Azure Stack HCI

Azure Stack HCI
Screenshot
Initial releaseAzure Stack HCI, version 20H2
(10 December 2020)
Latest releaseAzure Stack HCI, version 23H2
(1 February 2024)
Supported platformsAMD64

Azure Stack HCI is a series of Windows Server-based operating systems that consist of a specialized version of the Windows Server Core operating system that deploys and runs Windows and Linux virtual machines in the datacenter or edge devices using existing tools, processes and skill sets. It is primarily intended for hyper-converged infrastructure integration with the Microsoft Azure cloud service.[1] The series was first introduced in December 2020 after being announced on 21 July 2020.[1]

It is the spiritual successor of the free Hyper-V Server operating system, previously available in Windows versions prior to Windows Server 2022.

Servicing model[edit | edit source]

Azure Stack HCI uses an update scheme that is fundamentally similar to the Windows as a service model, where Microsoft would release feature updates to the operating system after a yearly development cycle. Updates are delivered to the operating system on a monthly cadence.[2]

List of feature updates[edit | edit source]

Name Version Based on Release date Notes
Azure Stack HCI, version 20H2 20H2 Windows Server 2019 2020-12-10 Initial release
Azure Stack HCI, version 21H2 21H2 Windows Server 2022 2021-10-12 Upgrade based on Iron codebase
Azure Stack HCI, version 22H2 22H2 2022-10-12 Cumulative update
Azure Stack HCI, version 23H2 23H2 Windows Server, version 23H2 2024-02-01 Upgrade based on Zinc codebase
Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Alqinawi, Tanur. Deliver hybrid cloud capabilities with the next generation of Azure Stack HCI, Microsoft Azure Blog. 21 July 2020.
  2. Microsoft. Updates and upgrades - Azure Stack HCI. 21 July 2020.