26th  September, 2024   

VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and Azure VMware Solution (AVS): License Portability and Purchasing Options

As organizations assess the future of their VMware environments, many are opting to relinquish the management of on-premises infrastructure in favor of a cloud platform that can provide the agility and innovation required to meet their evolving needs.
With Microsoft's recent announcement regarding license portability of VCF to AVS, organizations now have more flexibility in managing their VMware private cloud environment in Azure.

Understanding VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)

VMware Cloud Foundation is a comprehensive software platform that combines VMware's compute, storage, and network virtualization technologies. It provides a unified solution for deploying and managing private and public cloud environments, enabling organizations to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Key Features of VCF:

• Integrated Stack: Combines VMware vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and vRealize Suite into a single platform.

• Automation: Facilitates automation of infrastructure management, reducing operational overhead.

• Hybrid Cloud Support: Allows seamless management of workloads across on-premises and cloud environments.

Exploring Azure VMware Solution (AVS)

Azure VMware Solution is a fully managed service that enables organizations to run VMware workloads natively on Microsoft Azure. This solution allows businesses to migrate their existing VMware environments to Azure without significant modifications, preserving their investments in VMware technologies.

Key Features of AVS:

• Seamless Migration: Facilitates the movement of VMware workloads to Azure with minimal disruption.

• Managed Infrastructure: Microsoft manages the underlying infrastructure, allowing IT teams to focus on application performance.

• Integration with Azure Services: Leverages Azure's extensive services, enhancing the capabilities of VMware workloads.

Microsoft's Announcement: VCF License Portability to AVS

On September 25, 2024, Microsoft announced that customers with VMware Cloud Foundation licenses can now utilize these licenses on Azure VMware Solution. This development provides organizations with two distinct purchasing options, enhancing flexibility and cost efficiency.

One Solution, Two Ways to Purchase

All customers will experience the same managed service environment with Azure VMware Solution, but they now have two purchasing options:

1. Purchase Azure VMware Solution from Microsoft with VCF Included: This option allows customers to acquire AVS along with VCF, simplifying the procurement process.

2. Purchase Azure VMware Solution from Microsoft and Leverage Portable VCF Subscriptions: Customers can utilize their existing VCF subscriptions purchased from VMware. In this case, they only pay Microsoft for the Azure VMware Solution service and infrastructure, avoiding the need to repurchase VCF licenses.

Both options ensure that organizations benefit from a fully managed Azure VMware Solution environment, running all the same VMware technologies. This guarantees a seamless and efficient cloud experience.

What Do You Get with Azure VMware Solution?

• A Fully Managed Service: Microsoft manages and maintains the cloud infrastructure and VMware software, allowing organizations to focus on their applications.

• VMware Cloud Foundation Stack: In addition to existing cloud infrastructure components such as vSphere®, vSAN™, NSX®, and HCX®, VCF introduces new capabilities like VCF Operations and VCF Automation (formerly known as Aria Suite).

• Free Extended Security Updates: Customers receive free extended security updates for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 and 2014 on Azure, enhancing security and compliance.

• Sustainability Benefits: The Azure VMware Solution environment is 52% more energy efficient and produces 58% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional on-premises virtualized datacenter solutions.

Conclusion

The integration of VMware Cloud Foundation with Azure VMware Solution, along with the new license portability feature, represents a significant advancement for organizations looking to modernize their IT infrastructure. With two flexible purchasing options, businesses can now optimize their cloud strategies while maintaining their existing VMware environments.

As organizations continue to navigate their cloud journeys, the ability to seamlessly transition between on-premises and cloud environments will be crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and operational efficiency.

Read more: Run VCF private clouds in Azure VMware Solution with support for portable VCF subscriptions