Independent compute and storage scaling, Azure-consistent operations, and enterprise-class data services for on-premises modernization.
Enterprises increasingly value the consistency of Azure operations, but many still need to run critical workloads on premises for performance, compliance, sovereignty, or operational reasons.
Now generally available, Azure Local with NetApp® external storage allows organizations to extend Azure-consistent operations into the datacenter with enterprise-class storage, independent compute and storage scaling, and a unified management experience across core, edge, and cloud.
This GA milestone builds on Microsoft’s external storage support for Azure Local and underscores NetApp’s role as the strategic storage partner for customers who need greater scale, flexibility, and operational consistency. Using familiar Azure tools such as Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, and Azure Update Manager, enterprises can manage distributed environments with greater consistency while relying on NetApp ONTAP® powered storage for performance, protection, efficiency, security, and cyber resilience.
What’s New
Azure Local with NetApp external storage is now generally available, enabling customers to attach enterprise-class ONTAP storage to Azure Local clusters. This gives organizations the ability to scale compute and storage independently, support larger VM estates and storage-intensive workloads, and extend Azure-consistent operations into core enterprise datacenter environments.
Why NetApp for Azure Local
Bring the benefits of Azure Local to your on-premises deployments:
- Enterprise-Class Scale for Azure Local: As organizations establish or expand their on-premises Azure Local deployments, they can now attach NetApp enterprise-class external storage to support larger footprint VM estates, storage-intensive workloads, and applications requiring low latency, while enabling independent compute and storage scaling for greater flexibility and cost efficiency.
- Hybrid Consistency and Seamless Data Mobility: By leveraging ONTAP-based storage across on-premises clusters and Azure NetApp Files or NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP, customers gain a consistent foundation for data management. Tasks such as migration, backup, replication, and data governance can be managed more consistently across environments, an increasingly important requirement in hybrid and multicloud strategies.
- Unified Azure Management: Enterprises can continue to use familiar Azure tools, including Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, and Azure Update Manager, to administer their infrastructure. NetApp extends this model with enterprise-grade data services, built-in efficiency, encryption, security, and AI-powered Autonomous Ransomware Protection, helping customers apply consistent operational practices across environments.
Built for Modernization
A Practical Path Forward
Many organizations reevaluating their virtualization strategy are looking for a path forward that minimizes disruption. Azure Local combined with NetApp delivers a trusted, secure, enterprise-ready foundation for virtualized workloads, pairing Microsoft’s modular compute platform with resilient, high-performance storage.
Support for a Broad Range of Workloads, from Small VM Environments to Large-Scale Deployments
Azure’s leadership in helping organizations address data residency, compliance, and performance requirements can help regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and the public sector modernize with greater confidence and reduced risk.
Core Use Cases at GA
- Scale larger VM deployments, storage-intensive workloads, and low-latency applications while growing compute and storage independently
- VM estate modernization with Azure Local and persistent, enterprise-class storage
- Hybrid cloud and edge-to-cloud strategies with consistent Azure operations
- Large Microsoft-centric VM environments that need predictable scaling and performance
- Highly regulated workloads requiring Azure-consistent, on-premises operations and low-latency access
A Milestone Built with Customer Input
This release was shaped and validated through close collaboration with Microsoft and early adopter customers in real-world environments, including Fibre Channel-connected and performance-sensitive deployments. That experience helped refine deployment guidance and operational practices, giving customers greater confidence in an enterprise-ready solution from day one.
Move Forward with Confidence
General availability is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning. NetApp and Microsoft will continue to build on this foundation with additional guidance, automation, and migration capabilities. This includes planned integration with tools such as NetApp Shift Toolkit to help customers simplify migration to Azure Local and accelerate virtualization modernization.
To get started, review the Microsoft guidance for enabling NetApp external storage with Azure Local, and connect with your NetApp or Microsoft team to validate configurations and plan your deployment.