Azure updates
Learn about important Azure product updates, roadmap and announcements. Subscribe to notifications to stay informed.
October 2019
New Canada Federal PBMM Azure Blueprint is now available
Azure built-in blueprints help you be compliant in an easier way by providing Microsoft-vetted blueprints that you can easily apply on your subscriptions.
Azure Data Share – Support for sharing data from Azure SQL and SQL Data Warehouse
Azure Data Share service has added support for snapshot-based sharing from Azure SQL Database and SQL Data Warehouse. It’s now possible to share both structured data (from Azure SQL and SQL DW) and unstructured data (from Azure Data Lake Store and Blob storage) with centralised management and governance.
Azure Application Insights is now available in the North Central US region
Azure Application Insights is now generally available in the North Central US region.
General availability: Azure Log Analytics in Switzerland North
Log Analytics, a feature of Azure Monitor, is now GA for customers to start collecting telemetry and analyse their services for health and usage in Switzerland North.
Azure Lab Services now adjusts quota per user
Azure Lab Services added a feature to adjust quota per user, enabling instructors to give additional hours to students as needed.
Azure Lab Services now has an updated UI experience
Azure Lab Services has an updated and improved UI experience.
Twelve Cognitive Services are available for free with an Azure free account
Twelve Cognitive Services are now available for free with an Azure free account. Give your apps, websites and bots the ability to see, understand and interpret people’s needs using natural methods of communication.
Azure Monitor Log Analytics – New capacity-based pricing option is now available
A new capacity reservations pricing model for Azure Monitor Log Analytics is now available. With this new model, you pay a fixed fee based on the capacity tier you select for data ingestion.
Azure DB for PostgreSQL: Hyperscale (Citus) cluster connectivity functionality is in preview
Support for ‘Allow Azure services and resources to access this server group’ functionality in Hyperscale (Citus) clusters is now in preview.
Azure DB for PostgreSQL – Cluster scalability for Hyperscale (Citus) is now in preview
The first scalability feature for Hyperscale (Citus) is now available in preview. It’s now possible to add nodes to existing Hyperscale (Citus) clusters by using the Azure portal.
Private Link for Azure SQL Database and Data Warehouse is now in preview
Private Link enables you to connect to Azure SQL Database and Data Warehouse via a private endpoint.
Standard Load Balancers in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Bring your own IP addresses, IP prefixes and scale out the number of IPs assigned to the SLB.
Managed identities integration in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is now in preview
Create and use system-managed identities instead of service principals in AKS.
Recovery Services REST API – Switch to API version 2019-05-13 or above
If you’re directly accessing the backup-protected items REST API (not involving Azure portal, PS or CLI), please immediately switch to API version 2019-05-13 or above.
Azure DevOps – Assignment-based billing and other new features
In the latest update of Azure DevOps, we've added user assignment-based billing. With this feature, the number of Basic or Basic + Test Plan licences will change as you add or remove users. This means that you’ll only pay for the licences you’re using. We’ve also added a new setting that lets you choose whether new users get full Basic access or limited/free Stakeholder access. See the list of new features for more information.
September 2019
Azure HDInsight G-series VMs deprecation – Migrate before 31 October 2019
Azure HDInsight will deprecate G-series virtual machines (VMs) on 31 October 2019. After this date, you won’t be able to create any new clusters using G-series VMs or to scale up clusters having G-series nodes.
Azure Kubernetes Service – Retiring support for Kubernetes versions 1.11 and 1.12
On Monday 9 December 2019 (2019-12-09), we’re removing support for Kubernetes versions older than the latest version (N) and two minor versions prior (N-2) because support for Kubernetes 1.15 will become available on that date. Customers running Kubernetes versions older than Kubernetes 1.13.x must upgrade by Monday 9 December 2019 to remain in support.
Introducing promotional pricing for data transfer to Azure Front Door
Promotional pricing for data transfer to Azure Front Door is now available.
Azure CDN from Verizon – enforcement of strict SNI connections
We are deprecating support for non-SNI connections when using Azure CDN from Verizon.
Windows Virtual Desktop is now generally available worldwide
Today, we announce the worldwide general availability of Windows Virtual Desktop. It is the only service that delivers simplified management, a multi-session Windows 10 experience, optimisations for Office 365 ProPlus and support for Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) desktops and apps. With Windows Virtual Desktop, you can deploy and scale your Windows desktops and apps on Azure in minutes.
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