Better, easier IT management with new HPE WAC extensions for Azure Stack HCI

[MassimilianoG]

Hybrid cloud and other modern technologies make it easier to connect with customers and compete more effectively, but they can also add to IT complexity. HPE and Microsoft work together to help stretch resources, by giving IT teams tools that help them do their jobs better and faster.

 

A perfect example of this is the Microsoft Windows Admin Center (WAC). It brings together multiple consoles into a modern, simple, integrated, and secure remote-management experience to help streamline and simplify IT administration and management. WAC enables managing Windows Server instances anywhere, including on-premises and in any cloud. What’s more, WAC takes less than five minutes to install, and admins can start managing servers immediately—with no additional configuration required.

WAC can help ease the adoption of hybrid cloud, because it integrates with Microsoft Azure, providing the option to connect on-premises HPE ProLiant servers with cloud services. For those using Azure Stack HCI, WAC further streamlines management, providing simplified workflows to create and manage virtual machines, software-defined networking, and more. HPE further simplifies monitoring and management with HPE WAC extensions. We offer several WAC extensions that help users monitor, manage, and troubleshoot server infrastructure right in WAC.

HPE recently released updates to our WAC Azure Stack HCI Extensions:

• HPE Update snap-in: Firmware and Software inventory and status. The HPE Update snap-in reports the firmware and software inventory and status generated by HPE Smart Update Manager (SUM).  The selected components will get updated on the cluster from Cluster-Aware-Updating (CAU) orchestration.
• HPE Deployment snap-in: Completion status of Firmware and Software deployment. The HPE Deployment snap-in reports the firmware and software inventory and status generated by HPE SUM, then initiates installation of the selected components, followed by showing the completion status.
• Azure Stack HCI Extension - Overview page. The Azure Stack HCI Extension Overview Page displays important cluster node details including a summary of the node type, server model, OS version, and disk setup.
• Azure Stack HCI Extension - Storage page. Utilizing the Azure Stack HCI Extension storage page, you can see inventory of disks on each node, along with health, location, and disk type. Clicking on a listed drive will highlight the drive location on the storage graphics display and the disk LED can also be activated from the user interface for easy identification.

This extension update is part of HPE’s broader effort to deliver a series of WAC extensions for Servers, Storage and Management products. Together they simplify the monitoring and management of HPE infrastructure within the context of Microsoft hybrid cloud and HCI deployments. The latest update includes enhancements including support for HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 Plus systems.

Learn more:

• HPE Extensions for Microsoft Windows Admin Center website
• HPE blog: HPE updates WAC Server extensions
• Microsoft Windows Admin Center website