Azure Arc Introduction
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Why Arc Matters for Sovereign Cloud Strategies
- Arc as the Bridge Between On-Premises and Azure
- Multi-Cloud Governance Capabilities
- Relationship to Azure Local and Digital Sovereignty
- Common Misconceptions About Arc
- Three Pillars of Azure Arc
- Core Arc Services
- Comparison Table: Three Arc Services
- Core Benefits
- Arc and Sovereignty
- Customer Scenarios
- Sales Talking Points
- Discovery Questions for Customers
- Decision Framework
- Next Steps
- Additional Resources
Overview
Azure Arc is Microsoft’s hybrid and multi-cloud management platform that extends Azure management and services to any infrastructure - on-premises, multiple clouds, and the edge. Arc enables organizations to manage diverse environments with a consistent set of tools, governance policies, and security controls.
What is Azure Arc?
Azure Arc provides:
Unified Management:
- Single control plane for hybrid and multi-cloud resources
- Consistent management across Windows, Linux, SQL Server, Kubernetes
- Azure portal as central management interface
Cloud-Native Services Anywhere:
- Deploy Azure services on any infrastructure
- Run Azure data services on-premises
- Consistent application deployment patterns
Centralized Governance:
- Apply Azure Policy to any resource, anywhere
- Enforce security and compliance at scale
- Audit and report across entire estate
Flexible Deployment:
- Support for any infrastructure (physical, virtual, cloud)
- Works with existing tools and processes
- No vendor lock-in
Why Arc Matters for Sovereign Cloud Strategies
Azure Arc plays a critical role in sovereignty by enabling organizations to:
Maintain Data Residency:
- Keep data and processing on-premises
- Apply Azure governance without moving data
- Meet strict data localization requirements
Ensure Operational Sovereignty:
- Control where workloads run
- Manage resources locally when needed
- Maintain operational independence
Apply Consistent Governance:
- Enforce policies across all environments
- Centralized security posture management
- Unified compliance reporting
Enable Hybrid Innovation:
- Modern cloud services on existing infrastructure
- Gradual cloud adoption at your pace
- Preserve investments while modernizing
Connection to Sovereignty Concepts:
- Review Digital Sovereignty →
- Review Operational Sovereignty →
- Review Azure Local (Sovereign Private Cloud) →
Arc as the Bridge Between On-Premises and Azure
Azure Arc creates a hybrid bridge that connects:
On-Premises Infrastructure:
- Physical servers and virtual machines
- Kubernetes clusters (any CNCF-certified distribution)
- SQL Server and PostgreSQL databases
- VMware vSphere and Azure Local environments
→ Azure Management Plane:
- Azure portal and ARM (Azure Resource Manager)
- Azure Policy and RBAC
- Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
- Azure Security Center
- Azure Update Management
Benefits of the Bridge:
- Unified visibility: See all resources in one place
- Consistent tooling: Same tools for cloud and on-premises
- Centralized governance: Policies apply everywhere
- Simplified operations: Reduce tool sprawl
- Hybrid workflows: Seamless integration across environments
Multi-Cloud Governance Capabilities
Azure Arc isn’t limited to Microsoft environments - it supports multi-cloud scenarios:
Supported Environments:
- On-Premises: Physical servers, VMware, Hyper-V, Azure Local
- Microsoft Azure: Native Azure resources
- AWS: EC2 instances, EKS clusters
- Google Cloud: GCE instances, GKE clusters
- Other Clouds: Any cloud provider supporting agents
Multi-Cloud Benefits:
- Unified governance: Same policies across all clouds
- Simplified management: Single pane of glass
- Cost optimization: Better visibility into multi-cloud spend
- Security posture: Consistent security controls
- Avoid lock-in: Maintain flexibility
Use Cases:
- Acquired company using different cloud
- Best-of-breed services from multiple clouds
- Geographic requirements (specific clouds in certain regions)
- Hedge against single-provider risk
Relationship to Azure Local and Digital Sovereignty
Azure Arc and Azure Local work together to provide comprehensive sovereignty:
Azure Local (Physical Infrastructure):
- Provides the hardware and local compute
- Runs VMs, containers, storage locally
- Operates Connected or Disconnected
Azure Arc (Management Layer):
- Provides unified management (in Connected Mode)
- Enables Azure services on Azure Local
- Applies governance and policies
- Delivers observability and monitoring
Together They Provide:
graph TB
subgraph Cloud[Azure Cloud]
Portal[Azure Portal]
ARM[Azure Resource Manager]
Policy[Azure Policy]
Monitor[Azure Monitor]
end
subgraph Arc[Azure Arc Layer]
ArcAgent[Arc Agents]
Metadata[Metadata Sync]
Governance[Governance Engine]
end
subgraph OnPrem[On-Premises/Edge]
AzLocal[Azure Local Cluster]
Storage[Storage Spaces Direct]
Workloads[VMs & Containers]
Data[Customer Data - Local]
end
Portal --> ARM
ARM --> Arc
Policy --> Arc
Monitor --> Arc
Arc -.->|Connected Mode<br/>Metadata Only| OnPrem
AzLocal --> Storage
AzLocal --> Workloads
Workloads --> Data
style Cloud fill:#E8F4FD,stroke:#0078D4,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
style Arc fill:#FFF4E6,stroke:#FF8C00,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
style OnPrem fill:#D4E9D7,stroke:#107C10,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
style Data fill:#FFE6E6,stroke:#D13438,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
Sovereignty Advantages:
- Data remains on-premises (Azure Local)
- Centralized management from Azure (Arc)
- Consistent governance across locations
- Operational flexibility (Connected/Disconnected)
Common Misconceptions About Arc
Misconception 1: “Arc Moves Data to Azure”
Reality: Arc synchronizes metadata and telemetry, not workload data. Your application data, databases, and files stay on-premises. Only configuration, logs, and metrics are sent to Azure for management purposes.
Misconception 2: “Arc Requires Continuous Internet Connectivity”
Reality: While Arc works best with regular connectivity, it’s resilient to temporary outages. Resources continue operating locally. Some features (like policy enforcement) work intermittently.
Misconception 3: “Arc Only Works with Microsoft Products”
Reality: Arc supports many non-Microsoft technologies: Linux servers, any CNCF-certified Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, and more. It’s designed for heterogeneous environments.
Misconception 4: “Arc Is Just Another Management Tool”
Reality: Arc is a management plane (layer), not a tool. It brings Azure Resource Manager capabilities to any infrastructure, enabling consistent tooling, governance, and services.
Misconception 5: “Arc Replaces My Existing Tools”
Reality: Arc complements existing tools. You can continue using VMware vCenter, Kubernetes tooling, etc. Arc provides an additional layer for Azure-based governance and services.
Three Pillars of Azure Arc
graph TB
Arc[Azure Arc Platform]
Arc --> Servers[Arc-Enabled Servers]
Arc --> K8s[Arc-Enabled Kubernetes]
Arc --> Data[Arc-Enabled Data Services]
Servers --> S1[Windows & Linux Servers]
Servers --> S2[Policy & Governance]
Servers --> S3[Azure Monitor]
Servers --> S4[Update Management]
K8s --> K1[Any CNCF K8s Cluster]
K8s --> K2[GitOps Configuration]
K8s --> K3[Multi-Cluster Management]
K8s --> K4[Azure Services on K8s]
Data --> D1[SQL Managed Instance]
Data --> D2[PostgreSQL Hyperscale]
Data --> D3[Managed DB Experience]
Data --> D4[Cloud Billing Model]
style Arc fill:#0078D4,stroke:#004578,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff
style Servers fill:#E8F4FD,stroke:#0078D4,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
style K8s fill:#E8F4FD,stroke:#0078D4,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
style Data fill:#E8F4FD,stroke:#0078D4,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
Arc-Enabled Resources Comparison
Multi-Site Deployment Topology
Core Arc Services
Azure Arc consists of three main service categories:
1. Azure Arc-Enabled Servers
Purpose: Extend Azure management to Windows and Linux servers anywhere.
Key Capabilities:
- Inventory and organize servers
- Apply Azure Policy for compliance
- Monitor with Azure Monitor
- Update management at scale
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud integration
- Run automation runbooks
Supported Platforms:
- Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer
- Various Linux distributions (Ubuntu, RHEL, SUSE, etc.)
- Physical or virtual machines
- Any cloud provider
Benefits:
- Unified server management
- Consistent security posture
- Centralized compliance reporting
- Reduced operational complexity
2. Azure Arc-Enabled Kubernetes
Purpose: Bring Kubernetes clusters under Azure management.
Key Capabilities:
- Manage any CNCF-certified Kubernetes cluster
- GitOps-based configuration management
- Deploy Azure services to clusters
- Apply Azure Policy for Kubernetes
- Monitor clusters with Azure Monitor
- Integrate with Azure security services
Supported Platforms:
- AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service) on Azure Local
- Amazon EKS
- Google GKE
- Red Hat OpenShift
- Rancher, VMware Tanzu
- Upstream Kubernetes
Benefits:
- Consistent application deployment
- Multi-cluster management
- Cloud-native GitOps workflows
- Unified security and compliance
3. Azure Arc-Enabled Data Services
Purpose: Deploy Azure data services on any infrastructure.
Key Capabilities:
- SQL Managed Instance on-premises
- PostgreSQL Hyperscale on-premises
- Managed database experience anywhere
- Elastic scale and high availability
- Cloud-billing model for on-premises
- Azure-consistent management
Supported Services:
- Azure SQL Managed Instance: Full SQL Server compatibility
- PostgreSQL Hyperscale: Scalable PostgreSQL with Citus extension
Benefits:
- Evergreen database platform
- Pay-as-you-go pricing for on-premises
- Reduced database administration overhead
- Data stays on-premises (sovereignty)
Comparison Table: Three Arc Services
| Feature | Arc Servers | Arc Kubernetes | Arc Data Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Windows/Linux servers | Kubernetes clusters | SQL/PostgreSQL databases |
| Primary Use | Server management | Container orchestration | Managed databases |
| Onboarding | Install agent | Connect cluster | Deploy data controller |
| Management | Azure portal, CLI | Azure portal, GitOps | Azure Data Studio |
| Governance | Azure Policy | Azure Policy for K8s | Azure RBAC |
| Monitoring | Azure Monitor | Container Insights | Azure Monitor |
| Licensing | Included with server OS | Included | Pay-as-you-go |
| Data Location | Local (no data sync) | Local | Local |
| Best For | Traditional VMs/servers | Modern cloud-native apps | Database workloads |
Core Benefits
1. Consistent Governance Across Hybrid Environments
Challenge: Different environments have different management tools, leading to inconsistent policies and security gaps.
Arc Solution:
- Apply Azure Policy to any resource, anywhere
- Centralized policy assignment and compliance reporting
- Drift detection and remediation
- Audit trail for all changes
Example: Apply a policy requiring disk encryption across all servers - Azure VMs, on-premises servers, and AWS EC2 instances - all managed the same way.
2. Unified Security and Compliance Management
Challenge: Fragmented security tools create blind spots and increase management overhead.
Arc Solution:
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud across all environments
- Unified security posture assessment
- Threat detection and response
- Compliance dashboards (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, etc.)
Example: Security team can see the security posture of all servers (regardless of location) in a single dashboard, with consistent recommendations.
3. Support for Sovereignty and Data Residency
Challenge: Meet data residency requirements while still leveraging cloud management.
Arc Solution:
- Workloads and data stay on-premises
- Only metadata synchronized to Azure
- Local data processing
- Compliance with data localization laws
Example: EU-based company keeps all customer data on-premises (GDPR compliance) while using Azure Arc for centralized governance.
4. No Vendor Lock-In to Specific Infrastructure
Challenge: Avoid being locked into a single cloud provider or infrastructure platform.
Arc Solution:
- Works with any infrastructure
- Supports multi-cloud scenarios
- Preserves existing investments
- Freedom to choose best platform per workload
Example: Company uses AWS for web apps, Azure for analytics, and on-premises for databases - all managed through Azure Arc.
5. Cost Efficiency Through Better Resource Utilization
Challenge: Overprovisioning in cloud or underutilization on-premises leads to waste.
Arc Solution:
- Visibility into resource usage across all environments
- Right-size workloads based on actual usage
- Optimize placement (cloud vs. on-premises)
- Reduce tool sprawl (fewer management products to license)
Example: Identify underutilized servers across multiple locations and consolidate workloads, reducing hardware footprint by 30%.
6. Simplified Operational Management
Challenge: Managing multiple toolsets is complex, error-prone, and requires diverse skillsets.
Arc Solution:
- Single toolset for all environments
- Consistent automation and scripting
- Unified monitoring and alerting
- Reduced training requirements
Example: Operations team learns Azure tools once, applies them everywhere - reducing time to train new staff by 50%.
Arc and Sovereignty
How Arc Helps Achieve Data Sovereignty
Data Residency:
- Workloads run on-premises or in specified regions
- Data never leaves designated boundaries
- Local processing for sensitive information
- Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
Metadata vs. Data:
- Data (stays local): Application data, databases, files, customer information
- Metadata (sent to Azure): Resource configuration, metrics, logs, inventory
Sovereignty Benefits:
- Meet regulatory requirements for data location
- Maintain control over sensitive data
- Enable modern cloud management without cloud data storage
- Audit and prove compliance
Compliance Capabilities
Azure Policy Initiatives:
- PCI-DSS compliance bundle
- HIPAA/HITRUST compliance
- ISO 27001 controls
- NIST SP 800-53
- Custom policies for organization-specific requirements
Continuous Compliance Monitoring:
- Real-time compliance state
- Drift detection
- Remediation recommendations
- Automated remediation (optional)
Audit and Governance:
- All configuration changes logged
- Who made what change, when
- Compliance reports for auditors
- Integration with Azure Sentinel for SIEM
Audit and Governance for Regulated Industries
Healthcare (HIPAA):
- Enforce encryption at rest
- Audit access to patient data systems
- Ensure only approved software runs
- Track all administrative changes
Finance (PCI-DSS, SOX):
- Enforce network segmentation
- Audit privileged access
- Ensure update compliance
- Tamper-proof audit logs
Government (FedRAMP, ITAR):
- Enforce security baselines (STIG, CIS)
- Control data export
- Audit all access
- Ensure only approved personnel can access
Connection to Operational Sovereignty Concepts
Operational Control:
- Resources run locally (not dependent on cloud)
- Local admin access remains
- Failover doesn’t depend on Azure connectivity
- Operations continue during internet outages
Balanced Approach:
- Operational control on-premises
- Strategic governance from Azure
- Best of both worlds
Review Operational Sovereignty Concepts →
Customer Scenarios
Scenario 1: Manufacturing Multi-Site Network (Arc Servers)
Industry: Manufacturing
Company: Global automotive parts manufacturer
Locations: 25 factories worldwide
Challenge:
- Inconsistent server management across facilities
- Different tools and processes per region
- Difficult to enforce security policies
- No centralized visibility
- Compliance audits are time-consuming
Solution: Azure Arc-Enabled Servers
Implementation:
- Install Azure Arc agents on 2,500+ servers across all factories
- Apply Azure Policy for security baseline
- Use Azure Monitor for centralized observability
- Deploy Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Implement Azure Update Management
Technical Details:
- Mix of Windows Server and Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL)
- On-premises Active Directory integration
- Hybrid connectivity via ExpressRoute
- Automated agent deployment via Group Policy
- Monthly compliance reporting
Results:
- ✅ 100% visibility across all factories
- ✅ Consistent security policies applied globally
- ✅ 60% reduction in time to apply patches
- ✅ Passed all compliance audits
- ✅ Detected and remediated 15 security misconfigurations
- ✅ $500K annual savings from reduced tool licenses
Discovery Questions for Similar Scenarios:
- How many locations do you manage?
- What’s your current server management approach?
- How do you ensure consistent security?
- What compliance frameworks apply?
- How long does a typical audit take?
Scenario 2: Hybrid Kubernetes Deployment (Arc Kubernetes)
Industry: Retail
Company: E-commerce platform
Scale: 200+ microservices
Challenge:
- Applications running on Azure AKS and on-premises Kubernetes
- Need consistent deployment process
- Want GitOps workflow
- Different tools for Azure vs. on-premises
- Difficulty maintaining policy consistency
Solution: Azure Arc-Enabled Kubernetes
Implementation:
- Connect on-premises Kubernetes clusters (3 clusters, 100+ nodes) to Azure Arc
- Implement GitOps with Flux v2
- Deploy applications using Azure Arc-enabled App Services
- Apply Azure Policy for Kubernetes
- Centralized monitoring with Container Insights
Technical Details:
- On-premises: Rancher-managed Kubernetes clusters
- Azure: AKS clusters in 2 regions
- GitOps repository: Azure Repos
- Continuous deployment using Flux
- Policy enforcement for pod security
Results:
- ✅ Unified deployment process across all clusters
- ✅ Consistent application configuration
- ✅ 80% faster deployments with GitOps
- ✅ Real-time visibility into all workloads
- ✅ Automated policy enforcement
- ✅ Reduced deployment errors by 70%
Discovery Questions for Similar Scenarios:
- Are you running Kubernetes on-premises?
- What Kubernetes distribution do you use?
- How do you manage multi-cluster deployments today?
- Do you use GitOps?
- What compliance requirements apply to your containers?
Scenario 3: Database Migration with Sovereignty (Arc Data Services)
Industry: Financial Services
Company: Regional bank
Database Count: 150+ SQL Server databases
Challenge:
- SQL Server 2012/2014 reaching end of support
- Data must remain on-premises (regulatory requirement)
- Want managed database experience
- Need high availability without complexity
- Want modern backup and DR
Solution: Azure Arc-Enabled SQL Managed Instance
Implementation:
- Deploy Azure Arc data controller on-premises
- Migrate databases to Arc-enabled SQL Managed Instance
- Configure high availability (3-replica AG)
- Set up Azure Backup integration
- Apply Azure RBAC for access control
Technical Details:
- Deployed on Azure Local cluster (8 nodes)
- SQL MI instances with 3-replica HA
- Automatic backups to Azure storage
- Point-in-time restore capability
- Pay-as-you-go licensing model
Results:
- ✅ Data stays on-premises (meets regulations)
- ✅ Managed database experience (reduced admin overhead by 50%)
- ✅ 99.95% availability with built-in HA
- ✅ Modern backup/restore capabilities
- ✅ Reduced licensing costs with pay-as-you-go
- ✅ Evergreen SQL (always up to date)
Discovery Questions for Similar Scenarios:
- What database versions are you running?
- Do you have data residency requirements?
- How much database administration effort do you spend?
- What’s your HA/DR strategy today?
- Are you interested in modern licensing models?
Scenario 4: Financial Institution Multi-Cloud Governance (Arc Servers + Policies)
Industry: Financial Services
Company: International investment bank
Environment: Azure, AWS, on-premises
Challenge:
- Acquired companies using different cloud providers
- Inconsistent security controls
- Difficult to audit compliance
- SOX and PCI-DSS requirements
- Need unified governance
Solution: Azure Arc for Multi-Cloud Governance
Implementation:
- Onboard 1,000+ servers (Azure, AWS, on-premises) to Azure Arc
- Apply Azure Policy initiatives (PCI-DSS, SOX controls)
- Deploy Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Implement centralized logging with Log Analytics
- Set up automated compliance reporting
Technical Details:
- Azure: 300 VMs
- AWS: 400 EC2 instances (via Arc agent)
- On-premises: 300 physical/virtual servers
- Policies: 150+ rules applied consistently
- Monthly compliance reports for auditors
Results:
- ✅ Unified view of 1,000+ servers across 3 environments
- ✅ Consistent security policies everywhere
- ✅ 95% compliance score (up from 60%)
- ✅ Automated compliance reporting
- ✅ Passed SOX and PCI-DSS audits with no findings
- ✅ $800K annual savings (reduced compliance overhead)
Discovery Questions for Similar Scenarios:
- Do you use multiple cloud providers?
- How do you govern multi-cloud today?
- What compliance frameworks apply?
- How long do your audits take?
- What’s your security management overhead?
Sales Talking Points
Universal Talking Points
1. Extend Azure Benefits Beyond Azure Cloud
- Don’t choose between cloud and on-premises
- Get Azure management for any infrastructure
- Preserve existing investments while modernizing
- No need to migrate everything to public cloud
2. Single Pane of Glass for All Infrastructure
- See all resources in Azure portal
- Unified management across clouds and on-premises
- Consistent tooling and automation
- Reduce tool sprawl and complexity
3. Sovereignty-Compliant Hybrid Management
- Keep data on-premises for compliance
- Apply cloud-based governance
- Meet GDPR, HIPAA, FedRAMP requirements
- Audit trail for all changes
4. No Need to Choose Between Cloud and On-Premises
- Hybrid-first approach
- Right workload, right place
- Flexibility to move workloads as needs change
- Avoid vendor lock-in
5. Reduce Operational Complexity
- One toolset for all environments
- Consistent automation and scripting
- Simplified training (learn Azure tools once)
- Reduced licensing costs (fewer tools)
6. Apply Azure Governance Rules Everywhere
- Same policies for Azure, AWS, on-premises
- Centralized compliance reporting
- Drift detection and remediation
- Automated policy enforcement
7. Future-Proof Your Infrastructure
- No lock-in to specific cloud or platform
- Support for emerging technologies
- Investment in Arc pays off long-term
- Microsoft’s commitment to hybrid
Competitive Differentiation
vs. AWS Outposts / AWS Systems Manager:
- Arc supports AWS resources (and others)
- No requirement to use AWS services
- More flexible licensing
- Better multi-cloud story
vs. Google Anthos:
- Arc supports more than just Kubernetes
- Includes servers and data services
- Broader ecosystem of ISV integrations
- More mature governance (Azure Policy)
vs. VMware vRealize / vCenter:
- Arc complements (doesn’t replace) VMware tools
- Adds cloud-based governance layer
- Extends beyond VMware to other platforms
- Future-ready for cloud-native
vs. DIY Management:
- Consistent tooling reduces complexity
- Microsoft-supported solution
- Regular updates and new capabilities
- Lower TCO than building custom tools
Discovery Questions for Customers
Infrastructure and Workloads
1. Where do your workloads currently run?
- Understanding current footprint
- Identifies Arc opportunities
2. Do you have on-premises infrastructure you want to keep?
- Preserves investments
- Arc enables hybrid scenarios
3. Are you using multiple cloud providers?
- Multi-cloud governance opportunity
- Unified management value prop
4. What’s your cloud migration strategy?
- Identify hybrid period duration
- Arc as bridge during migration
Governance and Compliance
5. What governance challenges are you facing?
- Uncover pain points
- Arc solves governance at scale
6. What compliance frameworks apply to your organization?
- GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.
- Arc built-in compliance support
7. How do you enforce policies across environments today?
- Identify tool sprawl
- Show unified policy value
8. How long do compliance audits typically take?
- Quantify compliance overhead
- Arc reduces audit time
Operations and Management
9. How many environments do you currently manage?
- Scale of management challenge
- Arc value increases with scale
10. What tools do you use for server/Kubernetes management? - Understand tool landscape - Show Arc integration value
11. What’s your path to cloud? - Understand adoption journey - Position Arc as enabler
12. Do you use Kubernetes? If so, which distribution? - Kubernetes opportunity - Arc K8s compatibility
Decision Framework
When Arc is the Right Choice
✅ Strong Yes Indicators:
- Managing resources across multiple locations/clouds
- Need for consistent governance and policies
- Compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
- Want to modernize without full cloud migration
- Multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategy
- Regulatory data residency requirements
- Existing on-premises investments to preserve
⚠️ Consider Carefully:
- Organization readiness for Azure tooling
- Network connectivity to Azure (for management)
- Licensing costs vs. benefits
- Integration with existing tools and processes
❌ Not the Best Fit:
- All workloads already in single cloud
- No governance or compliance requirements
- Very small scale (< 10 servers)
- No need for centralized management
- Organizations without Azure expertise
Arc vs. Standalone On-Premises Management
| Criteria | Azure Arc | Standalone Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Unified Management | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Multi-Cloud Support | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited |
| Compliance Reporting | ✅ Automated | 🟡 Manual |
| Learning Curve | 🟡 Medium (Azure skills) | 🟢 Low (existing tools) |
| Cost | 🟡 Azure services fees | 🟢 Lower |
| Future-Ready | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies |
| Vendor Lock-In | 🟢 Low | 🟡 Varies |
Arc as Complement to Azure Local
Perfect Together:
- Azure Local provides infrastructure
- Arc provides management and governance
- Enhanced capabilities when combined:
- Unified visibility
- Consistent policies
- Modern services (Data Services, App Services)
- Simplified operations
When to Use Both:
- Sovereignty requirements + desire for Azure management
- Multiple Azure Local clusters
- Hybrid scenarios (Azure + Azure Local)
- Want modern database services on-premises
Next Steps
Ready to explore Azure Arc in depth? Continue with these topics:
Arc-Enabled Servers Deep Dive →
Learn how to manage Windows and Linux servers with Azure Arc, including onboarding, policy application, and monitoring.
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Arc-Enabled Kubernetes Deep Dive →
Explore how to connect Kubernetes clusters to Azure Arc and implement GitOps-based application deployment.
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Arc Data Services Overview →
Understand how to deploy Azure SQL Managed Instance and PostgreSQL on any infrastructure with Arc Data Services.
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Azure Arc Knowledge Check Quiz →
Test your understanding with 12 questions covering all aspects of Azure Arc.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Additional Resources
Microsoft Learn
- Introduction to Azure Arc
- 30-minute module
- Covers Arc fundamentals
- Hands-on exercises
- Manage hybrid infrastructure with Azure Arc
- 4-hour learning path
- Comprehensive Arc coverage
- Practical scenarios
Documentation
- Azure Arc Overview
- Official product documentation
- Architecture details
- Getting started guides
- Azure Arc Jumpstart
- Hands-on scenarios
- Automation scripts
- Real-world examples
Community
- Azure Arc Tech Community
- Product announcements
- Best practices
- Customer stories
- Azure Arc YouTube
- Product demos
- Technical deep dives
- Customer testimonials
Last Updated: October 2025