Introduction
Azure Local brings Azure services into your data center with a consistent control plane. This page collects the docs, guides, and labs I use when planning and operating Azure Local environments. It mirrors my public GitHub list so you can search it directly on this site and keep track of updates.
GitHub source: https://github.com/schmittnieto/awesome-azure-local
Who is this for
- Cloud architects and platform engineers designing hybrid setups
- AVD administrators building or running desktops on Azure Local
- Operations teams that want proven references for day to day work
What you will find
- Official documentation and learning paths
- AVD on Azure Local
- AKS on Azure Local
- OEM notes and reference designs
- Tools, scripts, and community write ups
How to use it
- Use the table of contents to jump to a topic
- Press Ctrl F to search within the page
- Open links in a new tab to keep your place
If you spot a gap or a broken link, open an issue or pull request in the GitHub repo link.
Official
Only official links published or maintained by Microsoft or Azure.
What’s new in Azure Local (version 2601)
What’s new in hyperconverged deployments of Azure Local?
Version: 12.2601.1002.38
Release date: January 2026
A platform-focused release emphasizing security, operational visibility, and lifecycle consistency across all Azure Local deployments.
Platform and OS
- Unified operating system across all new and existing deployments.
- New baseline OS version 26100.32230, aligned with Windows Server 2025.
- Integrated System and Premier Solution hardware ship with the OS preinstalled and validated.
- Requires drivers compatible with OS 26100.32230 or Windows Server 2025.
Runtime updates
- Platform updated to .NET 8.0.22 for both .NET Runtime and ASP.NET Core.
Availability and resilience
- Rack aware clustering is now Generally Available (GA).
- Enables rack-based availability zones to improve resilience against rack-level failures.
Azure portal and operations
- Infrastructure logical network created during deployment is now visible in the Azure portal, preventing accidental workload placement.
- Diagnostics log collection can be initiated directly from the Azure portal for support and troubleshooting.
- VM Connect for Azure Local VMs (Preview) allows console access to Windows and Linux VMs without network connectivity or during boot failures.
Configuration integrity and lifecycle
- Drift detection framework introduced for Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI components.
- Validates deployed components against approved baselines and reports configuration or version drift.
- New Unique ID property for data disks simplifies identification and automation.
Security improvements
- Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement (DRTM) enabled for deployments created before version 2504, upgrading protection against firmware-level attacks.
- Existing deployments can now apply the 26100 (24H2) security baseline, aligning security posture with newly deployed systems.
Azure Local
- Azure Local Product Page
Official product page for Azure Local on the Azure website. - What is Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
Introduction to Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI) and its core components. - What is new in Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
Lists the latest features and improvements available in Azure Local. - Azure Local Deployment (Microsoft Docs)
First article in a series that describes how to deploy Azure Local. - Azure Local Pricing
Overview of licensing options, cost model, and subscription details. - Azure Local Hardware Catalog
Certified hardware from Microsoft partners. - Azure Local Sizer
Tool that estimates hardware requirements based on selected parameters. - Azure Hybrid Benefit on Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
Link describing the contractual requirements for using Azure Hybrid Benefit with Azure Local. - Azure Local Solutions Category
Overview of Azure Local solution types, outlining the differences between Validated Systems, Integrated Systems, and Premier solution. - Azure Local Security Book (Microsoft Docs)
The Azure Local security book discusses in detail the built-in security layers found in Azure Local, from core to cloud. - Optimize Azure Local using insights from a Well-Architected Review Assessment
Guidance on evaluating Azure Local environments with the Well-Architected Framework assessment to identify risks, measure maturity, and improve architecture quality. - Azure Local Baseline Architecture
Baseline reference architecture providing workload-agnostic guidance for configuring Azure Local 2311 and later, ensuring a reliable platform for highly available virtualized and containerized workloads. - Architecture Best Practices for Azure Local
Guidance aligned with the Azure Well-Architected Framework that outlines architectural recommendations for Azure Local and Azure Arc, supporting hybrid and edge deployments across validated hardware. - Rack Aware Cluster (Microsoft Docs)
This article provides an overview of the Azure Local rack aware clustering feature, including its benefits, use cases, supported configurations, and deployment requirements. Applies only to new deployments of Azure Local. - SDN enabled by Arc on Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
This article explains Software Defined Networking (SDN) enabled by Azure Arc on Azure Local. It describes SDN management methods, guidance on when to use each approach, and outlines supported and unsupported SDN scenarios. - What’s new in Azure Local for distributed locations (Tech Community)
Summary of Azure Ignite 2025 announcements highlighting SAN support (Preview), rack aware clustering (Preview), NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU support (GA), Azure Local for larger deployments (Preview), network segmentation (GA) and local identity with Azure Key Vault (Preview).
AVD
- Azure Virtual Desktop documentation (Microsoft Docs)
Complete documentation for deploying and managing Azure Virtual Desktop. - Deploying AVD on Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
Step-by-step guide for running Azure Virtual Desktop in an Azure Local environment. - AVD on Azure Local pricing
To view pricing for Azure Virtual Desktop on Azure Local, open the “Pricing overview tab” (the rate is currently “$0.01 per virtual core per hour”).
AKS
- Architecture overview for AKS on Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
Architecture overview for running AKS clusters on Azure Local. - AKS Deployment on Azure Local (Microsoft Docs)
How to create a Kubernetes cluster in the Azure portal; clusters are Azure Arc-connected by default. - SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc (Microsoft Docs)
Azure SQL Managed Instance that runs on your infrastructure of choice through Arc Data Services inside an AKS cluster. - KAITO - Kubernetes AI toolchain operator (Microsoft Docs)
This article describes how to deploy an AI model on AKS enabled by Azure Arc with the Kubernetes AI toolchain operator (KAITO). - Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) Baseline Architecture for AKS on Azure Local
Scenario describing how to design and implement a baseline architecture for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) running on Azure Local. - Deploy and operate apps with AKS enabled by Azure Arc on Azure Local
Recommendations for building an app deployment pipeline for containerized workloads using AKS enabled by Azure Arc on Azure Local, with guidance for GitOps-based operations. - AKS on Azure Local scale requirements
This article describes the minimum and maximum supported scale limits for AKS on Azure Local clusters and node pools.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
- Back up Azure Local virtual machines with Azure Backup Server (Microsoft Docs)
How to back up virtual machines on Azure Local by using Microsoft Azure Backup Server. - Azure Site Recovery on Azure Local (preview) (Microsoft Docs)
Guide to protect Windows and Linux workloads on Azure Local during a disaster.
GitHub Repositories
- Jumpstart Local Box
LocalBox is a turnkey solution that provides a complete sandbox for exploring Azure Local capabilities and hybrid cloud integration in a virtualized environment (hosted on Azure). - Arc Jumpstart source code
Source for Arc Jumpstart automation scripts and tools, supporting the official documentation site. - Azure Local Supportability Forum
Central repository for troubleshooting guides, known issues, and feedback used by support teams and the community. - Azure Local sample repository
Samples covering SDN training, security baselines, and alternate OS image download links such as the OS image tracking table. - MSLab
Scripts and resources to create nested Hyper-V labs, ideal for testing Azure Local in a virtual environment.
OEMs
Resources from key original equipment manufacturers with dedicated Azure Local content.
SBE
- Dell Azure Local SBE Updates
Main entry point for Dell firmware and driver update bundles validated for Azure Local. - Lenovo Azure Local SBE Updates
Main entry point for Lenovo firmware and driver update bundles validated for Azure Local. - HPE Azure Local SBE Updates
Main entry point for HPE firmware and driver update bundles validated for Azure Local.
Dell
- Dell - Azure Local Landing Page
Dell landing page for Azure Local. - Dell - Deployment Guides for Azure Local
Technical guides for Dell AX System for Azure Local or Dell AX System for Windows Server with operating system version 24H2 or Windows Server 2025 and later. - Dell - Azure Local Hands on Labs (GitHub)
Detailed guides on building a lab for Azure Local, tips, and deep dives. - Dell - Dell Technologies Solutions for Microsoft Azure - Azure Local
Website backed by the Dell GitHub repository that lists supported versions and architectural guidance for Azure Local. - Dell - Azure Local InfoHub
Main page that aggregates the Dell Azure Local resources mentioned above. - Dell - SBE Page
Page for managing firmware and driver updates on Dell hardware. - Dell - External Storage with PowerFlex for Azure Local (White Paper)
White paper explaining the possibility and results of adding external storage to Azure Local as Cluster Storage using Dell PowerFlex (currently the only supported option). - Dell - How to Expand a CSV in PowerShell and Windows Admin Center
Guide explaining how to expand a Cluster Shared Volume (CSV) or Virtual Disk in Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) using PowerShell and Windows Admin Center.
HPE
- HPE - Azure Local Landing Page
HPE landing page for Azure Local. - HPE - ProLiant for Azure Local Integrated Systems User Guide
Management guide for HPE ProLiant for Azure Local, aimed at administrators who install, manage, and troubleshoot servers. - HPE - Solutions for Azure Local - Deployment Guide
Technical white paper with solution guidelines and example configurations for Azure Local HCI on HPE ProLiant, Alletra, and Edgeline servers. - HPE - SBE Page
Page for managing firmware and driver updates on HPE hardware. - HPE - ProLiant for Azure Local Firmware and Software Compatibility Guide
A list of components, drivers and their status for system installation, especially useful for Validated Systems. - HPE - DL380 now part of Premier Solution category
Announcement confirming that HPE ProLiant DL380 systems are now included in the Azure Local Premier Solution category, expanding supported configurations for enterprise and AI workloads.
Lenovo
- Lenovo - Azure Local Landing Page
Lenovo landing page for Azure Local. - Lenovo - ThinkAgile MX Series for Microsoft Azure Local
Installation and deployment guides for Azure Local and related services on Lenovo hardware. - Lenovo - SBE Page
Page for managing firmware and driver updates on Lenovo hardware.
DataON
- DataON - Azure Local Landing Page
DataON landing page for Azure Local. - DataON - Azure Local Knowledge Base
Extensive knowledge base with articles covering many Azure Local services and components. - DataON - Azure Local Quick Reference Guide
Set of reference guides that compare Azure Local solutions and services. - DataON - SBE Page
Page for managing firmware and driver updates on DataON Hardware.
Fujitsu
- Fujitsu - Azure Local Landing Page
Fujitsu landing page for Azure Local with product information and references. - Fujitsu - Azure Local Infographic
Infographic that summarizes the Azure Local solution from Fujitsu.
Third Party
Independent vendors offering backup or AVD management solutions for Azure Local environments.
Backup Management
Software commonly used to perform backups of Azure Local infrastructure.
Veeam
- Veeam - Veeam Support for Azure Stack HCI
Documentation covering backup, restore, and replication of virtual machines on the initial Azure Stack HCI by Veeam Backup & Replication. - Veeam - VBR step by step configure Azure Stack HCI OS - Azure Local Backup
Community article offering a deeper technical implementation of Veeam Backup for Azure Local.
Commvault
- Commvault - Azure Local Configuration and Documentation
Guide to install and configure Commvault for protecting workloads on Azure Local. - Commvault - Blueprint for Azure Local (PDF)
Document explaining core concepts and Commvault capabilities for backing up Azure Local infrastructure.
AVD Management
Software used to manage Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure on Azure Local.
Nerdio
- Nerdio - Azure Local Landing Page
Objective overview of Azure Local, covering architecture, edge scenarios, security, connectivity, and pricing. - Nerdio - Integrate AVD resources provisioned to Azure Local with Nerdio Manager
Guide to integrate existing AVD infrastructure on Azure Local into Nerdio Manager for simpler management. - Nerdio - AVD for Azure Local and Nerdio Manager
How to configure Nerdio to manage tasks on Azure Local, including golden images and host pool configuration.
Hydra by Login VSI
- Hydra - Landing Page
Hydra product overview from Login VSI. - Hydra - Imaging, Rollout and Manage Azure Virtual Desktop on Azure Local
Article by Marcel Meurer on configuring Hydra for Azure Local.
Citrix
- Citrix Virtual Desktop / App - Connecting Azure Local
As of August 22, 2025, Citrix has published a guide on how to use Citrix Virtual Desktop and Apps with Azure Local.
Sizing
Tools to estimate Azure Local sizing and choose the right hardware.
Acuutech
- Acuutech - Azure Local Landing Page
Objective overview of Azure Local, covering architecture, edge scenarios, security, connectivity and pricing. - Acuutech - Scopesys Azure Local Sizing Tool
Make the design, configuration and ordering of Azure Local or Windows Server solutions easy, by removing the technical complexity associated with scoping Azure Local or Windows Server environments.
Community
Resources that do not come from Microsoft, OEMs, or the vendors listed in the Third Party section.
Blog
To avoid an excessive list, only entire blogs are referenced, not individual posts.
- schmitt-nieto.com
Yes, naming my own blog first is bad form, but here I share hands-on content about Azure Local implementation and management. - hybridcore.ca
Blog by Tiberiu Radu featuring, in my opinion, the best article on how to adopt (indirectly migrate) a VM from Hyper-V to Azure Local. - darifer.net
Blog by David Rivera with detailed posts in Spanish on Azure Local, covering version upgrades, deployment and comparisons with Windows Server. - mikemdm.de
Blog by MVP Michael Meier covering the topic Azure Local and AVD Labs. - blog.graa.dev
Blog by MVP Erik Grina Raassum focused on Azure Local and PowerShell implementations. - jtpedersen.com
Blog by MVP Jan-Tore Pedersen covering Azure Local troubleshooting and insights. - azurelab.blog
Italian-language blog by Luigi Pandolfino (MVP) and others about Azure Local and related topics. - chkja.dk
Blog by Christoffer Klarskov Jakobsen featuring Azure Local implementations. - thisismydemo.cloud
Blog by MVP Kristopher Turner on Azure Local and infrastructure solutions. - francescomolfese.it
Blog by MVP Francesco Molfese focused on Azure Local and IaC. - auxiliumtechtalk.com
Blog by Alyn Peden discussing real-world Azure Local scenarios. - jakewalsh.co.uk
Blog by MVP Jake Walsh on Azure Local implementations. - silviodibenedetto.com
Blog by MVP Silvio Di Benedetto on Azure Local and related topics. - hciharrison.com
Blog by MVP Lee Harrison covering all things Azure Local. - kennylowe.org
Blog by MVP Kenny Lowe on Azure Local and infrastructure. - erniecosta.com
Blog by MVP Ernie Costa focusing on Azure Local, Storage Spaces Direct and services. - thomasmaurer.ch
Blog by former Microsoft employee Thomas Maurer (Principal Program Manager & Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid) covering a wide range of Azure services, including Azure Local.
Most day-to-day news on Azure Local arrives first on LinkedIn. Here are two profiles worth following.
- Darryl van der Peijl
One of the most active MVPs posting news and technical content. He also runs the Azure Local Insider newsletter, which I recommend. - Dino Bordonaro
The MVP who brought me into this space. Practical content, including the article Why Expensive Azure Local Hardware Becomes Datacenter Decoration (7 Mistakes That Turn Investment Into Inventory). - Sven Langenfeld
Former Microsoft Senior Azure Local Commercial Sales Specialist (DACH) who leads a large Azure Local community across technical and business topics. Founder of the LinkedIn group Azure Local Tech Talk. - Manfred Helber
Germany-based MVP active in community events and live streams. - Karl Wester-Ebbinghaus
Germany-based MVP who contributes extensively to the Azure Local Tech Talk channel. - Flo Fox
Former Microsoft Senior Technical Program Manager (Azure Risk) who runs the Hybrid Friends YouTube channel.
YouTube
Channels that focus primarily on Azure Local rather than hosting only an occasional video.
- The Hybrid Friends
Practical use cases and deep dives in the Azure Local space. - Manfred Helber
German- and English-language channel by MVP Manfred Helber featuring Azure Local Show, a weekly update on Azure Local news. - Carsten Rachfall
German-language channel by MVP Carsten Rachfall streaming Azure Local and Azure Virtual Desktop implementations. - I am IT Geek - Shabaz Darr
Practical use cases by MVP Shabaz Darr covering topics like Azure Arc and Hybrid Kubernetes.
Github Repos & Tools
- schmittnieto - AzSHCI (GitHub)
This repository brings together multiple scripts, each with its own purpose and structure, allowing you to spin up a fully functioning Azure Local environment quickly. - bfrankMS - AzureLocal_AzStackHCI (GitHub)
Azure Local repository with findings on automating installations of HCI, AKS, and AVD. - Azure Local Sizing Guides (GitHub)
Azure Local Sizing Guides provides comprehensive documentation, best practices, and tools for deploying and managing Azure services, such as AKS, AVD, and Arc-enabled SQL Managed Instance, on Azure Local. This repository is maintained by Jonathan Vella, Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. - VMWare to Hyper-V VM Conversion tool in Windows Admin Center (Tool)
This agentless, cost-free tool streamlines the conversion of virtual machines from VMware to Windows Server with Hyper-V. - S2D Capacity Calculator (Tool)
Use this Storage Spaces Direct Calculator to estimate storage capacity, resiliency, and hardware requirements for your Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) deployment. - Azure Local Calculator (Tool)
A calculator currently focused mainly on pricing, since storage is covered by S2D Calculator and CPU is a separate track; created by me and available open source at Azure Local Calculator. - AVD - FSLogix Profile Status (Tool)
After the deprecation of FXTray, it became difficult to check the status of FSLogix profiles. With this PowerShell script, it is once again possible to verify profile status in a simple and centralized way.
Chats & Channels
- Azure Local Slack Channel
Slack channel (the real Community) managed by Darryl van der Peijl that provides community support for all Azure Local questions.
Trainings
- Azure Local Accreditation 2025
Part of the official Microsoft Learn documentation, this training path helps you get in touch with Azure Local and its core capabilities. - Azure Local Training
Training module covering how to deploy and register Azure Local using OEM licenses, among other key topics.
Events
| Name | Description | Price | Remote | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community-driven event focused on Azure Virtual Desktop and Azure Local integration. | ||||
| Flagship Microsoft conference featuring hybrid cloud and Azure Local sessions. | 2325 $ | Yes (Digital pass are Free) | November 17-21, 2025 | |
| Discover what’s new in Azure Local, see a live demo, and hear from a customer modernizing operations and enabling AI in a regulated environment. | Included in Ignite pass | Yes | November 18, 2025 | |
| Two-day conference in German on Microsoft hybrid infrastructure (Windows Server, Azure Local, and Azure Arc). | 299€ / 599 € | No | November 26-27, 2025 | |
| MC2MC - Antwerp (Belgium) | MC2MC Connect is a dynamic, full-day event for tech professionals, enthusiasts, and IT decision-makers, centered on three core Microsoft focus areas: Cloud / Hybrid, Endpoint & Security, Compliance and Identity | 137,81€ / 162,14 € | No | February 05, 2026 |
| Experts Live Germany 2026 - Leipzig (Germany) | Community conference bringing together the German-speaking IT community around Microsoft Cloud & AI, On-Premises, Hybrid, Workplace and Security. Includes sessions, demos, discussions with MVPs and Microsoft experts, plus optional deep-dive workshops. | €249–€499 (net, depending on ticket type) | No | March 3–4, 2026 |
| CDC Germany 2026 - Hanau (Germany) | Two-day Cloud & Datacenter Conference focused on real-world Microsoft infrastructure topics such as Azure Local, Windows Server, Hyper-V and Hybrid Cloud. | €499–€999 (net, depending on ticket type) | No | September 30 – October 1, 2026 |
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