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 2604)

What’s new in hyperconverged deployments of Azure Local?

Version: 12.2604.1003.209
Release date: April 2026

A major release focused on disaggregated deployments, SAN, VM management, deployment speed and broader Azure portal improvements.

Platform and OS

  • Unified operating system across all new and existing deployments.
  • New baseline OS version 26100.32690, aligned with Windows Server 2025.
  • Integrated System and Premier Solution hardware ship with the OS preinstalled and validated.
  • Requires drivers compatible with OS 26100.32690 or Windows Server 2025.

Runtime updates

  • Platform updated to .NET 8.0.26 for both .NET Runtime and ASP.NET Core.
  • Also includes .NET 10.0.6 for both .NET Runtime and ASP.NET Core.

AKS and Kubernetes

  • Supports Kubernetes versions 1.31.x, 1.32.x, and 1.33.x.
  • Kubernetes 1.30 is no longer supported.
  • KMS v2 is included and KMS v1 will be deprecated, so cluster redeployment planning is recommended.
  • AKS clusters should be validated on a supported Kubernetes version before upgrading Azure Local.

Storage and deployment architecture

  • Disaggregated deployments now supported, allowing Azure Local to use SAN-only storage.
  • SAN support is now Generally Available (GA) and can be used alongside Storage Spaces Direct.
  • Enables independent scaling of compute and storage, including clusters beyond 16 nodes.

Identity and deployment

  • Local identity with Key Vault is now Generally Available (GA).
  • Domain join prior to deployment is now supported.
  • Update settings management is now available, giving administrators more control over how updates are applied.

Deployment and validation improvements

  • Validation time reduced by up to 50% during deployment and update workflows.
  • Validation can now resume from the point of failure within a three-hour window.
  • Deployment time is now more consistent for clusters up to 8 nodes, with overall improvements of up to 40%.

Cluster and VM improvements

  • Rack aware clustering now supports deployments using local identity with Azure Key Vault.
  • GPU acceleration for Azure Local VMs is now Generally Available (GA).
  • Supports attaching and detaching full GPUs (DDA) or GPU partitions (GPU-P) during VM creation or as a Day-2 operation.

Azure portal experience

  • Enhanced data disk management with richer cluster-level disk views and the ability to attach existing disks directly from the VM view.
  • Improved Azure Marketplace image navigation with a full-page view for image selection.
  • Graceful restart is now the default for Azure Local VMs, with an option to bypass shutdown using --skip-shutdown.
  • SDN management can now be enabled or disabled per network interface, using the --bypass-sdn-policies flag.

Reliability

  • Includes multiple reliability improvements and general bug fixes across deployment, update, and day-to-day operations.

Azure Local

AVD

AKS

Backup and Disaster Recovery

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

HPE

Lenovo

DataON

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

Commvault

AVD Management

Software used to manage Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure on Azure Local.

Nerdio

Hydra by Login VSI

Citrix

Sizing

Tools to estimate Azure Local sizing and choose the right hardware.

Acuutech

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.

LinkedIn

Most day-to-day news on Azure Local arrives first on LinkedIn. Here are two profiles worth following.

YouTube

Channels that focus primarily on Azure Local rather than hosting only an occasional video.

  • Azure Hybrid Insider
    YouTube channel managed by Alexander Ortha, focused on Azure Arc, Azure Local, and hybrid integrations across Azure.
  • 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.
  • Odin for Azure Local (Tool)
    Odin, inspired by the Norse god of strategy and architecture, is an Optimal Deployment and Infrastructure Navigator for Azure Local. It provides a decision-tree interface to help select the appropriate Azure Local deployment type and instance design based on validated architecture and network configuration guidance.
  • Azure Local LENS Workbook (Tool)
    A community-driven Azure Workbook that delivers deep insights into the status, compliance, and operational trends of large Azure Local fleets in minutes.
  • GetToThe-Cloud - Website (GitHub)
    Source repository for the GetToThe.Cloud website, including the scripts used across the site, such as Terraform-based examples and other deployment resources.

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
AVD Tech Fest - Berlin (Germany) Community-driven event focused on Azure Virtual Desktop and Azure Local integration. 99 € No September 10-11, 2025
Microsoft Ignite - San Francisco (USA) Flagship Microsoft conference featuring hybrid cloud and Azure Local sessions. 2325 $ Yes (Digital pass are Free) November 17-21, 2025
Microsoft Ignite 2025 - Breakout Session BRK147 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
HybrIT - Würzburg (Germany) 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
Windows Server Summit 2026 Free virtual event covering Windows Server 2025 in practice, networking updates, server management roadmap and tooling, hybrid scenarios with Azure Arc, and an early look at Windows Server vNext. Free Yes May 11–13, 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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