Determine supportability of SAP workloads in Azure

Azure provides robust support options for running SAP workloads, ensuring high availability, performance, and scalability. Let’s explore how you can determine the supportability of SAP workloads in Azure and leverage the resources provided by Microsoft.

Azure Virtual Machines

SAP workloads can be deployed on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) running both Windows and Linux operating systems. You can choose from a wide range of VM sizes to meet the specific requirements of your SAP applications. Microsoft offers SAP-certified VMs optimized for different workload types, such as SAP HANA, SAP NetWeaver, and SAP Business One.

For example, you can create an Azure VM for an SAP HANA deployment using Azure CLI:

az vm create \
--resource-group \
--name \
--image sap-hana-2-0-v1:latest \
--size Standard_E8s_v3 \
--admin-username \
--admin-password


High Availability

Azure provides various features to ensure high availability for your SAP workloads. Availability Sets can be used to distribute VMs across multiple fault and update domains, minimizing downtime during hardware or Azure infrastructure maintenance events.

Additionally, Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets enable automatic scaling of VMs based on demand. This ensures your SAP applications can handle increased workload during peak times without any service interruptions.

Here’s an example of creating an Availability Set for your SAP VMs:

az vm availability-set create \
--name \
--resource-group \
--platform-fault-domain-count 2 \
--platform-update-domain-count 5


Storage Options

Azure offers a range of storage options suitable for SAP workloads. Azure Managed Disks provide reliable and scalable storage for VMs, ensuring data persistence. You can choose between Standard HDD, Standard SSD, and Premium SSD storage based on your performance requirements.

Azure NetApp Files can be used for high-performance SAP HANA storage scenarios. It provides low-latency and high-throughput file storage with built-in data protection features. You can create Azure NetApp Files using the Azure portal or Azure CLI.

az netappfiles account create \
--resource-group \
--name \
--location
az netappfiles pool create \
--resource-group \
--account-name \
--pool-name \
--location \
--size 4 \
--service-level premium


Networking and Security

Azure Virtual Network (VNet) allows you to securely connect your SAP workloads with on-premises networks or other Azure virtual networks. You can configure network security groups (NSGs) and Azure Firewall to control inbound and outbound traffic for your SAP applications.

Azure ExpressRoute provides a dedicated and private connection between your on-premises environment and Azure data centers. This ensures secure and reliable connectivity for your mission-critical SAP workloads.

Monitoring and Management

Azure Monitor allows you to gain insights into the performance and health of your SAP applications. You can monitor metrics, set up alerts, and perform deep diagnostics to troubleshoot issues.

Azure Automation can be used to automate common management tasks such as VM provisioning, backup, and patching. You can define runbooks using PowerShell or Azure CLI to streamline your SAP workload management processes.

Support Services

Microsoft offers comprehensive support services specifically designed for SAP workloads in Azure. Azure support plans provide access to technical support, best practices, and guidance from experts. You can choose from different support tiers based on your business requirements.

Additionally, Microsoft has a partnership with SAP to deliver joint support for customers running SAP solutions on Azure. This ensures that you receive unified support from both Microsoft and SAP, minimizing complexities and ensuring seamless operations.

In conclusion, Azure offers robust support options for running SAP workloads, including a wide range of VM sizes, high availability features, storage options, networking and security capabilities, monitoring tools, and comprehensive support services. By leveraging these resources, you can confidently deploy and manage your SAP applications on Azure.