Announcing the preview of Azure Local rack aware cluster
As of 1/22/2026, Azure Local rack aware cluster is now generally available! To learn more: Overview of Azure Local rack aware clustering - Azure Local | Microsoft Learn We are excited to announce the public preview of Azure Local rack aware cluster! We previously published a blog post with a sneak peek of Azure Local rack aware cluster and now, we're excited to share more details about its architecture, features, and benefits. Overview of Azure Local rack aware cluster Azure Local rack aware cluster is an advanced architecture designed to enhance fault tolerance and data distribution within an Azure Local instance. This solution enables you to cluster machines that are strategically placed across two physical racks in different rooms or buildings, connected by high bandwidth and low latency within the same location. Each rack functions as a local availability zone, spanning layers from the operating system to Azure Local management, including Azure Local VMs. The architecture leverages top-of-rack (ToR) switches to connect machines between rooms. This direct connection supports a single storage pool, with rack aware clusters distributing data copies evenly between the two racks. Even if an entire rack encounters an issue, the other rack maintains the integrity and accessibility of the data. This design is valuable for environments needing high availability, particularly where it is essential to avoid rack-level data loss or downtime from failures like fires or power outages. Key features Starting in Azure Local version 2510, this release includes the following key features for rack aware clusters: Rack-Level Fault Tolerance & High Availability Clusters span two physical racks in separate rooms, connected by high bandwidth and low latency. Each rack acts as a local availability zone. If one rack fails, the other maintains data integrity and accessibility. Support for Multiple Configurations Architecture supports 2 machines up to 8 machines, enabling scalable deployments for a wide range of workloads. Scale-Out by Adding Machines Easily expand cluster capacity by adding machines, supporting growth and dynamic workload requirements without redeployment. Unified Storage Pool with Even Data Distribution Rack aware clusters offer a unified storage pool with Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) volume replication, automatically distributing data copies evenly across both racks. This ensures smooth failover and reduces the risk of data loss. Azure Arc Integration and Management Experience Enjoy native integration with Azure Arc, enabling consistent management and monitoring across hybrid environments—including Azure Local VMs and AKS—while maintaining the familiar Azure deployment and operational experience. Deployment Options Deploy via Azure portal or ARM templates, with new inputs and properties in the Azure portal for rack aware clusters. Provision VMs in Local Availability Zones via the Azure Portal Provision Azure Local virtual machines directly into specific local availability zones using the Azure portal, allowing for granular workload placement and enhanced resilience. Upgrade Path from Preview to GA Deploy rack aware clusters with the 2510 public preview build and update to General Availability (GA) without redeployment—protecting your investment and ensuring operational continuity. Get started The preview of rack aware cluster is now available to all interested customers. We encourage you to try it out and share your valuable feedback. To get started, visit our documentation: Overview of Azure Local rack aware clustering (Preview) - Azure Local | Microsoft Learn Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards general availability in 2026. We look forward to seeing how you leverage Azure Local rack aware cluster to power your edge workloads!
User Accounts Not Populating with Filters in Directory with PnP V4
I'm working on building a staff directory for my org. I'm leveraging the PnP Modern Search Web Parts for this directory. I am having issues with 5 user accounts not populating in the Search Results Web Part with the department or office filters applied to the SearchTerms box. I have RefinableString03 set to People:Department and People:SPS-DEPARTMENT. RefinableString09 is set to People:OFFICE and People:SPS-Location. If I set the SearchTerms box to *, the 5 missing user accounts populate along with other accounts that needed filtered out. The location/office and department attributes are set for each of these accounts. They show in the hovercard for each account. It seems that the department and office/location attributes are not being picked up by the SearchTerm filter when the RefinableString03 and or RefinableString09 are applied to the Search Results Web Part. User account attributes are synced from our on-prem AD environment. What piece am I missing here?
Teams calendar for exchange on prem users not working
Hello I am having issues to make Exchange On prem users use Calendar on teams. Initially Client autodiscover was blocked externally but they added a cname and open flows but I am still having issues to makecalendar on teams work HCW as passed and new hybrid dedicated app was used any help is welcomeFeedback to users who report phishing
Hi, is it possible to create a power automate flow to find submissions from users and as soon as MS has added a verdict to a submission as real phish send a notification back to the user who has reported it? Trying to figure out what is needed for such integration and build a flow but I am stuck. Anyone who has built that and like to share learning?
Keep user account but provision new empty mailbox
i did ask in another forum but thought i would ask here as it seems impossible... we are hybrid exchange. We have litigation hold and purview retention policies in place. We have a scenario where an existing user is moving to a new role and her existing mailbox needs to be dissociated from her AD account and a new clean mailbox provisioned. The original mailbox needs to stay as inactive and searchable via ediscovery. Is it possible? I have asked AI and its said: Make sure all the holds and retention policies are in place Move the AD account to a non-syncing OU and run a delta sync The mailbox should show as inactive in exchange online Then it tells me to run Set-User <UserUPN> -PermanentlyClearPreviousMailboxInfo but ONLY if the recipient type shows as MailUser or User This is where i am stuck as it is still UserMailbox. It told me to restore the cloud only object which i did. But it still shows as RecipientType = UserMailbox when i check. Its now just a cloud only account, it has no license. The mailbox is inactive but its still a UserMailbox Is what i am trying to do possible? Would now just changing the cloud only account to have a new email address be the only way to retain it and then sync back the on-prem account?Azure Arc Server Jan 2026 Forum Recap
During the January 2026 Azure Arc Server Forum, the Azure Arc product group showcased: Essential Machine Management capabilities in Azure Compute Hub Windows Server Hot Patch: Roadmap and Update on billing commencement Preview of new TPM based Onboarding to Azure Arc Recap of SQL Server Major Announcements from 2025 What can you do to stay in touch? Connect with the Azure Arc product group provide feedback on the expired and stale Arc Server Experience Stay on the latest Azure Arc agent version to get the latest security and quality fixes Register for SQL Con 2026 at sqlcon.us for insight into the future of SQL Check out the YouTube recording for the session at Arc Server Forum January 2026. To sign up for the Azure Arc Server Forum and newsletter, please register with contact details at https://aka.ms/arcserverforumsignup/. Our next session will be on Thursday, February 19 at 9:30 AM PST. We look forward to you joining us, thank you!
Microsoft Places desk declined despite check-in
Each We've just started using Places in our office and a few users have reported recieving a desk decline email due to no check-in on the desk, despite them using the check-in button on the Places app to check-in on arrival to the office. Has anyone seen this previously? Each desk has two monitors, which I have associated with the desks in the Teams Pro Management portal to enable detection and check-in. Reservation settings for all desks are as below.Announcing the General Availability of the Azure Arc Gateway for Arc-enabled Servers!
We’re excited to announce the General Availability of Arc gateway for Arc‑enabled servers. Arc gateway dramatically simplifies the network configuration required to use Azure Arc by consolidating outbound connectivity through a small, predictable set of endpoints. For customers operating behind enterprise proxies or firewalls, this means faster onboarding, fewer change requests, and a smoother path to value with Azure Arc. What’s new: To Arc‑enable a server, customers previously had to allow 19 distinct endpoints. With Arc gateway GA, you can do the same with just 7, a ~63% reduction that removes friction for security and networking teams. Why This Matters Organizations with strict outbound controls often spend days, or weeks, coordinating approvals for multiple URLs before they can onboard resources to Azure Arc. By consolidating traffic to a smaller set of destinations, Arc gateway: Accelerates onboarding for Arc‑enabled servers by cutting down the proxy/firewall approvals needed to get started. Simplifies operations with a consistent, repeatable pattern for routing Arc agent and extension traffic to Azure. How Arc gateway works Arc gateway introduces two components that work together to streamline connectivity: Arc gateway (Azure resource): A single, unique endpoint in your Azure tenant that receives incoming traffic from on‑premises Arc workloads and forwards it to the right Azure services. You configure your enterprise environment to allow this endpoint. Azure Arc Proxy (on every Arc‑enabled server): A component of the connected machine agent that routes agent and extension traffic to Azure via the Arc gateway endpoint. It’s part of the core Arc agent; no separate install is required. At a high level, traffic flows: Arc agent → Arc Proxy → Enterprise Proxy → Arc gateway → Target Azure service. Scenario Coverage As part of this GA release, common Arc‑enabled Server scenarios are supported through the gateway, including: Windows Admin Center SSH Extended Security Updates (ESU) Azure Extension for SQL Server For other scenarios, some customer‑specific data plane destinations (e.g., your Log Analytics workspace or Key Vault URLs) may still need to be allow‑listed per your environment. Please consult the Arc gateway documentation for the current scenario‑by‑scenario coverage and any remaining per‑service URLs. Over time, the number of scenarios filly covered by Arc gateway will continue to grow. Get started Create an Arc gateway resource using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or PowerShell. Allow the Arc gateway endpoint (and the small set of core endpoints) in your enterprise proxy/firewall. Onboard or update servers to use your Arc gateway resource and start managing them with Azure Arc. For step‑by‑step guidance, see the Arc gateway documentation on Microsoft Learn. You can also watch a quick Arc gateway Jumpstart demo to see the experience end‑to‑end. FAQs Does Arc gateway require new software on my servers? No additional installation - Arc Proxy is part of the standard connected machine agent for Arc‑enabled servers. Will every Arc scenario route through the gateway today? Many high‑value server scenarios are covered at GA; some customer‑specific data plane endpoints (for example, Log Analytics workspace FQDNs) may still need to be allowed. Check the docs for the latest coverage details. When will Arc gateway for Azure Local be GA? Today! Please refer to the Arc gateway GA on Azure Local Announcement to learn more. When will Arc gateway for Arc-enabled Kubernetes be GA? We don't have an exact ETA to share quite yet for Arc gateway GA for Arc-enabled Kubernetes. The feature is currently still in Public Preview. Please refer to the Public Preview documentation for more information. Tell us what you think We’d love your feedback on Arc gateway GA for servers—what worked well, what could be improved, and which scenarios you want next. Use the Arc gateway feedback form to share your input with the product team.
