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Windows Azure Feature Compatibility with Microsoft HPC Pack

Updated: May 22, 2013

Applies To: Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2, Microsoft HPC Pack 2012, Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

The following table lists the Windows Azure features that can be used in Windows Azure burst deployments with HPC Pack. Certain features and services are compatible with only certain versions of HPC Pack, and some require additional configuration in the Windows Azure subscription or the Windows Azure node template that is used for the deployment. For more information about configuring a Windows Azure node template to use these features, see Configuring a Windows Azure Node Template for Microsoft HPC Pack.

For general requirements to add Windows Azure nodes to a Windows HPC cluster, see Requirements to Add Windows Azure Nodes with Microsoft HPC Pack.

Note
In some cases, Windows Azure features or services that are in preview or beta can be configured in a Windows Azure node template, if your subscription and your version of HPC Pack enable them. Before you use a preview or beta feature, review the terms of use. We recommend that you only use preview or beta features in test or proof-of-concept deployments of Windows Azure nodes, not in production deployments. Certain versions of HPC Pack may include settings to configure Windows Azure features that are now deprecated or retired, and which therefore should not be used in Windows Azure burst deployments. For more information, see Deprecated or retired features in this topic.

Note

In some cases, Windows Azure features or services that are in preview or beta can be configured in a Windows Azure node template, if your subscription and your version of HPC Pack enable them. Before you use a preview or beta feature, review the terms of use. We recommend that you only use preview or beta features in test or proof-of-concept deployments of Windows Azure nodes, not in production deployments.
Certain versions of HPC Pack may include settings to configure Windows Azure features that are now deprecated or retired, and which therefore should not be used in Windows Azure burst deployments. For more information, see Deprecated or retired features in this topic.

Feature

Description

Minimum version of Microsoft HPC Pack

Additional requirements

Worker role nodes

Run a Windows Azure guest operating system that is substantially similar to Windows Server
Are automatically deployed with HPC Pack components
Can use Windows Azure virtual machines of various sizes
Optionally mount an application VHD file (a Windows Azure drive)

HPC Pack 2008 R2 with SP1

Note
Running message-passing interface (MPI) jobs on worker role nodes requires at least HPC Pack 2008 R2 with SP2 Mounting an application VHD requires at least HPC Pack 2012

For information about the guest operating systems that can run on Windows Azure nodes, see Configure the Windows Azure Node Role in a Node Template.
To mount an application VHD, a compatible VHD must be created and uploaded as a page blob to the Windows Azure storage account for the deployment. For more information, see Mount an Application VHD on Windows Azure Worker Nodes.

Windows Azure Virtual Network

Enables secure site-to-site network connectivity between Windows Azure and the on-premises network – for example, to connect to an on-premises license server

HPC Pack 2012

A Windows Azure virtual network must be configured in the subscription. To enable connectivity to an on-premises network, use a supported VPN gateway device, configure a gateway subnet, and specify a local network to connect to. For more information, see Understanding Windows Azure Virtual Network for Windows Azure Node Deployments with Microsoft HPC Pack.

Remote Desktop Connection

Allows remote connections to Windows Azure nodes

HPC Pack 2008 R2 with SP2

To configure the credentials, see Configure Remote Desktop Credentials to Connect to Windows Azure Nodes.

Windows Azure startup script

Runs a script, such as a batch file, that configures a set of Windows Azure nodes when they are started (provisioned)

HPC Pack 2008 R2 with SP2

A startup script must be created, packaged, and uploaded to the Windows Azure storage account for the deployment. For more information, see Use a Startup Script for Windows Azure Nodes.

Deprecated or retired features

The following Windows Azure features are being retired and their use in Windows Azure node deployments with HPC Pack is deprecated. After retirement, these features will no longer be available for use in Windows Azure node deployments with versions of HPC Pack that provide related settings.

VM Role (beta) Retirement date: May 15, 2013
Windows Azure Connect (CTP) Retirement date: July 2, 2013

Note
The node template settings to enable Windows Azure Connect in deployments of Windows Azure nodes are removed as of HPC Pack 2012.

Windows Azure Feature Compatibility with Microsoft HPC Pack

See Also

Concepts

Other Resources