ODIN for Azure Local

Version 0.18.04 - Available here: https://aka.ms/ODIN-for-AzureLocal

A comprehensive web-based wizard to help design and configure Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI) architectures. This tool guides users through deployment scenarios, network topology decisions, security configuration, and generates a cluster design document and an ARM parameter file that can be used for automated deployments. The Sizer Tool can be used to provide example cluster hardware configurations, based on your workload scenarios and capacity requirements, and it includes a 3D visualization of the hardware.

Disclaimer: This tool is provided as-is without Microsoft support. This is an experimental project to help customers accelerate their skills ramp up for Azure Local, while helping IT architects to validate desired configurations.

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Table of Contents

• Features
• Getting Started
• Prerequisites
• Usage Guide
• Configuration Options
• Export Formats
• Browser Compatibility
• Troubleshooting
• Report an Issue and Contributing
• License
• Appendix A - Version History

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Features

✨ Core Functionality

• Step-by-Step Designer Wizard: Guided decision flow for Azure Local instance configuration, including network configuration, outbound endpoints, security and storage deployment options
• Multiple Deployment Scenarios: Hyperconverged, Multi-Rack, Disconnected, and M365 Local
• Hardware Sizer: Workload-based hardware sizing for VMs, AKS, and AVD — calculates CPU, memory, storage, GPU, and node requirements with auto-scaling and power/rack-space estimates, and a 3D visualization of hardware in a 42U rack
• Sizer-to-Designer Integration: Size your hardware first, then transfer the configuration directly into the Designer wizard with one click
• Designer-to-Sizer Integration: Design your cluster first, then transfer deployment type and node count to the Sizer to add workloads
• Cloud Witness Configuration: Automatic witness type selection based on cluster topology
• Storage Pool Management: Configure storage pool deployment mode (Express, InfraOnly, KeepStorage)
• Security Configuration: Configure security controls with recommended or customized settings
• Auto-Scroll Navigation: Optional automatic scrolling to next step with 1-second delay (toggle on/off)
• Intelligent Validation: Real-time input validation with helpful error messages
• Visual Feedback: Architecture diagrams and network topology visualizations
• ARM Parameters Generation: Export Azure Resource Manager parameters JSON

🎉 Version 0.18.04 - Latest Release

• Azure Local - 3D Rack Visualization: Interactive 3D preview of the estimated rack layout using Three.js (MIT) — renders 42U open-frame server cabinets with detailed 2U server nodes (disk bays with pull handles, status LEDs, Azure logo, dual PSUs, network ports, BMC port, ventilation grille) and 1U ToR switches (48-port ethernet in two rows, QSFP uplinks, fan vents)
• Rack-Aware Support: Rack-aware deployments render two side-by-side cabinets with balanced node distribution, blue core switch/router above racks
• Network Topology: Rack-aware view includes management/compute uplink cables (blue) from each ToR to the core router, SMB storage trunk cables (pink) between cross-rack ToR pairs, and LAG inter-switch links (orange) between paired ToRs in each rack
• Dynamic Updates: Rack visualization updates in real-time as sizer inputs change (node count, cluster type, disk configuration)
• Interactive Controls: Left-click and hold to rotate, scroll to zoom, right-click and hold to move up and down; touch-friendly
• Azure Branding: Microsoft Azure logo overlay and Azure "A" logo on each server node front panel

Full Version History: See Appendix A - Version History for complete release notes.

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Getting Started

Quick Start

1. Open the ODIN designer wizard:

   • Open in a modern web browser, navigate to ODIN online version: https://aka.ms/ODIN-for-AzureLocal
   • For offline or local access, download the source code of this repo, to run a local web server: PowerShell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -file .\tests\serve.ps1 (then open address http://localhost:5500 using browser)

2. Unsure about hardware? Start with the Sizer:

   • Open the ODIN Sizer from the main page or navigate to sizer/index.html
   • Add your workloads (VMs, AKS, AVD) and configure cluster type, resiliency, and growth headroom
   • Review the recommended hardware (CPU, memory, storage, GPUs, power, and rack space)
   • Click Configure in Designer to transfer the sizing results into the Designer wizard automatically

3. Follow the wizard:

   • Answer questions about your deployment scenario
   • Configure network settings, storage, and identity options
   • Review the configuration summary in real-time

4. Export your configuration:

   • Generate ARM parameters JSON
   • Export full configuration for sharing or backup
   • Download configuration reports

Prerequisites Checklist

If you want to deploy Azure Local on physical hardware, before starting, ensure you have:

Hardware

• ✅ Azure Local certified hardware (check Microsoft Hardware Catalog)
• ✅ Minimum 1 node (up to 16 for single-site clusters)
• ✅ RDMA-capable network adapters for storage, for multi-node clusters.
• ✅ Compatible Top of Rack (ToR) switches with latest firmware installed.

Network

• ✅ Outbound internet connectivity or configured proxy
• ✅ Available IP address ranges for infrastructure and management
• ✅ DNS servers configured and reachable
• ✅ VLAN support (if using tagged VLANs)
• ✅ Network Time Protocol (NTP) configured

Azure

• ✅ Active Azure subscription with appropriate permissions
• ✅ Azure Arc resource provider registered
• ✅ Sufficient quota for Azure Local resources
• ✅ Resource group created in target region

Identity & Access

• ✅ Active Directory domain or Local Identity setup
• ✅ Domain credentials with appropriate permissions
• ✅ Managed Identity is required / created for Azure integration

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Usage Guide

Navigation

The wizard follows a sequential flow:

1. Deployment Scenario - Select your architecture type
2. Azure Cloud - Choose Azure environment (Public, Government, China)
3. Azure Local Instance Region - Select deployment region
4. Scale - Choose single-site or rack-aware
5. Nodes - Specify number of cluster nodes
6. Network Configuration - Configure ports, storage, and traffic intents
7. Connectivity - Set up outbound connectivity and Arc Gateway
8. IP Assignment - Configure static or DHCP
9. Infrastructure Network - Define management network and IP pools
10. Identity - Configure Active Directory or Local Identity
11. SDN Options (Optional) - Enable software-defined networking features

Key Actions

Auto-Save & Resume

• Progress is automatically saved to browser localStorage
• Return anytime and see a "Resume Session" prompt
• Choose to continue or start fresh

Export Configuration

• Click Export button in the summary panel (right side)
• Saves complete state as timestamped JSON file
• Share with team members or backup for later

Import Configuration

• Click Import button in the summary panel (right side)
• Select previously exported JSON file
• Review changes and confirm import

CIDR Calculator

• Click Subnet Calculator button next to the Infrastructure Network CIDR input
• Enter IP/CIDR notation (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24)
• See network details, usable host range, and subnet info

Templates

• Click Load Example Configuration Template in the summary panel (right side)
• Browse pre-built deployment configurations for common scenarios
• Load a template to pre-populate the wizard with recommended settings

Onboarding Walkthrough

• Automatically shown on first visit (can be reset by clearing browser localStorage)
• Step-by-step overlay highlighting key wizard features
• Helps new users understand the workflow quickly

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Configuration Options

Deployment Scenarios

| Scenario | Description | Use Case | |----------|-------------|----------| | Hyperconverged | Single rack or rack-aware cluster with compute, storage, and network | Most common, balanced workloads. One to sixteen nodes in scale. | | Multi-Rack | Scalable, multi-rack distributed architecture | High availability, large scale | | Disconnected | Air-gapped operation with local management | Isolated / security-sensitive environments | | M365 Local | Microsoft 365 workloads with minimum 9 nodes | M365 on-premises deployments |

Network Intents

| Intent | Description | Adapters | |--------|-------------|----------| | Compute + Management | Shared network for VMs and management | 2 adapters (redundant) | | Compute + Storage | Combined compute and storage traffic | 4+ adapters | | All Traffic | Single intent for all network types | 2 adapters | | Custom | User-defined adapter mapping | Flexible |

Storage Connectivity

| Type | Description | Requirements | |------|-------------|--------------| | Switched | Traditional ToR switch-based | ToR switches, suitable for any scale | | Switchless | Direct node-to-node connections | 2-4 nodes, no storage switches |

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Export Formats

ARM Parameters JSON

• Azure Resource Manager template parameters
• Ready for deployment with Azure CLI or Portal
• Includes placeholders for values not collected by wizard
• Copy to Clipboard: Available on ARM parameters page

Configuration JSON

• Complete wizard state export
• Versio