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.