This three-day course on Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI) provides a comprehensive understanding of deploying, managing, and optimizing hybrid cloud infrastructures. The course begins with an introduction to Azure Local’s core concepts, architecture, and deployment process, including hands-on labs to configure and manage resources using Azure and the Windows Admin Center.　

Participants will explore advanced topics such as hybrid cloud integration with Azure services, software-defined networking (SDN), and high-availability configurations. The course also delves into running advanced workloads like Kubernetes clusters and Azure Virtual Desktop, alongside implementing robust security and compliance measures. Finally, attendees will learn about monitoring, troubleshooting, scaling, and future-proofing their Azure Local environments. With a mix of theoretical insights and practical exercises, this course equips IT professionals to maximize the potential of Azure Local for hybrid cloud solutions.

This course is designed for　IT professionals, system administrators, and cloud architects　who are responsible for planning, deploying, and managing hybrid cloud solutions. It is particularly suited for individuals working in　organizations leveraging Azure services alongside on-premises infrastructure　to meet business, regulatory, or latency requirements.

The ideal participants include those with experience in　virtualization technologies,　networking, and　storage solutions, as well as familiarity with　Windows Server environments. Professionals currently managing on-premises data centers or looking to integrate them with Azure services will benefit most.

Key audience groups:

• IT Administrators and Engineers:
　Responsible for deploying and maintaining virtualized workloads, high-availability clusters, and software-defined storage or networking.
• Cloud Architects:
　Designing hybrid environments that integrate Azure services with on-premises infrastructure.
• DevOps Professionals:
　Supporting advanced workloads like Kubernetes clusters and Azure Virtual Desktop on hybrid platforms.
• Security Professionals:
　Ensuring compliance and securing hybrid environments using Azure security features.

This course assumes a working knowledge of Windows Server, virtualization (e.g., Hyper-V), and basic networking principles. It is well-suited for organizations undergoing digital transformation or adopting hybrid cloud solutions to modernize their infrastructure

Module 1: Overview of Azure Local (Azure Stack HCI)

• Introduction to Azure Local
• Azure Local vs. Azure Cloud: Key Differences
• Use Cases and Benefits of Azure Local
• Licensing and Subscription Models

Module 2: Azure Local Architecture

Core Components and Building Blocks

Hardware Requirements and Certification

Networking and Storage Architecture

Module 3: Deployment of Azure Local

Planning and Pre-Requisites for Deployment

Hands-On Lab: Installing and Configuring Azure Local

• Validating Hardware
• Setting Up Networking
• Configuring the Operating System

Module 4: Managing Azure Local with Windows Admin Center

Overview of Windows Admin Center Integration

Setting Up Windows Admin Center for Azure Local

Hands-On Lab: Basic Management Tasks via Windows Admin Center

• Monitoring Performance
• Configuring Updates
• Managing Virtual Machines

Module 5: Hybrid Cloud Integration

Integrating Azure Local with Azure Services

Using Azure Arc for Resource Management

Hands-On Lab: Enabling Azure Arc Integration

Module 6: Networking and Storage in Azure Local

Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

• Configuring Virtual Switches and NICs
• Managing Network Security

Storage Spaces Direct (S2D)

• Configuring and Managing Storage Pools

Hands-On Lab: Setting Up SDN and S2D

Module 7: High Availability and Disaster Recovery

Cluster Management and Failover Clustering

Implementing Live Migration of Virtual Machines

Configuring Backup and Disaster Recovery with Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery

Hands-On Lab: Configuring a Highly Available Cluster

　

Module 8: Advanced Workloads on Azure Local

Hosting Virtualized Workloads

Running Kubernetes Clusters with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Deploying Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) on Azure Local

Hands-On Lab: Setting Up AKS or AVD

Module 9: Security and Compliance

Security Features in Azure Local

• Secure Boot, BitLocker, and Credential Guard

Compliance with Industry Standards

Hands-On Lab: Configuring Security Policies and Auditing

Module 10: Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Using Azure Monitor for Azure Local

Configuring Alerts and Diagnostics

Hands-On Lab: Setting Up Monitoring and Troubleshooting Common Issues

Module 11: Future-Proofing and Scaling Azure Local

Expanding Capacity and Upgrading Clusters

Emerging Features and Roadmap for Azure Local

Best Practices for Long-Term Management