Azure Update - 10th May 2024

Key insights

 

• Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS) now feature a flexible standby pool, enhancing scalability and management.
• Azure Red Hat OpenShift has been updated to version 4.14, providing users with the latest enhancements and features.
• The integration of Azure Container Apps with Azure Files NFS mount offers new capabilities for container storage.
• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) introduces disable outbound NAT feature and initialization taints for better control and security.
• The launch of new regions for Azure Storage Actions and the introduction of Ultra disk in Italy North expand Azure's global footprint and storage solutions.

 

Exploring the Latest Azure Updates

The Azure platform continues to evolve rapidly, introducing new features and enhancements that cater to a wide array of cloud computing needs. Among the notable updates in this recent announcement is the enhancement of Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS) with a flexible standby pool. This enhancement is poised to significantly improve scalability and the management of VM instances, making Azure an even more attractive option for companies seeking to optimize their cloud infrastructure.

Azure Weekly Update - 10th May 2024: A Comprehensive Summary

This week's Azure update brings forth a slew of enhancements and new features across various Azure services. Noteworthy among them are the updates to Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS), Azure Red Hat OpenShift, Azure Container Apps, and much more. Each improvement is aligned with providing users with greater flexibility, security, and efficiency in their cloud computing endeavors.

Key Highlights and Innovations

• New videos introducing the latest Azure features have been released, offering users insights into how they can leverage these updates to their advantage.
• The VMSS flexible standby pool feature now enables more efficient resource utilization, reducing costs while ensuring readiness for scale operations.
• A significant update is the integration of Azure Files NFS mount with Azure Container Apps, enhancing storage capabilities for containerized applications.

Azure Red Hat OpenShift 4.14 brings critical updates improving the deployment and management of containerized applications, ensuring high availability and seamless operations. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) has introduced features like disabling outbound NAT for tighter network security, initialization taints for better node management, and a new VS Code extension for improved developer productivity. Furthering its commitment to security, Azure has introduced AFD log scrubbing to ensure sensitive information is protected.

Regional Expansions and New Features

• Azure Storage Actions are now available in new regions, expanding its global footprint and providing users with more localized options for their storage needs.
• Ultra disk storage has been launched in Italy North, offering high throughput and low latency disk storage solutions for performance-sensitive workloads.
• The introduction of new versions of Cosmos DB API for Mongo DB and enhancements like keyboard shortcuts in Cosmos DB Explorer, CMK on existing accounts, adds to the database service's usability and security.

Developers working with PostgreSQL will find the addition of new minor versions for PostgreSQL flexible instances and the new TimescaleDB extension particularly beneficial. For those leveraging SQL Server on Azure VMs, the new Premium SSD v2 offers enhanced performance capabilities. Azure API Center has reached general availability, marking a significant milestone in facilitating seamless API management.

Advancements in Authentication and Regional Availability

• The New Mexico Central region is now part of Azure's ever-expanding global cloud region offerings, providing users more choices for hosting their services.
• Updates to Entra external authentication methods and the introduction of macOS platform Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities signify Azure's focus on enhancing security and user experience.

The closure of the update indicates continuous growth in Azure's services and regions, echoing Microsoft's commitment to delivering robust, secure, and efficient cloud solutions to its global user base.

 

People also ask

What's new in Azure 2024?

The newest General Availability (GA) API, released on 2024-02-01, stands as the latest iteration, succeeding the one from 2023-05-15. This version introduces extensive support for the most recent Azure OpenAI GA functionalities, including Whisper, DALLE-3, fine-tuning on user data, among others.

Is ADO being discontinued?

Given the anticipated eventual discontinuation of ADO, businesses are gearing towards migrating to GitHub. This shift allows them to leverage new CI/CD capabilities while retaining essential lifecycle management features familiar to ADO users, such as boards, test, and project management.

How often does Azure update?

As part of the Microsoft Community's policy, Azure Information Protection enforces policy updates every 24 hours for the classic client, confirming the veracity of these claims.

Does Azure update automatically?

Azure employs automatic VM guest patching to download and apply necessary Critical and Security patches to Azure VMs. This AutoPatching occurs monthly upon the release of new patches, incorporating a thorough assessment, installation, and the required rebooting of the VM as part of the process.

 

Keywords

Azure Update 2024, Azure Cloud Services 2024, Microsoft Azure News, May 2024 Azure Features, Azure Platform Enhancements, Azure Security Updates 2024, Azure Innovation, Azure Deployment 2024