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Azure VMWare (AVS) Cost Optimization Using Azure Migrate Tool
What is AVS? Azure VMware Solution provides private clouds that contain VMware vSphere clusters built from dedicated bare-metal Azure infrastructure. Azure VMware Solution is available in Azure Commercial and Azure Government. The minimum initial deployment is three hosts, with the option to add more hosts, up to a maximum of 16 hosts per cluster. All provisioned private clouds have VMware vCenter Server, VMware vSAN, VMware vSphere, and VMware NSX. As a result, you can migrate workloads from your on-premises environments, deploy new virtual machines (VMs), and consume Azure services from your private clouds. Learn More: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/introduction What is Azure Migrate Tool? Azure Migrate is a comprehensive service designed to help you plan and execute your migration to Azure. It provides a unified platform to discover, assess, and migrate your on-premises resources, including servers, databases, web apps, and virtual desktops, to Azure. The tool offers features like dependency analysis, cost estimation, and readiness assessments to ensure a smooth and efficient migration process. Learn More: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-services-overview How Azure Migrate can be used to Discover and Assess AVS? Azure Migrate enables the discovery and assessment of Azure VMware Solution (AVS) environments by collecting inventory and performance data from on-premises VMware environments, either through direct integration with vCenter (via Appliance) or by importing data from tools like RVTools. Using Azure Migrate, organizations can analyze the compatibility of their VMware workloads for migration to AVS, assess costs, and evaluate performance requirements. The process involves creating an Azure Migrate project, discovering VMware VMs, and generating assessments that provide insights into resource utilization, right-sizing recommendations, and estimated costs in AVS. This streamlined approach helps plan and execute migrations effectively while ensuring workloads are optimized for the target AVS environment. Note: We will be narrating the RVtools Import method in this article. What Is RVTools? RVTools is a lightweight, free utility designed for VMware administrators to collect, analyze, and export detailed inventory and performance data from VMware vSphere environments. Developed by Rob de Veij, RVTools connects to vCenter or ESXi hosts using VMware's vSphere Management SDK to retrieve comprehensive information about the virtual infrastructure. Key Features of RVTools: Inventory Management: Provides detailed information about virtual machines (VMs), hosts, clusters, datastores, networks, and snapshots. Includes details like VM names, operating systems, IP addresses, resource allocations (CPU, memory, storage), and more. Performance Insights: Offers visibility into resource utilization, including CPU and memory usage, disk space, and VM states (e.g., powered on/off). Snapshot Analysis: Identifies unused or orphaned snapshots, helping to optimize storage and reduce overhead. Export to Excel: Allows users to export all collected data into an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) for analysis, reporting, and integration with tools like Azure Migrate. Health Checks: Identifies configuration issues, such as disconnected hosts, orphaned VMs, or outdated VMware Tools versions. User-Friendly Interface: Displays information in tabular form across multiple tabs, making it easy to navigate and analyze specific components of the VMware environment. Hand-on LAB Disclaimer: The data used for this LAB has no relationship with real world scenarios. This sample data is self-created by the author and purely for understanding the concept. To discover and assess your Azure VMware Solution (AVS) environment using an RVTools extract report in the Azure Migrate tool, follow these steps: Prerequisites RVTools Setup: Download and install RVTools from the RVTools Download Ensure connectivity to your vCenter server. Extract the data by running RVTools and saving the output as an Excel (.xlsx) file Permissions: You need at least the Contributor role on the Azure Migrate project. Ensure that you have appropriate permissions in your vCenter environment to collect inventory and performance data. File Requirements: The RVTools file must be saved in .xlsx format without renaming or modifying the tabs or column headers. Note: Sample Sheet: Please check the attachment included with this article. Note that this is not the complete format; some tabs and columns have been removed for simplicity. During the actual discovery and assessment process, please do not modify the tabs or columns. Procedure Step 1: Export Data from RVTools Follow the steps provided in official website to get RVTools Extract Sample Sheet: Please check the attachment included with this article. Note that this is not the complete format; some tabs and columns have been removed for simplicity. During the actual discovery and assessment process, please do not modify the tabs or columns. Step 2: Discover Log in to the Azure portal. Navigate to Azure Migrate and select your project or create new project. Under Migration goals, select Servers, databases and web apps. On Azure Migrate | Servers, databases and web apps page, under Assessment tools, select Discover and then select Using import. In Discover page, in File type, select VMware inventory (RVTools XLSX). In the Step 1: Import the file section, select the RVTools XLSX file and then select Import. Wait for some time to Import Once import completed check for Error Messages if any and rectify those and re upload, otherwise wait 10-15 minutes to reflect imported VMs in the discovery. Post discovery Reference Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/vmware/tutorial-import-vmware-using-rvtools-xlsx?context=%2Fazure%2Fmigrate%2Fcontext%2Fvmware-context Step 3: Assess After the upload is complete, navigate to the Servers tab. Click on Assess -->Azure VMware Solution to assess the discovered machines. Edit assessment settings based on your requirements and Save Target region: Select the Azure region for the migration. Node Type: Specify the Azure VMware Solution series (e.g., AV36, AV36P). Pricing model: Select pay-as-you-go or reserved instance pricing. Discount: Specify any available discounts. Note: We will be explaining all the parameters in optimize session. As of now just review and leave parameters as it is. In Assess Servers, select Next. In Select servers to assess > Assessment name > specify a name for the assessment. In Select or create a group > select Create New and specify a group name. Select the appliance and select the servers you want to add to the group. Then select Next. In Review + create assessment, review the assessment details, and select Create Assessment to create the group and run the assessment. Step 4: Review the Assessment View an assessment In Windows, Linux and SQL Server > Azure Migrate: Discovery and assessment, select the number next to Azure VMware Solution. In Assessments, select an assessment to open it. As an example (estimations and costs, for example, only): Review the assessment summary. You can select Sizing assumptions to understand the assumptions that went in node sizing and resource utilization calculations. You can also edit the assessment properties or recalculate the assessment. Step 5: Optimize We have received a report without any optimization in our previous steps. Now we can follow below steps to optimize the cost and node count even further High level steps: Find limiting factor Find which component in settings are mapped for optimization depending on limiting factor Try to adjust the mapped component according to Scenario and Comfort Find Limiting factor: First understand which component (CPU, memory and storage) is deciding your ESXI Node count. This will be highlighted in the report The limiting factor shown in assessments could be CPU or memory or storage resources based on the utilization on nodes. It is the resource, which is limiting or determining the number of hosts/nodes required to accommodate the resources. For example, in an assessment if it was found that after migrating 8 VMware VMs to Azure VMware Solution, 50% of CPU resources will be utilized, 14% of memory is utilized and 18% of storage will be utilized on the 3 Av36 nodes and thus CPU is the limiting factor. Find which option in the setting can be used to optimize: This is depending on the limiting factor. For eg: If Limiting factor is CPU, which means you have high CPU requirement and CPU oversubscription can be used to optimize ESXI Node. Likewise, if storage is the limiting factor editing FTT, RAID or introducing External storage like ANF will help you to reduce Node count. Even reducing one node count will create a huge impact in dollar value. Let's understand how over commitment or over subscription works with simple example. Let's suppose I have two VMs with below specification Name CPU Memory Storage VM1 9 vCPU 200 GB 500 GB VM2 4 vCPU 200 GB 500 GB Total 13 vCPU 400 GB 1000 GB We have EXSI Node which has below capacity: vCPU 10 Memory 500 GB storage 1024 GB Now without optimization I need two ESXI node to accommodate 13 vCPU of total requirement. But let's suppose VM1 and VM2 doesn't consume entire capacity all the time. The total capacity usage at a time will not go beyond 10. then I can accommodate both VM in same ESXI node, Hence I can reduce my node count and cost. Which means it is possible to share resources among both VMs. Without optimization With optimization Parameters effecting Sizing and Pricing CPU Oversubscription Specifies the ratio of number of virtual cores tied to one physical core in the Azure VMware Solution node. The default value in the calculations is 4 vCPU:1 physical core in Azure VMware Solution. API users can set this value as an integer. Note that vCPU Oversubscription > 4:1 may impact workloads depending on their CPU usage. Memory overcommit factor Specifies the ratio of memory overcommit on the cluster. A value of 1 represents 100% memory use, 0.5, for example is 50%, and 2 would be using 200% of available memory. You can only add values from 0.5 to 10 up to one decimal place. Deduplication and compression factor Specifies the anticipated deduplication and compression factor for your workloads. Actual value can be obtained from on-premises vSAN or storage configurations. These vary by workload. A value of 3 would mean 3x so for 300GB disk only 100GB storage would be used. A value of 1 would mean no deduplication or compression. You can only add values from 1 to 10 up to one decimal place. FTT : How many device failure can be tolerated for a VM RAID : RAID stands for Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks Explains how data should be stored for redundancy Mirroring : Data will be duplicated as it is to another disk E.g.: To protect a 100 GB VM object by using RAID-1 (Mirroring) with an FTT of 1, you consume 200 GB. Erasure Coding : Erasure coding divides data into chunks and calculates parity information (redundant data) across multiple storage devices. This allows data reconstruction even if some chunks are lost, similar to RAID, but typically more space-efficient E.g.: to protect a 100 GB VM object by using RAID-5 (Erasure Coding) with an FTT of 1, you consume 133.33 GB. Comfort Factor: Azure Migrate considers a buffer (comfort factor) during assessment. This buffer is applied on top of server utilization data for VMs (CPU, memory and disk). The comfort factor accounts for issues such as seasonal usage, short performance history, and likely increases in future usage. For example, a 10-core VM with 20% utilization normally results in a 2-core VM. However, with a comfort factor of 2.0x, the result is a 4-core VM instead. AVS SKU Sizes Optimization Result In this example we got to know that CPU is my limiting factor hence I have adjusted CPU over subscription value from 4:1 to 8:1 Reduced node count from 6 (3 AV36P+3 AV64) to 5 AV36P Reduced Cost by 31% Note: Over-provisioning or over-committing can put your VMs at risk. However, in Azure Cloud, you can create alarms to warn you of unexpected demand increases and add new ESXi nodes on demand. This is the beauty of the cloud: if your resources are under-provisioned, you can scale up or down at any time. Running your resources in an optimized environment not only saves your budget but also allows you to allocate funds for more innovative ideas.
Device In Azure AD showing as not compliant, yet in Intune the device is fine and compliant
Hello All I have several devices that are now failing SSO logins because of Conditional Access retuning as the device is not Compliant, Checking the device in Azure AD (Entra) is clearly shows the device is not compliant, which explains why the SSO logins are blocked. But when I check the device in Intune (Endpoint) it shows the device is compliant and all good (you will have to take my word the 2 screen shots are the same device as the host name is blurred) When checking the device ID in Azure AD and Intune they all match as you would expect. The Devices are checking in and Syncing with Azure and Intune on a regular basis. Azure is just not updating with the correct Compliance status from Intune. Any Ideas what is happening Cheers ColinPassed AZ-104 Exam in 2025 with Practice Questions
I’m happy to share that I passed the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator exam on September 28, 2025, with a score of 865/1000. I began my preparation on July 10, 2025, mainly using Microsoft Learn modules, hands-on practice in Azure, and practice questions from SkillCertExams. The practice sets really helped me get familiar with scenario-based questions and time management. I received my official result on September 30, 2025, and I can say the effort was worth it. My advice: focus on understanding how Azure services connect, take practice tests under timed conditions, and carefully review every mistake. Good luck to everyone.
From Doubt to Victory: How I Passed Microsoft SC-200
Hey everyone! I wanted to share my journey of how I went from doubting my chances to successfully passing the Microsoft SC-200 exam. At first, the idea of taking the SC-200 seemed overwhelming. With so many topics to cover, especially with the integration of Microsoft security technologies, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. But after months of studying and staying consistent, I finally passed! 🎉 Here’s what worked for me: Study Plan: I created a structured study schedule and stuck to it. I broke down each section of the exam objectives and allocated time for each part. Authentic Exam Questions: I used it-examstest for practice exams. Their realistic test format helped me get a good grasp of the exam pattern. Plus, the explanations for the answers were super helpful in understanding the concepts. Practice Exams: I did multiple mock tests. Honestly, they helped me more than I expected! They boosted my confidence, and I could pinpoint areas where I needed to improve. SC-200 Study Materials: I relied on a combination of online courses, books, and video resources. Watching the study videos and taking notes helped me retain the information better. Don’t Cram: I didn’t leave things to the last minute. It took me about 2-3 months of consistent study to get comfortable with the material. I made sure to take breaks and not burn myself out. Passing this exam felt amazing! If you're in the same boat and feeling uncertain, just stick with it! It’s a challenging exam, but with the right tools and preparation, you can do it. Keep pushing forward, and good luck to everyone! 💪 Would be happy to answer any questions if anyone has them!How Azure AI is Revolutionizing Supply Chain Forecasting and Inventory
In today’s fast-paced global marketplace, supply chain efficiency can make or break a business. Companies face constant challenges such as demand fluctuations, supplier disruptions, and shifting customer expectations. Traditional forecasting methods—often reliant on historical data and rigid models—are no longer enough. This is where Azure AI is stepping in, transforming supply chain forecasting and inventory management with intelligent, adaptive, and real-time solutions. https://dellenny.com/how-azure-ai-is-revolutionizing-supply-chain-forecasting-and-inventory/Optimizing Azure DevOps Jira Integration: 5 Practical Use Cases for DevOps Teams
Many teams rely on Azure DevOps (ADO) for development and Jira for project or product management. While each tool is powerful on its own, things often get messy when work items, statuses, and updates live in separate systems. Integrating the two platforms can remove a lot of friction. Below are six common use cases I have seen from real teams, with concrete problems and solutions to make the connection between Jira and Azure DevOps work smoothly. 1. Keeping User Stories and Bugs in Sync Challenge: Teams use Jira for user requests and Azure DevOps for development tasks. Manually updating both systems is tedious and error-prone. Solution: Enable two-way synchronization so that changes in Jira automatically reflect in Azure DevOps and vice versa (including comments and status updates). This keeps bugs and stories aligned without duplicate work. “Before we integrated Jira with Aure DevOps, I spent too much time manually updating task statuses in both systems. Now, with the automatic sync, my team is focused on actual coding work instead of managing project statuses across platforms.” — DevOps Engineer 2. One-Way Sync for Project Management–First Teams Challenge: Some organizations plan and track everything in Jira but manage code exclusively in Azure DevOps. Developers only need the essentials pushed across. Solution: Use a one-way sync from Jira → Azure DevOps to bring over metadata like titles, statuses, sprints, and due dates. Developers see the context they need without cluttering both systems with manual updates. “We rely on Jira for all project planning and management, but the developers need a clean workspace in Azure DevOps. A one-way sync from Jira to ADO helps us keep things efficient and ensures developers always have the latest information without double entry.” — Product Owner 3. Creating Jira Tickets from Azure DevOps Tasks or Bugs Challenge: External partners or stakeholders may only work in Jira Service Management to manage tickets. Developers in Azure DevOps often need their work mirrored for transparency. Solution: Configure automated ticket creation in Jira when certain ADO tasks are tagged. Both teams can track progress in their preferred tool without duplicating effort. “We use Azure DevOps internally, but our external stakeholders only work in Jira. Automating the creation of Jira tickets based on Azure DevOps tasks or bugs has made collaboration seamless and ensured no work is lost in translation.” — DevOps Lead 4. Syncing Epics, Features, and Work Items Challenge: High-level epics might live in Jira, while features and tasks are managed in Azure DevOps. Without integration, visibility across systems is fragmented. Solution: Sync epics and features so Jira provides portfolio-level visibility, while Azure DevOps remains the system of record for detailed development work. This keeps roadmaps and execution aligned. “Tracking epics in Jira while managing the technical work in Azure DevOps used to cause us to lose visibility. Now, everything from high-level epics to individual tasks is in sync, so we always know where we stand.” — Azure DevOps Product Manager 5. Managing Multiple Jira Projects with One Azure DevOps Project Challenge: Large organizations often run multiple Jira projects (by teams or business units) but only one Azure DevOPs project for development. Syncing everything consistently is tough. Solution: Map multiple Jira projects to a single Azure DevOps project, syncing only the key data (titles, statuses, sprints, custom fields). This creates a unified development view without losing project-specific details. “We have multiple teams using different Jira projects, but we consolidate all development work into a single Azure DevOps project. Syncing across these platforms used to be a nightmare, but now everything stays aligned, and we’re able to track all initiatives in one place.” — Azure DevOps Engineer 💬 Have you integrated Jira with Azure DevOps in your team? What worked well, and what challenges did you run into?
End-to-End Confidence in the Cloud A Walkthrough of Azure Playwright Testing (Preview)
If you’ve been using Playwright for your end-to-end testing, you know how powerful it is for browser automation. But running large test suites locally or in CI can be slow, flaky, and resource-hungry. That’s where Azure Playwright Testing (Preview) — also called Microsoft Playwright Testing — comes in. This walkthrough will show you how to go from a plain Playwright project to running tests at scale in the Azure cloud, complete with reporting, debugging, and parallel execution. https://dellenny.com/end-to-end-confidence-in-the-cloud-a-walkthrough-of-azure-playwright-testing-preview/
How to update the proxyAddresses of a Cloud-only Entra ID user
I currently have a client with an Entra ID user (not migrated from on-premises) that is cloud-based, but has proxyAddresses values assigned. Now, I want to update the proxyAddresses through the Graph Explorer and have used this link as a guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2280046/entra-connect-sync-blocking-user-creation-due-to-h. Now this guide is suggesting you can use the BETA model and this URL format... https://graph.microsoft.com/beta/users/%USERGUID% It states you can use that URL to do both 'GET' and 'PATCH' queries - the PATCH query being the one that will change the settings. You have to put forth a body for the proxyAddresses property in the PATCH query, which represents all of the addresses you want the user to utilise as proxy addresses. Now the GET query works... The PATCH query does not... Screenshot provided: Now, regarding the error message, I have applied ALL possible permissions in the 'Modify Permissions' tab. It is still erroring, Now I cannot use Exchange Online PowerShell, as the user does not have a mailbox! Aside from potentially using a license for Exchange Online or provisioning a mailbox for the user, and making the necessary changes, would the only other option be to delete/recreate the user?
