Microsoft is unveiling transformative advancements across its comprehensive cloud and artificial intelligence ecosystem at the recent Ignite event.
Microsoft’s AI advancements are fueled by a robust infrastructure. Built to meet the exacting standards of the world’s most demanding organizations, this system was meticulously customized from the ground up. As generative AI revolutionizes business models, we’ve been pioneers in this space for over a decade, building robust infrastructure, refining techniques, and redefining our approach from software to silicon chip. Our end-to-end optimization enables organizations to seamlessly integrate AI-driven solutions that transform their operations and industries.
Across industries, from agile startups to multinational corporations, Microsoft’s infrastructure empowers businesses with unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, allowing them to drive innovation. At Microsoft Ignite, we’re unveiling pivotal enhancements across our comprehensive cloud and artificial intelligence ecosystem, encompassing advancements in microprocessor technology and liquid cooling systems, as well as innovative data integration capabilities and more agile cloud deployment options.
Discovering the latest silicon advancements integrated seamlessly throughout the Azure ecosystem.
As part of our techniques-driven approach to optimizing every level of our infrastructure, we seamlessly blend the most effective industry practices with innovative thinking rooted in our unique perspectives. Microsoft is expanding its customized silicon portfolio by adding Azure Maia AI accelerators and Azure Cobalt central processing models (CPUs) to further enhance the efficiency and security of our infrastructure. The company’s cutting-edge (hardware) safety module, a dedicated (hardware) component that robustly secures critical control over cryptographic keys within the constraints of an HSM, ensuring seamless performance without latency. Starting next year, Microsoft’s datacenters may integrate Azure Built-in Hardware Security Module (HSM) into each new server, bolstering security across Azure’s hardware fleet for both confidential and general-purpose workloads.
We’re launching the X1, our innovative first-generation in-house DPU, specifically engineered for data-intensive workloads that demand exceptional efficiency and power conservation. This groundbreaking device seamlessly integrates multiple components of a traditional server into a single, dedicated piece of silicon. We anticipate that servers equipped with future DPU technology will facilitate cloud storage operations while consuming three times less energy and achieving fourfold greater efficiency compared to existing servers, thereby enabling a substantial reduction in carbon footprint and operational costs.
As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, we’re actively developing advanced cooling solutions for GPUs and AI accelerators, incorporating cutting-edge AI techniques backed by collaborations with esteemed industry leaders, as well as internal expertise. The unit may potentially be retrofitted into Azure datacentres to assist with the cooling of large-scale AI applications, comparable to those from NVIDIA and their GB200 infrastructure for AI systems.
By streamlining our cooling solutions, we are also enhancing the efficiency of energy distribution to meet the rapidly changing demands of AI and hyperscale technologies. We’ve recently partnered with Meta to launch a pioneering initiative designed to boost the agility and elasticity of our infrastructure, as we seamlessly integrate AI capabilities within our existing data center ecosystem. Disaggregated energy racks will feature 400-volt DC power, supporting up to a 35 percent increase in AI accelerators per server rack and allowing for dynamic power adjustments to accommodate diverse AI workload demands. To facilitate innovation and collaboration within the industry, we are releasing our proprietary cooling and energy rack specifications through the Open Compute Project.
Azure’s AI infrastructure leverages cutting-edge innovations in hardware and silicon to power some of the most groundbreaking AI breakthroughs on the planet, encompassing pioneering frontier models and massive-scale generative inference capabilities. In October, we unveiled the highly anticipated launch of our ND H200 V5 Digital Machine (VM) series, leveraging the cutting-edge NVIDIA H200 GPUs and their significantly boosted memory bandwidth capabilities. Azure’s consistent software optimisation across virtual machines enables the continuous delivery of technological advancements and efficiencies. Compared to the industry average, the efficiency enhancement rate for NVIDIA’s H100 and H200 GPUs was roughly twice as high.
Microsoft is thrilled to introduce its collaboration with NVIDIA, migrating the popular Blackwell platform to the cloud for seamless accessibility and scalability. We are now disseminating these techniques online through a preview, simultaneously validating and optimizing them alongside NVIDIA and other leading AI authorities. With a potential game-changer in AI-optimized Digital Machines, this innovative collection harmoniously unites NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL 72 rack-scale design with cutting-edge Quantum InfiniBand networking capabilities to seamlessly connect hundreds of Blackwell GPUs, thereby enabling AI supercomputing at scale.
As part of this ongoing effort, we are excited to share our latest advancements in CPU-based supercomputing, the Digital Machine. Powered by customized AMD EPYCTM The Azure-exclusive 9V64H processors deliver unparalleled performance in high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, boasting speeds up to eight times faster than the latest bare-metal and cloud alternatives, with some tasks completing as much as 35 times quicker compared to on-premises servers at the end of their lifespan. The efficiency enhancements are enabled by 7 TB/s of memory bandwidth from high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and the most scalable AMD EPYC server platform available to date. Starting in 2025, prospects are invited to participate in a preview of our next-generation HBv5 digital machines.
Unlocking AI Potential through Cloud-Driven Transformation
To maximize the potential of AI, companies must integrate data from various business applications. By migrating and modernizing these purposes to the cloud, organizations can seamlessly integrate disparate systems, thereby paving the way for accelerated innovation, while simultaneously realizing improved efficiency and scalability. When opting for Azure, you’re selecting a platform that inherently supports all your organization’s critical needs and enables seamless integration with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). The organization’s IT infrastructure comprises expertise in various domains, including SAP, VMware, Oracle, open-source software, and Linux.
As thousands of businesses leverage their SAP ERP systems on Azure, we’re delivering cutting-edge innovations that transform the way they operate. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, and Procter & Gamble have successfully migrated their high-priority SAP applications to Azure, enabling them to drive innovation more rapidly. We’ve been focused on supporting customers worldwide through geographic expansion, driven by the introduction of Azure VMware Solution. Azure VMware Solution is now available in 33 regions, offering support for VMware environments.
We are continuously enhancing our capabilities to more effectively support the mission-critical Oracle workloads of our corporate clients. Prospects such as The Craneware Group and Vodafone have leveraged Oracle Database on Azure to capitalize on its unparalleled efficiency and low latency, enabling them to streamline operations and gain access to advanced security, data governance, and AI capabilities within the Microsoft Cloud. Today, we’re announcing that Microsoft Purview empowers Oracle Database on Azure with comprehensive data governance and compliance capabilities, allowing organizations to manage, secure, and monitor data across Oracle workloads.
Oracle and Microsoft are set to collaborate, providing Oracle Exadata Database Service on Exascale infrastructure within Oracle Database@Azure, enabling hyper-elastic scaling and pay-per-use economics. Furthermore, we’ve successfully scaled up our Oracle Database on Azure offering to a total of nine regions, while also augmenting our Microsoft Materials integration with the addition of Open Mirroring capabilities.
Embracing simplicity, migrate and modernize your purposes to the cloud – start now. Easily gauge your utility’s readiness for Azure using this intuitive feature. The innovative approach provides comprehensive technical and strategic insights enabling seamless migration of entire utilities, inclusive of all interdependent components.
What drives successful digital transformation? The answer lies in harnessing the power of a scalable, agile, and secure cloud infrastructure that adapts to the ever-changing needs of your business. By migrating to a cloud-based system, you can break free from the limitations of traditional IT models and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Azure’s multicloud and hybrid strategy seamlessly integrates disparate groups, geographically dispersed regions, and diverse technologies into a unified framework for streamlined operations, robust security, and enhanced purposeful data management. This allows organisations to capitalise on cloud-native and artificial intelligence technologies to operate seamlessly across hybrid, multi-cloud, edge, and Internet of Things (IoT) landscapes. Streamlines a vital function for this strategy by expanding Azure capabilities to any infrastructure, empowering organizations to manage their workloads seamlessly across diverse environments. With over 39,000 customers spanning various industries, including La Liga, Coles, and the World Bank, Azure Arc is a testament to its scalability and reliability.
We’re thrilled to unveil a cutting-edge, cloud-enabled, hybrid infrastructure solution, offering fully provisioned and expertly managed services within the trusted Microsoft Azure ecosystem. Azure Native converges all Azure Stack functionalities onto a single, streamlined platform. Powered by Azure Arc, Azure Native enables the deployment of containers, servers, and Azure Digital Desktop on Microsoft-validated hardware from leading vendors such as Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and more. This breakthrough enables highly tailored latency management, near-real-time data processing, and seamless compliance with regulatory requirements. Azure Native features bolstered default security configurations designed to safeguard your data, along with flexible configuration options, including GPU-enabled servers ideal for AI-powered inferencing applications.
Recently, we unveiled the full rollout of our innovative technology, featuring streamlined enhancements, elevated security, and intelligent capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Microsoft is previewing a hotpatching subscription option for Windows Server 2025, enabled by Azure Arc, which will allow organisations to install updates with minimal restarts – a substantial time-saving innovation.
We’re also highlighting a preview of our enterprise AI-ready database platform, which utilizes Azure Arc to bring cloud-like flexibility anywhere.
The latest model builds upon its reputation for outstanding safety and efficiency, now featuring integrated AI capabilities that streamline the development and application of Augmented Technology (RAG) patterns through intuitive and secure vector assistance. Azure Arc enables SQL Server 2022 to deliver cloud-enabling capabilities, empowering users to efficiently manage, secure, and govern vast amounts of SQL data across on-premises and cloud environments with ease and scalability.
Realize Cloud and AI Success by Leveraging Azure Infrastructure
Fostering profitable transformations with AI starts by establishing a robust, secure, and adaptable infrastructure foundation. As you grow, you need a cloud platform that flexibly adjusts to your evolving demands. Azure is a platform that provides the optimal environment for integrating your applications and data, allowing you to start innovating with artificial intelligence (AI). As you design, deploy, and manage your environments and workloads on Azure, you may gain access to best-practice resources that can help accelerate your AI adoption and achieve your business objectives?
Experience the future of artificial intelligence with us at Microsoft Ignite.
Key classes at Microsoft Ignite
Microsoft Ignite, a premier event for IT professionals and business leaders, is just around the corner. As you prepare to dive into cutting-edge technology and learn from industry experts, here are some key announcements to keep an eye out for:
• **Azure Sentinel’s expanded analytics**: Take advantage of improved AI-driven threat hunting capabilities within Azure Sentinel, empowering your organization to stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
• **Microsoft 365’s enhanced security features**: Discover the latest innovations in Microsoft 365, including advanced threat protection and better detection and response tools to safeguard your organization from ever-evolving cyber attacks.
• **Power Apps’ streamlined development**: Experience the simplified process for building custom apps using Power Apps, allowing you to create powerful, data-driven applications quickly and efficiently.
• **Microsoft Graph’s expanded capabilities**: Unlock new opportunities with Microsoft Graph, now offering enhanced APIs for data-driven insights and personalized experiences across various Microsoft 365 services.
