What is Azure Stack Hub?
Azure Stack Hub is an integrated hardware platform that delivers Azure services in your own data center. Organizations can run Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Functions, Kubernetes and other Azure services locally while using the same APIs, tools and processes as in the public Azure Cloud.
The platform targets organizations with strict requirements for data residency, regulatory compliance or network latency. Azure Stack Hub can operate both with an existing Azure cloud connection (connected) and fully isolated (disconnected).
Azure Stack Hub is delivered as a validated hardware system from partners such as Dell, HPE, Lenovo and Cisco and receives regular updates from Microsoft.
Core Features
- Azure-consistent IaaS and PaaS services in your own data center
- Identical APIs and tools as Azure Public Cloud (ARM, CLI, PowerShell)
- Connected and disconnected operating modes
- Integrated Azure Marketplace with validated applications
- Self-service portal for tenants with role-based access control
Typical Use Cases
Regulated Industries: Financial services, government agencies and healthcare organizations that want to use Azure services but cannot allow their data to leave their own data center.
Edge Locations: Factories, oil platforms or remote locations with limited or no internet connectivity that still need cloud application models.
Hybrid Architectures: Distributing workloads between Azure Public Cloud and local infrastructure based on latency, cost or compliance requirements.
Benefits
- Consistent development and operations model across cloud and on-premises
- Full data sovereignty: data does not leave your own data center
- Flexible billing: usage-based or capacity-based
- Regular updates from Microsoft for security and new features
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Azure Stack Hub and Azure Stack HCI?
Azure Stack Hub is a complete Azure extension for your own data center with its own portal and marketplace. Azure Stack HCI is a hyperconverged infrastructure solution primarily for virtualization. Stack Hub offers PaaS services, Stack HCI focuses on VMs and Kubernetes.
Can Azure Stack Hub operate without internet connectivity?
Yes. In disconnected mode, Azure Stack Hub functions fully offline. Updates are then applied manually and billing is capacity-based rather than usage-based.
Which Azure services are available on Azure Stack Hub?
Available services include Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Functions, Event Hubs, Kubernetes (AKS Engine), Key Vault, Azure SQL and Storage Services. Not all Azure services are available on Stack Hub.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you with Azure Stack Hub: from evaluation and capacity planning to setup and configuration, ongoing operations and integration with Azure Public Cloud.
