Running Legacy Applications with Azure VMware Solution Made Easy
You can use Azure VMware Solution to run legacy apps. You do not need to change your code or how things are built. AVS lets you use VMware tools you already know. This makes moving your apps easy. Many groups have problems like unsupported IPv6 addresses. They also deal with old operating systems and disk redundancy issues. VM sizing problems can happen when moving workloads. Planning for network and identity is important. Setting up backups is also needed. Getting everyone involved helps the move go well. With the right plan, you can solve these problems. You can move your legacy workloads with confidence.
Key Takeaways
Azure VMware Solution helps you run old apps without changing code or tools. This makes moving your apps easy and quick.
First, make a list of your old apps. Use Azure Migrate to check what they need and how they connect.
Plan your move with your team to keep downtime low. Careful planning helps you avoid common mistakes.
Set up your AVS environment with the right resources. Use VMware HCX tools to move your apps safely and easily.
After you move your apps, test them well. Use Azure and VMware tools to watch how they work, stay safe, and manage costs.
Assess Workloads
Identify Legacy Apps
Begin by making a list of your legacy apps. Use Azure Migrate to find all workloads in your system. This tool helps you spot VMware VMs, physical servers, and web apps. Write down each app’s setup, what it needs, and how it works with others. Be sure to note performance, security, and compliance needs.
Tip: If servers are off, you might miss performance data. Keep all systems on to get the right info.
A good list shows which apps need old systems. These links can make moving harder. Azure Migrate shows how your apps connect. This helps you plan better.
Check Compatibility
Now, see if your legacy apps will work with AVS. Look at your current VMware setup first. RVTools can help you get details about your system. You can make a test VMware space with supported versions. Copy your legacy VMs there and try them out. Update VM Tools and hardware if you need to. Run simple tests to check if your apps work.
Check your network, app links, and speed needs too. Talk to AVS Solutions Architects if you can. They help you size your system and lower risks.
Plan Migration
Good planning makes moving easier. Bring everyone together for group talks. Set your goals, share what you expect, and make a plan. Look at your workloads to find risks and chances to improve. Make a step-by-step plan to keep downtime low. Give out jobs, set goals, and plan what to do if things go wrong.
Note: Watch for problems like missing data, unclear jobs, or bad deadlines. A strong plan and good leaders help you avoid these and make your move a success.
Run Legacy Apps on AVS
Deploy AVS Environment
To run legacy apps in Azure, you must set up your AVS environment first. Make sure you meet these basic needs:
vCenter Server version 7.0 or higher (latest is 8.0 U2d)
Each resource pool or cluster needs at least 16 GB RAM and 4 vCPUs
At least 100 GB of free space in your datastore
AVS cluster must have at least three ESXi hosts, but you can scale up to sixteen hosts if needed
Use static IP addresses (DHCP is not supported)
Set up VPN or ExpressRoute for network connectivity
Allowlist firewall and proxy URLs for management VM and Appliance VM communication
Management VM must have internet access and direct connectivity to vCenter Server
You need an Azure subscription and Azure Active Directory tenant
AVS uses special Azure hardware just for you. You do not have to buy or take care of any physical servers. Microsoft takes care of the hardware for you. You only need to pick your IP address ranges, ask for host quotas, and choose host types. AVS uses vSphere, vSAN, and NSX-T, so you can use the VMware tools you already know. This setup lets you run legacy apps without changing how they work.
Tip: Always plan your cluster size for now and later. You can start with three hosts and add more as your needs grow.
Migrate with VMware Tools
After your AVS environment is ready, you can move your legacy workloads. VMware HCX is the main tool for this job. HCX lets you move your workloads without changing them. You can pick from different ways to migrate:
vMotion: Move important apps live, with no downtime.
Bulk Migration: Move many development or test VMs at once.
Replication Assisted vMotion (RAV): Good for database workloads like SQL Server.
Cold Migration: Use this for legacy systems that can handle downtime.
OS Assisted Migration (OSAM): Move physical Linux servers.
HCX Service Mesh helps control the flow of migration traffic. It keeps your data safe and makes migration smooth. Use Network Extension and Mobility Optimized Networking to keep your network settings the same during and after migration. Azure Migrate helps you plan and size your migration before you start.
With these tools, you can run legacy apps in the cloud just like you did on-premises. You do not need to change your apps or retrain your team.
Validate and Test
After you move your workloads, you need to make sure everything works. Start with pilot testing. Move a small group of apps first. Let end-users check if the apps work as they should. Use Azure Application Insights and Azure Monitor to watch performance and resource use in real time.
Follow these steps to check your migration:
Compare Baselines: Check resource use and settings before and after migration.
Functional Testing: Make sure your apps work from start to finish.
Performance Testing: Test how your apps handle different loads.
Integration Testing: Check if your apps connect with other systems.
Data Validation: Make sure your data is correct after the move.
Security Testing: Check access controls and protect sensitive data.
User Acceptance Testing: Let users confirm the apps meet their needs.
Note: Always set up backup and disaster recovery plans. Use Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery to protect your data and keep your business running if something goes wrong.
You can use the table below to track key performance metrics after migration:
By following these steps, you can run legacy apps in Azure with confidence. You keep your business safe and your workloads running smoothly.
Manage and Optimize
Monitor Performance
You must keep legacy applications working well after moving them. First, set up tools that watch both VMware and Azure. Here is a simple way to do this:
Use VMware vSphere events and alarms to check system health.
Set up Azure alerts with Log Analytics to spot problems fast.
Send AVS syslog logs to Log Analytics for one place to see data.
Put Azure Arc-enabled agents on your VMs for better monitoring.
Add Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools to watch your code.
Make dashboards in Application Insights or Grafana for easy viewing.
Create Azure workbooks for reports you can interact with.
Use VMware Aria Operations to help performance and manage space.
Set alerts for big problems and cut down on too many alerts.
Keep using your old monitoring tools if you want.
Azure VMware Solution works with Azure Monitor by letting you put Log Analytics agents on your VMs. These agents collect logs and numbers, then send them to Azure Monitor to study. You can make alerts to tell your team about problems. Azure Arc helps you watch and manage guest OS workloads, so you see everything in your setup.
Secure and Comply
Keeping your legacy apps safe is very important. AVS uses VMware software-defined networking and storage to protect your data. You control who gets in with role-based access and Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management. You can link to outside identity sources using LDAPS. AVS lets you use vSAN encryption with your own keys, and Trusted Launch makes sure your VMs start safely.
Tip: Use flexible firewall choices and Zero Trust ideas to limit who gets in and check users every time.
AVS helps you follow rules by keeping your setup the same. You can use Azure Policy, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Azure Monitor to make sure security rules are followed. Hybrid network links and extra domain controllers help with old authentication, which is needed for some rules. Log Analytics and Azure Arc give you more ways to see and control things.
Control Costs
Watching costs is important when you run legacy workloads. AVS lets you add or remove resources, so you only pay for what you use. You can save money with Reserved Instances for one, three, or five years. Azure hybrid benefits help lower license costs for Windows and SQL workloads. Automation and monitoring tools help you not use too much and keep costs down.
AVS means you do not need to buy new hardware or fix it. You get a set monthly cost and your IT team can work on better projects. With Azure NetApp Files, you can move old file shares to the cloud without changing your apps. This service works with both SMB and NFS, so it is easy to handle data for Windows and Linux workloads. You can mount these file shares right on your AVS VMs, which helps with hybrid setups and keeps storage fast and safe.
By doing these things, you keep legacy apps working well, protect your data, and manage your costs in the cloud.
You can run legacy apps on Azure VMware Solution without big changes. AVS lets you use the VMware skills and tools you already know. This means you do not need to learn new things or change how you work.
Move your workloads fast by using a lift-and-shift method.
Add more resources when you need them and know your costs.
Make your apps safer and follow rules with Azure’s built-in features.
You can start checking your setup today or talk to Azure experts for help. AVS gives you guides, partner help, and training so you can do well.
FAQ
What legacy applications can you run on Azure VMware Solution?
You can run most legacy Windows and Linux applications on AVS. AVS supports apps that work on VMware vSphere. You do not need to change your code or rebuild your apps.
Do you need to refactor your legacy apps before migration?
No, you do not need to refactor your legacy apps. AVS lets you move your workloads as they are. You use the same VMware tools and processes you already know.
How do you keep your data safe during migration?
Use VMware HCX for secure migration. Set up encryption and network security rules. Always test backups before you start. Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery help protect your data.
Can you scale your AVS environment after migration?
Yes, you can add or remove hosts as your needs change. AVS lets you scale up for growth or scale down to save costs. You control your resources in the Azure portal.
What tools help you monitor legacy apps on AVS?
You can use Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and VMware vSphere tools. Add Application Insights for deeper app monitoring. These tools help you track performance, spot issues, and keep your apps running well.