Azure Boost

Azure Boost is a new system that offloads server virtualization processes traditionally performed by the hypervisor and host OS, such as networking, storage, and host management, onto purpose-built hardware and software. By separating hypervisor and host OS functions from the host infrastructure, Azure Boost enables greater network and storage performance at scale, improves security by adding another layer of logical isolation, and reduces the maintenance impact for future Azure software and hardware upgrades.

Azure Boost has already been providing benefits to millions of existing Azure VMs in production today, such as enabling the exceptional remote storage performance of the Ebsv5 VM series and networking throughput and latency improvements for the entire Ev5 and Dv5 VM series. Upcoming VM series will continue to take advantage of continuous improvements in performance, security, and reliability of the Azure Boost system going forward.

Access the latest Azure Boost capabilities by using the latest VMs or signing up for the latest preview which can provide access to even greater capabilities not generally available yet.

Some Azure partners, developers, and customers may require additional efforts to integrate the Microsoft Azure Network Adapter (MANA) into their Azure VM solutions, which is necessary to take full advantage of the Azure Boost networking benefits.  MANA also supports Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) to provide network focused Azure partners and customers with enhanced access to the hardware. Read the blog to learn more.

Azure Boost VMs are both FIPS 140 and NIST 800-193 certified.