Azure Stack HCI is the former name of Azure Local; it is not another name for Azure Stack Hub. Because “Azure Stack” alone can mean different things, use the full product name when referring to either one. Microsoft says existing Azure Stack HCI deployments continue without interruption or migration action because of the rename.
What is Azure Stack HCI called now?
Microsoft now calls Azure Stack HCI Azure Local. The terminology change began appearing in Microsoft text strings on November 19, 2024. Microsoft also updated related terms: clusters are called Azure Local instances, and servers are Azure Local machines. See Microsoft’s Azure Local rename FAQ for the naming details.
Azure Stack HCI remains a name you may see in older documentation, product interfaces, or lifecycle information. Microsoft’s lifecycle listing still identifies Azure Stack HCI as supported under the Modern Lifecycle Policy; that listing does not make it the same product as Azure Stack Hub. See Microsoft’s Azure Stack HCI lifecycle page.
Is Azure Stack HCI the same as Azure Stack?
Not necessarily: “Azure Stack” by itself is ambiguous. If the reference is to the former Azure Stack HCI, the current name is Azure Local. If it is to Azure Stack Hub, it refers to a separate Microsoft product with its own documentation. Use Azure Stack Hub when that is the product meant.
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| Name | What it refers to | How to use the name |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Local | Current name for the infrastructure formerly called Azure Stack HCI. | Use for current references to that product. |
| Azure Stack HCI | Former name for Azure Local; it still appears in older materials and lifecycle information. | Use when explaining older references or quoting historical product terminology. |
| Azure Stack Hub | A separate Microsoft product with separate documentation. | Use the full name when referring to Hub. |
What does Azure Local do?
Azure Local is infrastructure for local deployments in customer-owned environments. Microsoft’s overview describes connected and disconnected deployment modes, while its baseline architecture describes on-premises and edge physical servers hosting virtual machines, Kubernetes clusters, and Arc-enabled services. It is not an Azure datacenter simply because Azure services can help manage it.
Azure Arc provides a management and governance connection to Azure. Depending on the deployment, supporting services may include Azure Monitor, Azure Key Vault, Azure Policy, Defender for Cloud, Azure Backup, and Site Recovery. Microsoft’s Azure Local overview and baseline architecture describe these deployment concepts. The availability of particular Azure services or capabilities in a disconnected environment is deployment-specific; do not assume it matches connected operation.
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Do existing Azure Stack HCI customers need to migrate?
No migration is required because of the name change. Microsoft says existing deployments, configuration, and integrations continue to function, and customers do not need to take action for the rename. Its FAQ states: “All existing deployments, configuration, and integration continue to function as they do today without any action from you.” Microsoft also said pricing, licensing, service-level agreements, certifications, and support remained the same when that FAQ was written.
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