CloudLabs VM Labs: Microsoft Recommended Azure Lab Services Alternative Post Retirement

Important Announcement: Azure Lab Services Retirement 

Microsoft has announced the retirement of Azure Lab Services, with the service set to be fully retired on June 28, 2027. As of July 15, 2024, new customers will no longer be able to sign up for the service. Existing lab accounts, lab plans, and labs will continue to operate until the retirement date. To avoid any disruptions, it is crucial to transition to alternative solutions as soon as possible. 

What This Means for You 

If you are currently using Azure Lab Services, you will need to transition to a new platform to continue managing your virtual machine labs. Microsoft recommends several partner solutions to help you make this transition smoothly. Here’s what you need to know about the announcement and how it impacts you: 

Impact on Current Users 

Current users of Azure Lab Services need to start planning their transition to avoid any disruption in their services. The retirement means that after June 28, 2027, all lab environments and associated data will no longer be accessible. It is essential to choose a recommended partner solution and begin the migration process as early as possible. 

Transitioning to a New Solution 

To ensure a smooth transition, Microsoft has partnered with several solution providers, including CloudLabs VM Labs. These partners offer alternative solutions that provide similar or enhanced functionalities compared to Azure Lab Services. Here are some steps to help you transition effectively: 

1. Assess Your Current Usage: Evaluate your current lab environments, usage patterns, and specific needs. 
2. Choose a Partner Solution: Select a recommended partner solution that best fits your requirements. 
3. Plan Your Migration: Develop a detailed migration plan, including timelines, resource allocation, and potential downtime. 
4. Execute the Migration: Follow the migration plan to transition your labs, data, and users to the new platform. 
5. Verify and Optimize: After the migration, verify that all functionalities are working as expected and optimize your new environment for performance and cost efficiency. 

CloudLabs VM Labs is designed to offer a seamless transition experience for Azure Lab Services users, with additional features tailored for various use-cases. 

Benefits of Transitioning Early 

Transitioning to a new solution well before the retirement date offers several benefits: 

• Avoid Service Disruptions: Ensures continuous operation of your virtual labs without any downtime. 
• Access to Enhanced Features: Benefit from advanced capabilities and improved user experiences offered by partner solutions. 
• Better Support: Gain access to dedicated support teams that can assist with migration and ongoing maintenance. 
• Cost Efficiency: Optimize costs with advanced cost control features and transparent pricing models. 
• CloudLabs Discount: Transition to CloudLabs VM Labs by 30th October and enjoy exclusive perks and 50% discount on platform fee. Know more about VM Labs Pricing 

Introducing CloudLabs VM Labs 

Watch this short video
 

Why CloudLabs VM Labs?  

CloudLabs VM Labs Offers Seamless Lab Solution for Azure Lab Services Customers Our premier labs stand out to be the best-in-class solution for cloud-based learning environments – supporting browser-based web access, cost-optimization tools, and CPU/GPU-based virtual machines for Linux and Windows OS. These labs are hosted on Azure, where provisioning can be configured to specific Azure regions for low latency and data residency requirements. We assure:   

• Feature Parity: CloudLabs VM Labs offers the same familiar interface and capabilities you love about Azure Lab Services, with added power and flexibility.  
• Transparent Pricing: You only pay for the active lab environments based on a pay-as-you-go pricing model.   
• Premium Technical Support: Dedicated professionals provide seamless support with lab-related technicalities 24 x 7.  
• Simple Migration Process: Step-by-step transition assistance ensures a smooth switch from ALB to CloudLabs VM Labs services without unwanted disruptions.  
• Brand Excellence: CloudLabs is known for providing innovative and reliable tech in the form of pre-featured customized labs, assuring seamless excellence.     

Key Capabilities – CloudLabs VM Labs    

CloudLabs – as a premier hands-on platform, integrates with Microsoft Azure in the backend, enabling your Virtual Machines to operate on Azure infrastructure. Thus, allowing you to fully utilize the power and capabilities of the Azure platform, improving the overall lab deployment experience.  

• Customized Labs: Fully functional labs for Windows and Linux-based Operating Systems get deployed within minutes and can be customized to one’s exact requirements.  
• Direct Web Connect: Access the virtual machines through the web browser of choice without the need for any additional software installation.  
• Detailed Reports: Detailed reports on Azure cost management or CloudLabs platform help track cloud fees by lab, template, instructor, or student. Admins and lab creators set budgets and alerts for effective cost management.   
• Shadow VM: Instructors and administrators can connect to participants’ virtual machines using Shadow VM and provide real-time oversight and support.   
• Seamless User Experience: Invite users via email or redeemable codes. Once signed in, participants can immediately start accessing the virtual labs without the need for any additional software installation.  
• Advanced Cost Optimization: Easily track and limit lab usage, schedule lab’s operational hours, and automate VM shutdown for idle labs.  
• API & PowerShell Automation: Automate operations with Rest APIs and PowerShell scripts, enhancing productivity and reducing manual tasks.  
• LMS Integration: CloudLabs integrates seamlessly with various LMS systems – Moodle and Canvas using LTI 1.1 and 1.2. Thus, enabling effective communication between the CloudLabs VM labs portal and these platforms.  
• Shared VMs: You can share one virtual machine among multiple users with multi-session capabilities to minimize cost.  
• Integrated Lab Guides: Detailed lab guides with step-by-step instructions integrated within the virtual machines facilitate seamless guided learning.   
• Multi-lingual Support: Access support and localization services in English, Espanol, Francés, Deutsch, Italiano, etc.  

With CloudLabs VM Labs, you can experience the ease of orchestration and the efficiency of seamless lab setup and deployment, similar to Azure Lab Services. Additionally, the platform complies with a range of international standards – ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, SOC, FERPA, CSPC, and COPPA, ensuring absolute protection of users’ data, meeting the highest level of regulatory requirements. Moving on, you can always start fresh or migrate existing labs.   

Ready to Transition to CloudLabs VM Labs?  

Start Fresh  

Here is how you can start fresh:  

• Create a Lab Account: Get started by creating a CloudLabs account.   
• Create VM Images: Utilize the CloudLabs portal to create and test your VM Image.  
• Setup Labs: Configure your labs with new resources and settings.  
• Go Live: Deploy your newly created labs, ready for immediate use and distribution.  

Migrate Existing Labs  

Here is how you can migrate existing VM labs and images:  

• Create a Lab Account: Start your migration journey by creating a CloudLabs account.  
• Migrate VM Images: Start to migrate or replicate your VM Image by using the CloudLabs Migration script.  
• Migrate Labs: Leverage the migration tool to migrate your labs from your existing Lab Account and Lab Plan.    
• Go Live: The newly migrated labs are ready for deployment and distribution.  

Your Guide to Save More with CloudLabs  

With CloudLabs VM Labs, organizations can implement robust cloud cost management strategies to reduce cloud cost. Our advanced cost optimization features ensure smooth and cost-effective solution eliminating budgetary concerns. 

• On-Demand Provisioning: Automatically provisions VMs when needed, avoiding costs associated with pre-allocating resources. 
• Auto-Delete VMs: Allows users to schedule automatic deletion of lab VMs after a set period, preventing charges for unused resources. 
• Auto-Stop VMs: Schedules can be set to automatically stop lab VMs when not in use, reducing hourly costs. 
• Detect and Stop Idle VMs: Configures the system to detect inactivity and automatically stop idle VMs, preventing unnecessary expenses. 
• Storage Cost Optimization: Provides options to select the appropriate storage size and type for VM disks and images, lowering storage costs. 

Buy from Azure Marketplace 

You can purchase CloudLabs VM Labs from Azure Marketplace, utilizing your existing Azure subscription and commitments. Owing to the fact that CloudLabs is an Azure Benefit Eligible product in the Azure Marketplace, the purchase action will cover both the Azure subscription fee and the CloudLabs platform fee for your deployments. Contact cloudlabs-sales@spektrasystems.com to get a private offer for purchase via Azure Marketplace.  

Conclusion 

To conclude, Microsoft-recommended CloudLabs VM Lab solution stands out as an effective alternative to Azure Lab Services’ helping organizations of all sizes – to create, manage, and distribute VM labs for Windows and Linux operating systems. Backed by Azure integration and quality support from CloudLabs, VM Labs comes off as a fully managed service, helping users access preconfigured virtual machines customized to their unique needs. From classroom and professional training to hackathons or hosting hands-on labs at any scale, with CloudLabs VM Labs, you just need to define your ideal lab experience, and things can be customized.   

To learn more about the VM Labs experience, visit – https://cloudlabs.ai/azure-lab-services. You can also reach out to sales team at cloudlabs-sales@spektrasystems.com or Book a Demo  

Manesh Raveendran

Manesh Raveendran is the CEO and Founder of Spektra Systems. He is known for his thought leadership and for crafting end-to-end technology solutions in cloud marketplaces. His passion lies in harnessing the potential of public cloud partnerships to drive business growth. With over two decades of experience, Manesh collaborates with global CXOs, designing innovative cloud solutions and services to drive customer success and address critical business challenges.