Azure virtual machines get a free upgrade

Posted on Tuesday January 30, 2018

Virtualization is difficult to understand. The technology itself is complex, and the industry is dominated by vendors that the average business owner has never heard of. Almost everyone knows Microsoft though, and its virtualization platform just got a big speed boost that won't cost users a thing -- if they know how to take advantage of it.

Azure: Microsoft's virtualization platform

As a full-service cloud solution, Azure is a secure and flexible data center that businesses of all sizes can benefit from. Azure services include cloud storage, web hosting, and even some customizable AI features. With the help of a trained professional, Microsoft's platform can provide access to virtual machines, which are fully-furnished desktops users can log into and work from via the internet.

One of the reasons Azure is such a flexible cloud solution is because it can easily integrate with solutions businesses maintain on premises to become a hybrid platform.

Faster virtualization options

Microsoft has been testing a new feature -- referred to as Accelerated Networking -- for a year and a half, and it's finally available for all users. Without getting too technical, this upgrade allows Azure to remove enormous computing workloads from its service delivery process.

Any business that uses Microsoft's cloud service for virtualization solutions can now access up to 30 gigabits per second of network throughput, which means Azure-based virtual machines and applications will be even faster than before.

Do SMBs really need this much speed?

Although the Accelerated Networking feature is free, enabling it requires quite a bit of IT expertise, so don't expect it to be set up overnight. In fact, for small businesses that pay for tech support per project or by the hour, this upgrade may not be worth it. However, if you're on an unlimited support plan from a managed IT services provider, you might as well -- it won't cost you anything extra!

With our team as your 24/7 technology resource, you don't need to understand the intricacies of virtualization. Whether it's speed enhancements or security optimizations, our team will make sure your solution always gives you the best return on your investment. Call us today to learn more about our virtualization services.