FAQ Microsoft Azure Stack w Beyond.pl (English)

FAQ Microsoft Azure Stack at Beyond.pl

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION • What is Azure Stack?

• What are Azure Stack offers?

• What are the limitations of Azure Stack in comparison to the Azure global cloud?

• What are the advantages of Azure Stack over Azure?

• How to start with Azure Stack?

• How does Azure Stack Marketplace look like?

AZURE STACK AT BEYOND.PL • Why did Beyond.pl and Microsoft decide to deploy Azure Stack in Poland?

• What is the URL of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

• What are the costs of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

• Who charges a fee for using the service of Microsoft at Beyond.pl?

• How does Customer Support for Azure Stack at Beyond.pl looks like?

• Will such service as a complex administration of the Microsoft environment be available at Beyond.pl?

ARCHITECTURE • Based on what kind of physical infrastructure is Azure Stack built at Beyond.pl?

• Is Azure Stack available in both data centers of Beyond.pl?

• Is it possible to build environments based on both Azure Stack and Azure in a cooperation with Beyond.pl?

• How can an Azure Stack environment be configured with other Beyond.pl services?

• Will an Azure Stack environment be available during the update?

• How is the connection between Azure Stack at Beyond.pl and global Azure realized?

SECURITY • Does the Azure Stack service at Beyond.pl comply with GDPR? • Who will be responsible for the security of data stored in Azure Stack?

• What kind of SLA will be offered for Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

INTRODUCTION

Microsoft Azure

What is Azure Stack?

Azure Stack is an extension of Microsoft Azure cloud available from the local data center. It lets companies build advanced cloud applications while maintaining high elasticity, eďŹƒciency and control. Both services have compatible API and almost identical administration panel with the same naming convention and operation rules what makes the hybrid infrastructure management easier. Identity control (the same access data) is also made easier.

Azure Stack at Beyond.pl operates in a uniďŹ ed model with the same architecture style as the Azure cloud. The service has been implemented in the connected mode to ensure the maximum integrity with the Microsoft global solution.

Azure Stack at Beyond.pl

What are Azure Stack offers?

Beyond.pl as the Cloud Service Provider creates public offers (available to all clients) as well as private offers (assigned only to particular companies). The offers consist of plans and plans consist of quotas, which define the limits of resources that a user subscription can provide or consume. Quotas under the offer are defined by Beyond.pl as the Cloud Service Provider, but Microsoft also defines global limits which apply to the providers. Those limits are related to i.a. maximum capacity and maximum number of virtual machines. The infrastructure can be built within the designated parameters.

What are the limitations of Azure Stack in comparison to the Azure global cloud?

Currently not all functionalities available in Azure are also possible in Azure Stack. Nevertheless, the list is constantly growing along with subsequent Microsoft updates.

Selected Azure Stack functions: • Azure Virtual Machines, • Azure App Service, • Azure Storge, • Azure Functions, • Azure LoadBalancer, • Azure Virtual Network, • Azure VPN Gateway, • Azure MS SQL Database, • Azure SQL Database for MySQL, • Azure IoT Hub, • Azure Service Fabric, • Azure DevOps.

How to start with Azure Stack?

For beginners Microsoft offers the Azure Stack Development Kit - a trial single-server deployment option that can be downloaded and used for free by anyone, providing that equipment meets the requirements (for example 1 OS disk with a minimum of 200 GB, 96 GB RAM, Windows Server 2012).

What are the advantages of Azure Stack over Azure?

Azure Stack enables to create a consistent, hybrid cloud environment with an option to store data with the local partner. In the case of Beyond.pl all resources are located at the Data Center 2 in Poznan. Thanks to it, as an example, personal data which need to be processed on the territory of the European Union, are placed in one precise location, under the Polish address. It also enables different types of audits to be conducted. Beyond.pl can also sign an entrustment agreement of personal data with a client.

Moreover, Beyond.pl is the first-line support for clients using Azure Stack, which can communicate with Beyond.pl in Polish and English by e-mail or by phone. In this way the problem they are facing can be identified mush faster than by contacting Microsoft Customer Support.

How does Azure Stack Marketplace look like?

Marketplace is where you can download or install ready-to-use, preconfigured images, such as operational systems (Windows/Linux) and preconfigured solutions of different producers (applications, data bases, security, backup). If a certain image is accessible on the Marketplace, it depends on the producers and Cloud Service Providers, which store images in a local repository. To which extent Marketplace at Beyond.pl will be extended depends on queries of clients.

AZURE STACK AT BEYOND.PL Why did Beyond.pl and Microsoft decide to deploy Azure Stack in Poland?

Azure Stack at Beyond.pl meets the requirements of clients which were asking for the possibility of processing data with the use of global, well-known Microsoft solutions, but with resources stored locally. Beyond.pl observing global trends regarding geolocation of cloud, decided to expand its portfolio by adding PaaS solutions, which in the future will become the basic tool for cloud architects.

Experience and expertise of the team, the quality of infrastructure and security of procedures prove that data processed at the Beyond.pl data center are secured at the level globally required by Microsoft.

What are the costs of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

Polish clients will be charged only for the real use of the computing power.

Rates at Beyond.pl are similar to the ones in Western Europe Region, which is one of the cheapest regions of Microsoft Azure Cloud. Rates vary depending on the number of services used and are prepared for each client individually.

The entire environment speciďŹ ed by a client is taken into considerations during the pricing process.

What is the URL of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

Polish Azure Stack at Beyond.pl is available under

https://portal.poland.azurestack.pl

However, each client will receive an individual access link to the service.

Who charges a fee for using the service of Microsoft at Beyond.pl?

Beyond.pl is the provider of both Azure and Azure Stack, that is why Microsoft does not act as an intermediary when it comes to the ďŹ nal payment. What is important, clients which use global cloud Azure at Beyond.pl and Polish Azure Stack will be issued only one invoice with both amounts indicated separately.

How does Customer Support for Azure Stack at Beyond.pl looks like?

Service Desk available 24/7/365 along with Beyond.pl administrators is the first-line support for all clients. If a client is facing a problem related to the configuration at the Microsoft or Dell EMC level, Beyond.pl functions as a liaison between the client and providers. Eventually, final user of Beyond.pl services has an access to a wide range of experts from three companies, but stays in contact solely with one team.

Support is given in Polish and English through e-mail or phone.

Will such service as a complex administration of the Microsoft environment be available at Beyond.pl?

Beyond.pl offers full IT administration, including a hybrid environment using Azure and Azure Stack. In this way the client does not need to hire an "Azure specialist". It is a significant value added to the cooperation with Beyond.pl, because Microsoft does not offer administration of an own cloud infrastructure.

Moreover, Beyond.pl also offers management of Windows and Linux operational systems as well as data bases within client’s infrastructure.

ARCHITECTURE Based on what kind of physical infrastructure is Azure Stack built at Beyond.pl?

Dell EMC is the provider of equipment as it won the tender organized by Beyond.pl. It delivered the entire physical infrastructure (ready-to-use Scale Unit) to the Data Center 2. At this moment Microsoft allows for the exploitation of one 12 node scale unit. Configuration and network settings on the side of Beyond.pl took place with a cooperation of Dell EMC. Azure Stack at Beyond.pl is located in the only data center in Central Eastern Europe with the highest security certification Rated 4 according to ANSI/TIA-942. It demonstrates the full redundancy of infrastructure: from rack’s components, through a wiring system, to power supply and cooling of the facilities.

Is Azure Stack available in both data centers of Beyond.pl?

No, at this moment Azure Stack is only available at the Data Center 2. It is due to the technical restrictions of Microsoft. Currently, each Azure Stack location is treated separately without a possibility to interact with the other (no geo-redundant replication).

Is it possible to build environments based on both Azure Stack and Azure in a cooperation with Beyond.pl?

Yes, Beyond.pl as the Cloud Service Provider offers not only access to Azure Stack from the local data center, but also enables to extend the infrastructure with global Microsoft resources within one contract. If a client has its own infrastructure based on Azure, there is a possibility to connect the environment with the Azure Stack resources, for example with the use of a VPN.

How can an Azure Stack environment be configured with other Beyond.pl services?

Hybrid environments at Beyond.pl can be built and not just only based on Microsoft solutions (Azure and Azure Stack). Configuration with the use of cloud for business based on VMware and e24cloud (KVM) is also possible. In this case the connectivity is ensured only by the VPN. If a client needs large, dedicated resources, Beyond.pl is able to offer “Azure Stack as a Service” and ensure a private solution of 4/8/12 nodes.

Will an Azure Stack environment be available during the update?

Yes, Azure Stack functionality is preserved, because the update takes place in the background in a Rolling Update mode. Each time clients receive information from Beyond.pl on planned works. Updates are scheduled for the least loaded hours.

How is the connection between Azure Stack at Beyond.pl and global Azure realized?

There are two types of connections with Azure. The ďŹ rst one is VPN, which is the most popular solution. The second one is ExpressRoute, a dedicated connection provided by one of Internet Service Provider in agreement with Microsoft. Both possibilities are available while cooperating with Beyond.pl.

SECURITY Does the Azure Stack service at Beyond.pl comply with GDPR? Yes, one of the biggest benefits of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl is its location in a local, Polish data center in Poznan. In this way clients can rest assured that their data are processed on the territory of Poland. The joined offer of Microsoft and Beyond.pl opens doors to fully exploit the potential of cloud for business and for institutions, which have special requirements regarding how personal data are stored in Poland. It includes the financial industry, medical services, public administration entities, defense and security, energy and the oil industry.

Who will be responsible for the security of data stored in Azure Stack?

Beyond.pl is responsible for the security of data stored in Azure Stack to the extent regulated by appropriate entries in the agreement with a client.

Responsibility for securing the infrastructure shall be borne by the client in areas on which an outside provider (a data center) has no influence. Beyond.pl fulfills the highest security standards, what is confirmed by the first in Central Eastern Europe Rated 4 Certification according to ANSI/TIA-942 as well as ISO 27001 Certificate regarding the information security management system.

What kind of SLA will be offered for Azure Stack at Beyond.pl?

SLA (Service Level Agreement) is a contract outlining the level of services provided as well as the downtime. SLA of Azure Stack at Beyond.pl is at the same level as the level oered by Microsoft, that is 99.95%. In the case such level is not maintained due to the reasons on the side of provider, Beyond.pl will be held responsible. The ďŹ nancial compensation is regulated by the agreement.

BENEFITS OF AZURE STACK AT BEYOND.PL

SECURITY The highest standard of data protection confirmed by certificates.

EASE OF MANAGEMENT A compatible set of PaaS tools and a quick launch of the service. Access to public and private cloud.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT Availability around the clock of Service Desk team and help from Microsoft experts. Full IT administration of the Azure products.

LOCATION Global Microsoft Azure services available from a local data center. Storage of personal data in Poland.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY High data availability thanks to fault tolerant infrastructure. Guaranteed SLA 99,95%.

CARRIER NEUTRALITY Access to over 20 domestic and international telecom operators.

Beyond.pl was founded in 2005 and it is the first telecommunication carrier neutral data center offering IT services for the business sector in Poland.

Data Center 2 as the only data center in Central Eastern Europe received the ANSI/TIA-942 Rated-4 Certification which equates to the highest level of data security. The company’s wide range of services includes, among others: collocation, cloud computing, dedicated infrastructure and complex IT administration. Both Beyond.pl data centers are located in Poznan and their total surface equals to 12 800 m2.

Beyond.pl Sp. z o. o. ul. A. Kręglewskiego 11 61-248 Poznań sales@beyond.pl

Multicloud at Beyond.pl: Cloud for Business (VMware), • e24cloud (KVM), • Microsoft Azure Stack, • Microsoft Azure.

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