Last month Microsoft announced they were offering Extended Security Updates for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, and SQL Server 2012. The updates are free for those on Azure and can be purchased for a fee for those running\u00a0Windows Server and SQL Server on-premises.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Microsoft also announced that customers who need more time to upgrade and modernise their Windows Server and SQL Server 2008\/R2 can take advantage of one additional year of free extended security updates for 2008\/R2 servers only on Azure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As of 30th July 2021, Azure SQL enabled by Azure Arc is generally available. This includes Arc-enabled SQL Managed Instance\u00a0and\u00a0SQL Server on Arc-enabled servers\u00a0but doesn’t\u00a0yet include\u00a0Azure Arc-enabled PostgreSQL Hyperscale\u00a0which\u00a0remains in preview and will become generally available soon.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Azure Arc-enabled SQL Managed Instance brings benefits such as automated updates, optimised data workload performance, a cloud billing model consistent with Azure, and much more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SQL Server on Arc-enabled servers brings all the management benefits of Arc-enabled servers to your existing SQL Server running on virtual machines and physical servers anywhere.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To find out more or to get started with Azure hybrid data services click\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The brand new online technical skilling program is designed for professionals of all skills levels looking to stay current on Azure best practices, connect with Azure experts, and transform their IT operations and infrastructure. Key topics include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Learn, connect, and achieve with\u00a0<\/span>Inside Azure for IT<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Following the preview release announced in February 2021, Microsoft have now\u00a0<\/span>announced<\/span><\/a>\u00a0the general availability of\u00a0<\/span>Microsoft Azure Firewall Premium<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0The solution is designed to provide advanced threat protection, can seamlessly scale up to 30 Gbps, and integrate with availability zones to support the\u00a0SLA\u00a0of 99.99%.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Key features in this release include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Azure Firewall Premium capabilities. Source: Microsoft.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In July\u00a0Microsoft announced the preview of\u00a0<\/span>disk pool for\u00a0Azure VMware Solution<\/span><\/a>. The solution is designed to help users gain flexibility for their data needs with scalable and cost-effective cloud storage for VMware workloads running on Azure.\u00a0Perfect for those with storage-intensive workloads,\u00a0or\u00a0those looking to use Azure VMware Solution as a disaster recovery site, disk pool is easy to create and connect\u00a0in just a few simple steps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To get started head on over to Microsoft\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>step-by-step guide<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n No matter the size of your business it\u2019s important to know what you\u2019re spending, where, and how you can reduce those costs. This is\u00a0where\u00a0<\/span>Azure Cost Management and Billing<\/span><\/a>\u00a0comes in. Here are some of the latest improvements and updates based on user feedback:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, grab a drink and have a read of all the latest improvements and updates\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whether you’re looking to do a deep dive into the world of Azure, or you\u2019re looking for more information on modern database management services we\u2019ve got the guides for you.\u00a0<\/span>They\u2019re free, they\u2019re informative, and they\u2019re available\u00a0<\/span>to download\u00a0<\/span>now.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Azure-101-214×300.png” title_text=”Azure 101″ url=”https:\/\/www.n4stack.io\/microsoft-azure-101\/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.n4stack.io\/microsoft-azure-101\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#e05206″ button_border_color=”#e05206″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DBaaS-101-214×300.png” title_text=”DBaaS 101″ url=”https:\/\/www.n4stack.io\/database-as-a-service-101\/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.n4stack.io\/database-as-a-service-101\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#e05206″ button_border_color=”#e05206″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ header_2_text_color=”#e05206″ header_3_text_color=”#e05206″ header_4_text_color=”#e05206″]<\/p>\n Accelerate big data analytics with the Spark 3.0 connector for SQL Server\u2014now generally available<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Manage RDP and SSH connectivity at scale with Azure Bastion<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#3d3d3d” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ header_2_text_color=”#e05206″ header_3_text_color=”#e05206″ header_4_text_color=”#e05206″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb title=”The Emergence and Importance of the Modern Data Platform” url=”https:\/\/n4stack.io\/2021\/07\/26\/the-emergence-and-importance-of-the-modern-data-platform\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Blog_Grey-150×150.png” alt=”Azure SQL” font_icon_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/n4stack.io\/2021\/07\/26\/the-emergence-and-importance-of-the-modern-data-platform\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#e05206″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ font_icon__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n Are you considering a modern data platform? Join Julian Boneham as he explores the emergence and importance of the modern data platform in his latest blog.<\/p>\n Read the blog.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb title=”Six Business Benefits of Using Microsoft Azure” url=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/qWsUPI-TneI” url_new_window=”on” image=”http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Video_Grey-150×150.png” font_icon_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/qWsUPI-TneI” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#e05206″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ font_icon__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n Have you got 5-minutes to spare? Take a break and watch our short video from Andy Slater to find out six benefits a migration to Microsoft Azure can bring to your organisation.<\/p>\n Watch video.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb title=”Keep updated with the latest Azure News” url=”https:\/\/n4stack.io\/2021\/07\/01\/azure-news-july-2021\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Blog_Grey-150×150.png” font_icon_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/n4stack.io\/2021\/07\/01\/azure-news-july-2021\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#e05206″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ font_icon__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n Did you enjoy the latest Azure News? Grab yourself a coffee and have a read of last month’s newsletter to make sure you are kept updated and didn’t miss anything.<\/p>\nAzure SQL enabled by Azure Arc now generally available<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Microsoft launches Inside Azure for IT<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
Azure Firewall Premium now generally available<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/content.n4stack.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Azure-Firewall-Premium-capabilities.png\")
<\/p>\nIntroducing disk pool for Azure VMware Solution<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Azure Cost Management and Billing updates\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
Have you seen our 101 series?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
IN OTHER NEWS:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Further Insights<\/h3>\n