Azure Update - 31st January 2025

Key insights

• M-series Reservation Ratio Changes: Azure has updated the instance size flexibility ratios for M-series Virtual Machines as of December 6, 2024. This aims to optimize reservation discounts within instance size flexibility groups. Users should review these changes to understand their impact on deployments.


• Red Hat OpenShift in Spain Central: Azure Red Hat OpenShift is now available in the Spain Central region, allowing users to deploy and manage OpenShift clusters with integrated support from Microsoft and Red Hat.


• DevTest Labs Hibernation Support: Azure DevTest Labs introduced a hibernation feature for virtual machines, allowing VMs to pause while preserving their state. This helps reduce costs by pausing VMs without losing their current state.


• Enhanced VM Performance Diagnostics: Azure offers enhanced diagnostics for virtual machine performance, providing more granular insights into VM metrics for better monitoring and troubleshooting.


• Application Gateway Custom Error Pages: Azure Application Gateway now supports custom error pages, enabling users to configure personalized error messages for various HTTP status codes, enhancing user experience.


• New Azure Data Box Devices: The next generation of Azure Data Box devices is announced in public preview, offering improved performance and security features for efficient data transfer to Azure.

Introduction to Azure Updates

Azure, a leading cloud computing service by Microsoft, continues to evolve with regular updates and enhancements. The latest video by John Savill's MVP channel, released on January 31, 2025, offers a detailed overview of the recent changes and new features in Azure. This article breaks down these updates into manageable sections, providing insights into their implications and benefits.

M-series Reservation Ratio Changes

Azure has revised the instance size flexibility ratios for M-series Virtual Machines as of December 6, 2024. This update aims to optimize reservation discounts within instance size flexibility groups and their respective SKUs. Consequently, users with existing reservations might observe changes in their reservation coverage. It is advisable to review these updated ratios to understand their impact on your deployments. Balancing cost efficiency with performance needs can be challenging, but these changes are designed to provide a more flexible and economical approach to managing VM resources.

Red Hat OpenShift in Spain Central

Azure Red Hat OpenShift has expanded its availability to the Spain Central region. This development allows users in this area to deploy and manage OpenShift clusters with integrated support from both Microsoft and Red Hat. Such expansion is crucial for businesses operating in Europe, offering them the ability to leverage OpenShift's capabilities closer to their operational base. However, this also means navigating the complexities of regional compliance and data sovereignty laws, which can be a significant consideration for multinational enterprises.

DevTest Labs Enhancements

• Hibernation Support: Azure DevTest Labs has introduced a hibernation feature for virtual machines, currently in public preview. This feature allows VMs to pause while preserving their state, enabling applications and processes to resume from where they left off upon reactivation. Hibernation is particularly useful for scenarios where VMs don’t need to run continuously, helping to reduce costs by pausing VMs without losing their current state.


• Generation 2 VM Support: In addition, Azure DevTest Labs now offers enhanced support for Generation 2 (Gen 2) virtual machines, also in public preview. Gen 2 VMs provide key capabilities not available in Generation 1 VMs, such as increased memory, Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX), and virtualized persistent memory (vPMEM). Users can now choose between Generation 1 and Generation 2 versions of the same marketplace image when creating a VM in DevTest Labs.

These enhancements in DevTest Labs represent Azure's commitment to improving user experience and resource management. However, transitioning to new features requires careful planning to avoid disruptions in existing workflows.

Enhanced VM Performance Diagnostics

Azure has rolled out enhanced diagnostics for virtual machine performance, providing more granular insights into VM metrics. This improvement aids in better monitoring and troubleshooting of VM performance issues. By offering detailed analytics, users can identify bottlenecks and optimize their virtual environments more effectively. Nevertheless, the challenge lies in interpreting these metrics accurately and implementing the necessary adjustments to achieve optimal performance.

Application Gateway Custom Error Pages

Azure Application Gateway now supports custom error pages, allowing users to configure personalized error messages for various HTTP status codes. This feature enhances the user experience by providing branded and informative error pages. Customizing error pages can improve customer satisfaction by offering clear guidance during service interruptions. However, designing effective error messages requires understanding user behavior and expectations, which can be complex.

New Azure Data Box Devices

Azure has announced the next generation of Azure Data Box devices, currently in public preview. These devices offer improved performance and security features, facilitating efficient and secure data transfer to Azure. As data volumes grow, these enhancements are critical for businesses needing reliable and fast data migration solutions. However, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and processes remains a challenge that organizations must address.

Security and Compliance Updates

• HDInsight TLS 1.2 Requirement: Azure HDInsight now requires the use of TLS 1.2 for all HTTPS connections, enhancing the security of data in transit. Users are advised to ensure their clients and applications are configured to use TLS 1.2 to maintain compatibility.


• SQL Hyperscale Database Shrink: Azure SQL Database Hyperscale now supports the ability to shrink databases, allowing users to reclaim unused space and optimize storage costs.


• Azure Resource Manager TLS 1.2 Requirement: Azure Resource Manager (ARM) will require TLS 1.2 for all HTTPS connections starting March 1, 2025. Users should update their clients and scripts to use TLS 1.2 to ensure uninterrupted service.

These updates underscore Azure's focus on security and cost optimization. While adopting these changes can enhance protection against threats, it requires organizations to update their systems and ensure compliance with the latest standards.

Regional and AI Innovations

• Azure Key Vault Premium in China Cloud: Azure Key Vault Premium is now available in the China cloud, offering features like hardware security modules (HSMs) and increased transaction throughput for users in this region. This expansion provides Chinese businesses with access to advanced security features, though it also necessitates navigating local regulatory requirements.


• DeepSeek R1 in Azure AI Foundry: Azure AI Foundry has introduced DeepSeek R1, a new AI model designed to enhance data analysis and predictive capabilities across various industries. This innovation represents a significant step forward in AI-driven insights, though implementing such advanced models requires expertise and infrastructure investment.

Entra PowerShell Module

Microsoft has released the Entra PowerShell module, providing cmdlets to manage Azure Active Directory and related services more efficiently through automation scripts. This tool is invaluable for IT administrators seeking to streamline operations and improve productivity. However, mastering PowerShell scripting can be daunting for those unfamiliar with programming, necessitating training and practice.

Conclusion

These updates reflect Azure’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its services, improving performance, and providing users with more options to tailor their cloud environments. While the benefits are clear, implementing these changes involves balancing various factors such as cost, security, and user experience. Organizations must carefully consider these aspects to fully leverage Azure's capabilities and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Keywords

Azure Update January 2025 Azure News Cloud Computing Microsoft Azure Updates Latest Azure Features Azure Innovations 2025 Tech News Cloud Services