Updated: June 18, 2023 (June 18, 2023)

Azure is Microsoft’s Focus for Server Management Services

Jim leads the Directions on Microsoft editorial team and has been writing about technology since the early 1990s. Most recently... more

Server management, even for on-premises, will increasingly require Azure services in the future.
Azure Arc promises a single toolset for Azure cloud resources and on-premises servers, but it does not yet offer complete server management.
Microsoft-hosted management services change technology and pricing frequently, making long-term planning difficult.
Customers with stable on-premises Windows Server installations may want long-term servicing versions of System Center for the foreseeable future.

Although the System Center data-center management suite continues to be supported and new versions are released for compatibility with new OS versions, Microsoft is investing more in Azure services to provide system management capabilities for Windows Server and Linux VMs and hosts.

Azure-Based Server Management

Microsoft offers several stand-alone hosted Azure services that can provide many of the features offered by System Center as well as additional capabilities. (For a summary of System Center components and functions, see the sidebar “System Center Overview.”) The services discussed in this report include:

Atlas Members have full access

Get access to this and thousands of other unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides, and more, all included with membership. Comprehensive access to the most in-depth and unbiased expertise for Microsoft enterprise decision-making is waiting.

Membership Options

Already have an account? Login Now