The global virtual machine market revenue is estimated to grow to USD 39.07 billion by 2033, which at present stands at USD 11.11 billion in 2024. In the fast-evolving world of software training and sales, virtual machine lab providers have turned out to be a game-changer, helping transform traditional training scenarios into engaging virtual experiences that are innovative and efficient. Microsoft Azure Lab Services has been a reliable name in lab platforms. However, Azure Lab Services will completely retire on June 28th, 2027, and as of July 15th, 2024, new users can no longer sign up or request new labs.
Microsoft suggests transitioning existing Azure Labs Services workflows to a recommended Microsoft service or partner solution prior to the retirement date to avoid unnecessary disruptions. It has recommended CloudLabs as a trusted alternative, offering solutions similar to Azure Lab Services. Continue in the blog to understand the best practices to take up prior to Azure Lab Services’ complete retirement. Also, get a glimpse of the reasons why CloudLabs stands out to be a trusted lab provider for global enterprises and educational institutions.
Best Practices to Follow Before Azure Lab Services Completely Retires
Microsoft continues to offer dedicated support for current lab deployments till the service retirement date. This includes fixes for security issues and blocking bugs. However, it suggests an immediate transition to a recommended solution. Here is a comprehensive walkthrough of the best practices:
Review Your Requirements and Choose Accordingly
Microsoft has recommended Azure Lab Services alternatives, making it an easy task for existing users to transition accordingly. Before finalizing a particular service provider, it is recommended to run a thorough review of the services provided by the latter. Look out for evidently helpful services like over-the-shoulder view, browser-based web access, LMS integration, and more. Finalize one that suits your differential needs.
Consider your Lab Usage Trends Before Requesting the Same Amount of Azure Subscription Core Limits
Azure subscription core limits are non-transferrable to any preferred solution. This is applicable to both – Lab accounts and relevant lab plans. One must generate a new request for core limits to get going. It is suggested to review the present lab usage trends rather than just assuming. This will help avoid unnecessary charges and unwanted hassles with resource management.
Explore CloudLabs VM Labs: Offering Relevant Experiences Similar to Azure Lab Services
CloudLabs VM Labs serves a variety of scenarios, fulfilling specific requirements in education and training. It provides the same familiar interface and features that others find useful in Azure Lab Services, with more powerful features added.Whether transitioning or planning to start new, CloudLabs ensures a seamless user experience. From lab management and infrastructure deployment to clean up, everything is seamlessly managed, powered by Microsoft Azure in the backend, allowing the virtual machines to operate on Azure infrastructure and region of choice.
Build an Impactful Online Training Experience with CloudLabs VM Labs
CloudLabs, for the past 8 years, has been trusted by top universities and institutions from around the globe. As a recognized leader in lab platforms, it is known for fulfilling dedicated requirements with relevant lab solutions that are innovative and reliable. To help you get started, here is a step-by-step guide on building an impactful online training experience with CloudLabs VM Labs.
Start Fresh
CloudLabs empowers one to curate lab environments solely managed on Azure cloud. The labs are fully managed and flexible, adhering to various use cases – hackathons, classroom training, and research. Continue in the blog if you are planning to start fresh.
- Signup for a CloudLabs Account
Complete an onboarding form, entering the organization’s details – address, name, and contact information. The list of admins with access granted to manage lab environments. Followed by the name and email address of the signing authority who will be signing the agreement with CloudLabs.
- Create and Test VM Images
Use the available resources to create new images. You can also consider upgrading or altering the base image. Make sure you have at least one network contributor privilege for your virtual network, as that eases out the management process at a later stage.
- Setup Labs
An interactive user interface, a step-by-step lab creator’s guide, and a dedicated support team add to the ease for one who wants to create a new lab within VM Labs.
- Deploy Freshly Created Labs
The newly curated labs are ready for deployment, distribution, and immediate use. Moreover, to bring down the deployment waiting period, “Hot Instances” are made available by CloudLabs VM labs. These are pre-configured lab instances immediately available to users on request. It typically eliminates delays, easing out the process of on-demand provisioning.
Migrate Existing Labs
Before migrating or creating labs in VM labs, it is essential to curate a new virtual network in CloudLabs and set up peering. Follow the steps mentioned below if your end goal is to migrate existing labs.
- Signup for a CloudLabs Account
Complete the onboarding form, filling in the organization’s address, name, and contact information. Include the list of admins with access granted to manage lab environments. Follow up by entering the name and email address of the signing authority who will be signing the agreement with CloudLabs.
- Migrate VM Images
Start by installing the Azure PowerShell module locally and complete image migration by running the CloudLabs migration script. You can run the script multiple times to migrate various images.
- Migrate Labs
When migrating labs comprising custom images, the migration tool looks out for images with the same name saved in the CloudLabs compute gallery. Then those are used while creating the lab. Make sure to migrate custom images before you migrate any lab. Use the dedicated lab migration tool available to migrate existing labs.
- Go-Live
Post successfully migrating all the required labs and images, you can start using the labs in real time. Deploy and distribute on the go!
Deliver Impactful Online Training Experiences with CloudLabs VM Labs Inbuilt Tools
CloudLabs VM Labs stands for seamless customizations and complete flexibility within labs. Here is a list of all the interesting tools that the labs comprise, ensuring organizations and institutes get to deliver an impactful training experience.
- Dedicated Login Credentials: There is a feature to configure both non-admin and admin credentials when creating a lab. Non-admin credentials when enabled, the lab instructor will only get access to the admin credentials
- Unique Password Generation: The system will start generating unique passwords for different virtual machines part of the course when the use of the same password is disabled.
- Shadow VM: Admins can comprehensively control each lab by directly connecting and accessing the same. They can start, stop, or delete labs when required.
- Hot Instances: Hot instances or pre-created lab instances help reduce lab deployment waiting time. Particularly efficient for monitoring peak demand periods.
- VM Uptime Quota: Set a predefined limit on the total hours of VM active usage time. This helps with effective cost control, as a lab user can no longer access their VM once they exhaust the uptime quota.
- Predefined Lab Expiration Date: Define a fixed time when the lab and its related instances will automatically get deleted. The default date is 00:00 UTC, a day after the expiration date.
Wrapping Up
To conclude, Azure Lab Services’ retirement did pose a series of new challenges for its existing customers, wondering what to plan next. However, CloudLabs VM labs with a comprehensive interface and fully managed labs turn out to be a game changer, assuring ease of usage for learners, admins, and lab instructors.