v0.0.2-alpha

AzSHCI v0.0.2-alpha Release Notes

I am pleased to announce the release of AzSHCI v0.0.2-alpha, which brings new features and enhancements to simplify the deployment and management of Azure Stack HCI in testing and lab environments.

What's New in v0.0.2-alpha

New Folders and Scripts

1. Folder: 02Day2

• 10_StartStopAzSHCI.ps1

  • Purpose: Allows you to start or stop your Azure Stack HCI infrastructure by managing the Domain Controller (DC) and Cluster Node VMs in a controlled manner.
  • Features:
    • Ensures operations are performed in the correct order.
    • Includes appropriate delays and progress indicators.
    • Enhances resource management by allowing you to control the operational state of your lab environment.

• 11_ImageBuilderAzSHCI.ps1

  • Purpose: Downloads selected VM images from Azure to Azure Stack HCI.
  • Features:
    • Installs necessary PowerShell modules if not already installed.
    • Connects to Azure using device code authentication with retries.
    • Allows you to select the Azure subscription and resource group.
    • Retrieves available VM images based on predefined publishers.
    • Enables selection of images to download.
    • Downloads images using AzCopy directly on the VM Node.
    • Converts downloaded VHDs to VHDX format and optimizes them on the VM Node.
  • Advantages:
    • Streamlines the process of obtaining and preparing VM images.
    • Reduces manual effort and potential errors in VM deployment.
  • Note: Remember to modify local credential parameters ($defaultUser and $defaultPwd) in the script.

2. Folder: 03VMDeployment

• 20_SSHRDPArcVM.ps1

  • Purpose: Searches for Azure Arc VMs in a specified resource group, ensures the SSH extension is installed, and establishes an SSH connection.
  • Features:
    • Checks and installs Azure PowerShell modules (Az.Compute and Az.ConnectedMachine) if not installed.
    • Checks and installs Azure CLI and its SSH extension if not installed on the local machine.
    • Connects to Azure using device code authentication.
    • Allows selection of a subscription and resource group.
    • Retrieves Azure Arc VMs from the selected resource group.
    • Installs the SSH extension on the VM if it's not already installed.
    • Establishes an SSH connection to the Azure Arc VM using the specified local user.
  • Advantages:
    • Simplifies connectivity to Azure Arc-enabled VMs.
    • Enhances management and troubleshooting capabilities.

Advantages of This Release

• Enhanced Automation: The new scripts automate day-to-day operations, reducing manual steps and saving time.
• Improved Resource Management: Control over starting and stopping the infrastructure allows for better resource utilization.
• Simplified VM Deployment: The Image Builder script makes it easier to deploy new VMs by automating image download and preparation.
• Easier Connectivity: The SSHRDPArcVM script streamlines the process of connecting to Azure Arc VMs.

Known Issues

• Alpha Stability: This is an alpha release intended for testing. Some scripts may contain bugs or incomplete features.
• Manual Credential Updates: All scripts require modification of local credential parameters ($defaultUser and $defaultPwd). Ensure you update these before execution.

Upcoming Features

I am actively working on adding new functionalities:

• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) Integration
• Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Deployment
• Azure Arc Managed VMs Setup

Stay tuned for future releases that will include these enhancements.

Getting Started

Please refer to the updated README for detailed instructions on prerequisites, setup, and script execution.

Feedback and Contributions

Your feedback is invaluable:

• Issues: Report bugs or suggest features by opening an issue.
• Contributions: Fork the repository and submit a pull request with improvements or bug fixes.

Thank you for your support and for trying out AzSHCI v0.0.2-alpha! I hope these updates enhance your Azure Stack HCI deployment experience.

v0.0.1-alpha

AzSHCI v0.0.1-alpha Release Notes

I am excited to announce the first alpha release of AzSHCI (version 0.0.1-alpha), a collection of PowerShell scripts I've developed to simplify the deployment of Azure Stack HCI in testing and lab environments.

Please note: This is an alpha release intended for testing and feedback purposes. The scripts are in an early stage of development and may contain bugs or incomplete features. I welcome your feedback to help improve the project.

What's New in v0.0.1-alpha

• Initial Release of Deployment Scripts:
  • 00_Infra_AzHCI.ps1: Sets up virtual networking, creates necessary folder structures, and deploys the Azure Stack HCI node and Domain Controller VMs.
  • 01_DC.ps1: Configures the Domain Controller VM, including network settings and Active Directory setup.
  • 02_Cluster.ps1: Configures the Azure Stack HCI node VM, installs required features, and registers the node with Azure Arc.
  • 03_TroubleshootingExtensions.ps1: Manages Azure Connected Machine extensions for the HCI nodes, troubleshooting common issues.
  • 99_Offboarding.ps1: Cleans up the deployment by removing VMs, associated VHD files, virtual switches, NAT settings, and designated folder structures.

Features

• Nested Virtualization Support: Leverage nested virtualization to create a fully functional Azure Stack HCI environment within your existing hypervisor setup.
• Automated Deployment: Simplify the setup process with scripts that automate VM creation, network configuration, and system preparation.
• Resource Efficiency: Designed to run on minimal hardware, making it ideal for lab environments and testing scenarios.
• Azure Integration: Seamless integration with Azure services, including Azure Arc for hybrid management.

Known Issues

• Alpha Stability: As this is an alpha release, you may encounter bugs or incomplete features. I recommend using this version for testing purposes only.
• Extension Installation Delay: Azure Connected Machine extensions may take up to 20 minutes to install after running Script 02. Use Script 03 if issues arise.
• Manual Steps Required: Some steps require manual intervention, such as installing operating systems on VMs and adjusting script variables.

Upcoming Features

I'm actively working on adding new functionalities to AzSHCI. In early November, I plan to implement a new folder named 02Day2 which will contain two additional scripts:

• 10_StartStopAzSHCI.ps1: A script to stop and start the Azure Stack HCI cluster, allowing you to manage the cluster's operational state easily.

• 11_AzSHCIImageBuilder.ps1: A script to download VM images from Azure directly to the cluster, transform them into optimized VHDX files, and integrate them into the Azure Portal. This will streamline the process of deploying new virtual machines on your cluster using images from Azure.

Stay tuned for these updates, which will further enhance the capabilities of AzSHCI and simplify day-to-day operations.

Getting Started

Please refer to the README for detailed instructions on prerequisites, setup, and script execution.

Feedback and Contributions

I highly value your feedback during this alpha phase. Please report any issues or suggestions by opening an issue on the GitHub repository.

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to fork the repository and submit pull requests with improvements or bug fixes.

Future Enhancements

Planned updates include:

• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) Integration
• Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Deployment
• Azure Arc Managed VMs Setup