Note
Access to this page requires authorization. You can try signing in or changing directories.
Access to this page requires authorization. You can try changing directories.
Small form factor deployments let you run Azure Local on compact, Linux-based hardware designed for edge and distributed environments. Edge and IoT solutions often span thousands of geographically distributed devices. These environments can have limited connectivity, varied hardware, and complex lifecycle management requirements. Small form factor deployments help address these challenges by providing a consistent, Azure-managed platform for running applications at the edge.
Important
This feature is currently in PREVIEW. See the Supplemental Terms of Use for Microsoft Azure Previews for legal terms that apply to Azure features that are in beta, preview, or otherwise not yet released into general availability.
About small form factor deployments
With small form factor deployments, you can:
- Deploy and manage edge infrastructure through Azure with a cloud-like experience.
- Run containerized workloads by using Docker, which is included in the base image.
- Run Kubernetes workloads by using the open-source K3s distribution.
- Support AI and IoT workloads on distributed devices.
- Standardize infrastructure across geographically distributed edge environments.
Small form factor deployments are optimized for single-node and small-scale scenarios. They work well for retail locations, manufacturing sites, and other edge environments where traditional datacenter hardware isn't practical.
Benefits
Small form factor deployments help you:
- Use a right-sized infrastructure footprint in environments with limited space, power, or cooling.
- Deploy on validated devices that are tested for compatibility and reliability.
- Reduce operational overhead by standardizing infrastructure across large device fleets.
- Better handle edge-specific challenges such as intermittent connectivity, limited bandwidth, and longer update cycles.
Features
The following table describes the key features of small form factor deployments.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) | Deploy consistent software across large fleets of devices by using a secure, FDO-compliant supply chain. |
| Arc gateway URL management | Provide cloud-native applications with a predictable set of URLs by using a built-in HTTP tunnel to Azure. |
| Secure, signed OS kernel | Run a host operating system built with signed Microsoft packages and security updates. |
| Docker included in the base image | Start running containerized workloads without installing a separate container runtime. |
| Open-source K3s support | Install and run a lightweight, upstream Kubernetes distribution on a provisioned device. |
| Validated IoT applications | Run Azure IoT Operations and Foundry Local with configurations validated by Microsoft for each release. |
Supported devices
Azure Local small form factor deployments are validated on the following devices:
Important
Use one of the supported devices listed here. Other hardware might work, but validation, documentation, and troubleshooting guidance for the preview apply only to these devices.