophisticated hybrid cloud platform it is.

Drawing on insights from Dino Bordonaro, a Microsoft MVP and Senior Cloud Architect with over 25 years of hybrid infrastructure experience, we explore the seven critical mistakes that turn Azure Local investments into costly inventory—and how to avoid them to ensure your deployment delivers real business value.

Mistake #0: Treating Azure Local Like “Fancy Windows Server”

The biggest blunder is approaching Azure Local as a simple server upgrade. It’s not. Azure Local is a hybrid cloud platform that extends your Azure tenant to on-premises infrastructure, requiring expertise in Azure Arc, hybrid networking, and cloud governance.

The Cost: Misaligned expectations lead to months of delays, integration challenges, and even project cancellation.

How to Avoid It:

• Partner with experts who have proven Azure Local experience, not just Hyper-V migration skills.

• Request customer references for real Azure Local deployments.

• Ensure your partner understands hybrid cloud strategy, including Azure Arc services.

• Coordinate across Active Directory, networking, Entra ID, and permissions teams from day one.

Mistake #1: Obsessing Over Hardware Specs Instead of Planning

Focusing on the fastest CPUs or premium storage is a recipe for failure. Success with Azure Local hinges on meticulous planning, not hardware horsepower.

The Cost: Perfectly spec’d hardware sits unused because teams didn’t align on prerequisites or timelines.

How to Avoid It:

• Establish clear project ownership across all technical domains.

• Document prerequisites for Active Directory, networking, and Azure tenant configuration.

• Align stakeholders on the hybrid cloud strategy, not just infrastructure refresh.

• Set realistic timelines that account for cross-team coordination.

Mistake #2: Sizing Without Understanding Your IT Lifecycle

Many organizations size their Azure Local platform based on current VM allocations, not actual usage, leading to over-provisioning and wasted resources.

The Cost: Oversized deployments inflate costs, while undersized ones fail to meet future needs.

How to Avoid It:

• Use tools like Azure Migrate to assess real CPU, memory, and storage usage over 6-12 months.

• Plan for modern application architectures and Azure Arc services.

• Consolidate workloads to reduce footprint and align sizing with business growth projections.

• Define your current vs. future operating model to maximize project value.

Mistake #3: Choosing Use Cases Without Strategic Thinking

Unclear or misaligned use cases can derail Azure Local deployments, turning them into expensive islands instead of cloud extensions.

The Cost: Misjudging data sovereignty, connectivity, or production needs leads to complexity and operational overhead.

How to Avoid It:

• Validate data sovereignty requirements—many regulations are more flexible than assumed.

• Assess WAN bandwidth and stability for hybrid operations.

• Re-evaluate disconnected operations; resilient connectivity is often more practical than air-gapped setups.

• Use certified integrated systems from the Azure Local Hardware Compatibility List for production deployments.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Azure Local’s Unique Networking Needs

Network planning is critical, yet many organizations fail to use compatible hardware or account for Azure Local’s specific requirements.

The Cost: Poor network planning leads to unstable operations, costly troubleshooting, and production failures.

How to Avoid It:

• Use hardware from the Azure Local Hardware Compatibility List, ensuring support for RoCE or iWarp.

• Meet minimum network speeds (e.g., 10GBit for storage adapters) and plan for higher throughput.

• Implement network segmentation for security, especially in OT/IT mixed-mode environments.

• Validate RDMA functionality and plan for east-west traffic, redundancy, and sufficient bandwidth.

Mistake #5: Treating Governance and Security as Afterthoughts

Azure Local integrates with your Azure tenant, demanding robust security and governance from the start.

The Cost: Security misconfigurations delay deployments for months and create compliance risks.

How to Avoid It:

• Use Entra ID to extend cloud-native security to your hybrid infrastructure.

• Restrict management layer access using Conditional Access, Privileged Identity Management, and privileged workstations.

• Follow Azure Local documentation for Active Directory integration, especially deactivating rights inheritance for the OU.

• Assign least-privilege roles for deployment accounts to minimize risks.

• Coordinate security across Active Directory, Entra ID, networking, and compliance teams.

Mistake #6: Underestimating Connectivity Needs

Azure Local’s cloud-first nature requires reliable WAN connectivity to Azure, yet many organizations assume premium options like ExpressRoute eliminate standard internet needs.

The Cost: Connectivity failures disrupt local operations and cloud integration.

How to Avoid It:

• Ensure sufficient bandwidth for management, monitoring, Azure Arc, backup, and user access traffic.

• Install redundant WAN connections with automatic failover for high availability.

• Plan for standard internet access, as ExpressRoute and MAPS aren’t fully supported.

Mistake #7: Neglecting Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning

Azure Local’s unique architecture demands compatible backup solutions and rigorous DR testing.

The Cost: Incompatible backups or untested DR plans lead to data loss and operational gaps.

How to Avoid It:

• Use compatible backup solutions (e.g., Microsoft, Commvault, Veeam) and size nodes for full workload capacity.

• Ensure network speed supports backup time windows and test restores regularly for accurate RTO.

• Integrate Azure Site Recovery for DR, testing both failover and failback procedures.

• Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three data copies, two local, one offsite in cold storage for ransomware protection.

The Path to Azure Local Success

Azure Local is a game-changer for hybrid cloud adoption, but only if you treat it as a strategic platform, not upgraded hardware. By avoiding these seven mistakes, you can transform your datacenter into a dynamic, cloud-connected powerhouse. The keys to success are:

• Starting with a hybrid cloud strategy.

• Coordinating across technical domains from day one.

• Partnering with Azure Local experts like Dino Bordonaro, whose 25+ years of experience help organizations avoid costly pitfalls.

• Planning extensively before purchasing hardware.

• Testing everything before production.

Don’t let your Azure Local investment become datacenter decoration. With the right planning and expertise, you can unlock its full potential and drive measurable business outcomes. Ready to get started? Connect with a Microsoft Azure expert or visit BORDONARO IT to ensure your deployment succeeds from day one. 

Content derived from Why Expensive Azure Local Hardware Becomes Datacenter Decoration (7 Mistakes That Turn Investment Into Inventory) | LinkedIn

Azure Operator Nexus: Revolutionizing Telecom Networks

    The telecommunications industry is at a pivotal moment, driven by the need for modernized infrastructure, enhanced network performance, and innovative services. Microsoft’s Azure Operator Nexus, a cloud-native, hybrid platform tailored for telecom operators, is poised to lead this transformation. In this blog post, we explore what Azure Operator Nexus is, its standout features, and why it’s a game-changer for the telecom sector.

What is Azure Operator Nexus?

    Azure Operator Nexus is a carrier-grade platform designed to help telecom operators deploy, manage, and scale network functions across hybrid cloud environments. Built on Microsoft Azure’s robust infrastructure, it combines the flexibility of cloud computing with the reliability and performance required for mission-critical telecom workloads, such as 5G core, virtualized RAN (vRAN), and packet core. 

    As a fully managed solution, Operator Nexus allows operators to focus on delivering services rather than wrestling with complex infrastructure. According to Microsoft’s documentation, it meets the stringent demands of telecom networks, offering high availability, low latency, and seamless integration with Azure’s ecosystem.

 Key Features of Azure Operator Nexus

Azure Operator Nexus is packed with features that address the unique needs of telecom operators: 

Hybrid and Cloud-Native Architecture

The platform supports deployments across on-premises data centers, edge locations, and Azure’s public cloud. Its cloud-native design, leveraging containers and Kubernetes, ensures rapid deployment and scalability of network functions.

 Carrier-Grade Reliability

Telecom networks require 99.999% uptime. Operator Nexus delivers with high availability, fault tolerance, and geo-redundancy for disaster recovery, ensuring uninterrupted service even during failures. 

Support for Diverse Workloads

From 5G core to vRAN and packet core, Operator Nexus supports a wide range of network functions. It’s compatible with third-party vendors, offering flexibility to integrate preferred solutions.

Automation and Orchestration

Built-in automation tools streamline provisioning, scaling, and management. Integration with Azure Arc simplifies operations across distributed environments, reducing operational complexity. 

Robust Security and Compliance

Security is critical in telecom. Operator Nexus incorporates Azure’s advanced security features, including encryption, identity management, and compliance with standards like 3GPP and GSMA, ensuring data protection and regulatory adherence. 

Edge Computing Capabilities

With 5G and IoT driving demand for low-latency applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities, Operator Nexus enables efficient deployment of edge workloads, bringing compute closer to end-users. 

Why Azure Operator Nexus Matters

The telecom industry faces significant challenges: rising costs, legacy system complexity, and the need to support next-generation services like 5G and IoT. Azure Operator Nexus tackles these head-on by: 

Reducing Costs: Its cloud-native approach and automation minimize reliance on costly proprietary hardware and manual processes. 

• Accelerating Innovation: Operators can rapidly deploy services like 5G network slicing without extensive infrastructure overhauls.
• Simplifying Operations: A unified platform for hybrid workloads eliminates silos and streamlines management.
• Future-Proofing Networks: Support for AI-driven optimization and edge computing ensures operators are ready for emerging technologies.

Real-World Impact

Consider a telecom operator launching a 5G network in a bustling urban area. With Operator Nexus, they can deploy a scalable 5G core in the public cloud, run latency-sensitive vRAN workloads on-premises, and manage everything through a single interface. If demand surges, the platform automatically scales resources. If a disaster strikes, geo-redundancy ensures service continuity. This flexibility and resilience redefine what’s possible in telecom. 

Getting Started

Microsoft offers extensive resources to help operators adopt Azure Operator Nexus, including deployment guides, architecture blueprints, and integration support. Start by exploring the Azure Operator Nexus documentation to understand its capabilities and plan your deployment. 

Conclusion

Azure Operator Nexus is more than a platform—it’s a catalyst for telecom innovation. By blending Azure’s cloud power with carrier-grade reliability, it empowers operators to build modern, scalable, and secure networks. Whether you’re rolling out 5G, optimizing costs, or embracing edge computing, Operator Nexus provides the tools to succeed. 

Ready to transform your network strategy? Dive into Microsoft’s official documentation and discover how Azure Operator Nexus can reshape the future of telecom. 

Disclaimer: This post is based on Microsoft’s official resources and industry insights. Always consult the latest documentation for detailed guidance.

Tackling Azure Local Automatic Update Issues Triggered by SBE Updates

    Microsoft Azure Local empowers organizations to manage hybrid and edge environments with seamless update capabilities. However, a specific issue with Solution Builder Extension (SBE) updates can cause unexpected automatic OS updates on the third Tuesday of each month, potentially disrupting operations. This blog post, based on detailed technical guidance from Microsoft’s Azure Local documentation and community insights, explains the issue, how to validate its impact, and the steps to mitigate it effectively.

The Issue: Unintended Automatic Updates

For certain server hardware models, monthly cumulative OS updates may install automatically at 3 AM on the third Tuesday of the month if the most recent update included an SBE update. This behavior stems from the Cluster-Aware Updating (CAU) feature, which uses the Microsoft.WindowsUpdatePlugin to deploy updates. If an SBE update configures a scheduled CAU trigger, it can lead to:

• Unplanned downtime due to unexpected system restarts.

• Version misalignment between the Azure Local solution and the OS build, potentially causing compatibility issues (e.g., with .NET versions).

Without intervention, these updates may recur monthly, posing risks to system stability and compliance.

Validating the Issue

To determine if your Azure Local cluster is affected or at risk, perform the following checks as the deployment user on any cluster node.

1. Confirming Unexpected Updates

Use the following PowerShell script to check if a CAU run with the Microsoft.WindowsUpdatePlugin triggered on the third Tuesday:

$getCauReportBlock = {
    [array]$allReports = Get-CauReport -Detailed
    $results = @()
    foreach ($report in $allReports) {
        $summaryReport = @{}
        $summaryReport.RunId = $report.ClusterResult.RunId.Guid
        $summaryReport.StartTimestamp = $report.ClusterResult.StartTimestamp
        $summaryReport.Plugin = $report.Plugin  
        $results += $summaryReport
    }
    return ($results | ?{$_.Plugin -like "*Microsoft.WindowsUpdatePlugin*"})
}
Invoke-Command -Credential $null -Authentication Credssp -Computername localhost -ScriptBlock $getCauReportBlock

If the output confirms a CAU run on the third Tuesday, your cluster has been impacted by this issue.

2. Checking Risk of Future Updates

To assess if your cluster is vulnerable to future automatic updates, run:

Get-CauClusterRole

Check the output for:

• A PreUpdateScript path containing SBECache, indicating an SBE update.

• DaysOfWeek set to Tuesday (value 4) and WeeksOfMonth set to the third week.

If these conditions are met, your cluster is at risk of automatic updates on the next third Tuesday.

Mitigation Steps

To prevent further automatic updates and restore alignment between your Azure Local solution and OS versions, follow these two steps:

Step 1: Remove the Scheduled CAU Trigger

Execute the following PowerShell script to remove the CAU trigger, ensuring no update is in progress and a scheduled trigger exists:

$entry = Get-CauClusterRole -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | where-object { $_.Name -eq "DaysOfWeek" }  
if ($null -ne $entry -and $entry.Value -eq "4") {
     Write-host "CauClusterRole is scheduled to trigger on 3rd Tuesday!"
     $updateId = (Get-SolutionUpdate | ?{$_.State -like "*ing"}).ResourceId
     if ($null -ne $updateId) {
         throw "Unable to remove scheduled CAU trigger - an update is in progress:`n$($updateId)"
     }
     Remove-CauClusterRole -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue 3>$null 4>$null
     $entry = Get-CauClusterRole -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | where-object { $_.Name -eq "DaysOfWeek" }
     if ($null -ne $entry -and $entry.Value -eq "4") {
         throw "Attempt to call 'Remove-CauClusterRole' failed.  Assure you are logged in as the deployment user."
     }
     else {
         Write-Host "Confirmed removal of scheduled CAU run!"
     }
}
else {
     Write-Host "CauClusterRole already removed or not scheduled to trigger automatically"
}

This script verifies the third Tuesday trigger, checks for active updates, and safely removes the CAU role. Critical Note: You must repeat this step after each SBE update until your Azure Local solution reaches version 11.2505.x or newer, as earlier versions may reintroduce the trigger.

Step 2: Align Azure Local and OS Versions

If automatic updates have already occurred, your cluster’s OS build may be newer than the expected Azure Local solution version, leading to potential issues (e.g., .NET version mismatches). To resolve this:

• Update your cluster to the Azure Local solution version that matches your current OS build. Refer to the Azure Local release information to identify the appropriate version.

• If the OS build includes a newer .NET version, follow the Azure Local supportability guide for .NET updates when installing solution updates until you reach version 10.2411.1.x or higher.

Perform these updates promptly to restore compatibility and prevent further disruptions.

Why This Matters

Uncontrolled automatic updates can cause significant operational challenges, including:

• Downtime: Unexpected restarts during business hours.

• Compatibility Issues: Mismatched OS and solution versions, especially with .NET dependencies.

• Compliance Risks: Unplanned updates may violate change management policies.

The GitHub reference emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue before the next third Tuesday to avoid recurring problems. Proactively applying the mitigation steps ensures your Azure Local environment remains stable and secure.

Additional Considerations

• Test in a Staging Environment: Before applying updates in production, test them in a non-critical environment to identify potential conflicts.

• Monitor Regularly: Use the Update Management Center in Azure to track patch status and ensure compliance.

• Stay Informed: Check the Azure Local Supportability repository and Microsoft Learn for updates on this issue and related fixes.

Conclusion

The Azure Local automatic update issue triggered by SBE updates is a critical concern for hybrid cluster management. By validating whether your cluster is affected using the provided PowerShell scripts and applying the two-step mitigation process, you can prevent unexpected updates and maintain version alignment. Act swiftly—especially before the next third Tuesday—and leverage Microsoft’s official resources for ongoing support.

For further details, consult the Azure Local release notes and the Azure Local Supportability repository. Keep your Azure Local environment robust and reliable!

Disclaimer: This post is based on technical documentation from Microsoft and community insights. Always refer to official Microsoft resources for the latest guidance. reference: AzureLocal-Supportability/TSG/Update/OS-update-automatically-set-to-run-on-3rd-Tuesday-following-SBE-update.md at main · Azure/AzureLocal-Supportability · GitHub 

 

Containers vs. Virtual Machines: A Clear Comparison

When it comes to modern application deployment, two technologies often come up: containers and virtual machines (VMs). Both are powerful tools for running applications in isolated environments, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. In this blog post, we’ll break down the key differences, benefits, and use cases of containers and VMs, inspired by Microsoft’s insightful documentation on the topic.

What Are Virtual Machines?

A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It runs a full operating system (OS) and includes virtualized hardware components like CPU, memory, and storage. VMs are created using a hypervisor (e.g., Hyper-V, VMware, or VirtualBox), which abstracts the physical hardware and allows multiple VMs to run on a single physical server.

Key Characteristics of VMs:

• Full OS: Each VM includes a complete operating system, which can be Windows, Linux, or another OS.

• Isolation: VMs are highly isolated from each other and the host, making them secure.

• Resource Heavy: VMs require significant resources (CPU, RAM, storage) because they emulate an entire system.

• Portability: VMs can be moved between compatible hypervisors but are larger in size due to the full OS.

Use Cases for VMs:

• Running legacy applications that require a specific OS.

• Testing software across different operating systems.

• Isolating workloads for security or compliance reasons.

What Are Containers?

A container is a lightweight, standalone package that includes everything needed to run an application: the code, runtime, libraries, and dependencies. Unlike VMs, containers share the host operating system’s kernel and do not require a full OS for each instance. Containers are managed by container runtimes like Docker or containerd.

Key Characteristics of Containers:

• Lightweight: Containers are much smaller than VMs since they share the host OS kernel.

• Fast Startup: Containers start almost instantly, as there’s no need to boot a full OS.

• Portability: Containers can run on any system with a compatible container runtime, making them highly portable.

• Less Isolation: Containers provide process-level isolation, which is less rigid than VM-level isolation.

Use Cases for Containers:

• Deploying microservices-based applications.

• Building CI/CD pipelines for rapid development and deployment.

• Running stateless applications in cloud-native environments.

Containers vs. VMs: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Containers	Virtual Machines
Size	Small (MBs)	Large (GBs)
Startup Time	Seconds	Minutes
Isolation	Process-level (less isolated)	OS-level (highly isolated)
Resource Usage	Low (shares host OS)	High (full OS per VM)
Portability	High (runs on any container runtime)	Moderate (depends on hypervisor)
OS Dependency	Shares host OS kernel	Requires full guest OS

Benefits and Trade-Offs

Containers:

• Pros:

  • Lightweight and resource-efficient, allowing more instances on the same hardware.

  • Fast to deploy and scale, ideal for dynamic workloads.

  • Simplifies DevOps workflows with tools like Kubernetes and Docker.

• Cons:

  • Less isolation can pose security risks if not configured properly.

  • Limited to applications compatible with the host OS kernel.

Virtual Machines:

• Pros:

  • Strong isolation ensures security and stability.

  • Supports a wide range of operating systems and legacy applications.

  • Ideal for workloads requiring dedicated environments.

• Cons:

  • Resource-intensive, leading to higher costs and slower scaling.

  • Larger footprint makes them less agile for rapid deployments.

When to Use Containers vs. VMs

• Choose Containers when you need:

  • Rapid scaling for microservices or cloud-native apps.

  • Efficient resource utilization in development or production.

  • Consistency across development, testing, and production environments.

• Choose VMs when you need:

  • To run applications requiring different operating systems.

  • High levels of security and isolation (e.g., for compliance).

  • To support legacy systems or monolithic applications.

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely! Many organizations use containers and VMs together in hybrid setups. For example, you might run containers inside VMs to combine the isolation of VMs with the efficiency of containers. Tools like Kubernetes can orchestrate containers within VMs, providing flexibility and scalability while maintaining security.

Conclusion

Containers and virtual machines each have their strengths, and the choice between them depends on your workload, performance needs, and security requirements. Containers shine in fast-paced, scalable, and cloud-native environments, while VMs are better suited for isolated, OS-specific, or legacy workloads. By understanding their differences, you can make informed decisions to optimize your infrastructure.

For more technical details, check out Microsoft’s documentation on containers vs. VMs.