Deploy a NetScaler VPX instance on Azure Local
NetScaler VPX™ supports deployment on Azure Local (Azure Stack hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI)) versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2. You can deploy NetScaler VPX instances on standalone Azure Local hosts or set them up as a high-availability (HA) pair in Azure Local instances (formerly Azure Stack HCI clusters). Azure Local is a hybrid cloud platform that lets organizations run Azure services in their own data centers. Deploying NetScaler VPX on Azure Local provides advanced load balancing, application delivery, and security features on-premises, while ensuring seamless integration with Azure cloud services. This solution is beneficial for businesses that require low latency, data sovereignty, or regulatory compliance, as NetScaler can optimize and secure applications locally with the benefits of the Azure ecosystem.
Prerequisites to deploy a NetScaler VPX instance on Azure Local
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Ensure that you have access to a dedicated Azure Local node and that Windows Admin Center is installed and properly connected to this node.
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Download the NetScaler virtual hard disk (VHD) image from the official Citrix website or your licensed source. Make sure that the image is compatible with your environment.
How to deploy a NetScaler VPX instance on Azure Local using VHD from Windows Admin Center
To deploy a NetScaler VPX instance on Azure Local using VHD from Windows Admin Center, follow these steps:
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Upload the NetScaler VHD file to your Azure Stack HCI node using Windows Admin Center.
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Create a new virtual machine (VM) in Windows Admin Center, configuring VM settings such as name, Generation 1, CPU, memory, virtual switch, and selecting the uploaded VHD.
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Start the newly created NetScaler VM and monitor its boot status.
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Access the NetScaler instance console using Hyper-V Manager, log in, and assign the IP address.
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Connect to the NetScaler VPX instance remotely using SSH for further setup and management.
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Validate deployment by checking connectivity to the NetScaler management interface and completing the required configuration.
Step 1. Upload the NetScaler VHD file to your Azure Local machine using Windows Admin Center.
- Open Windows Admin Center and connect to your Azure Local machine.
- Navigate to Tools > Files and file sharing.
- Browse to the desired volume and navigate to the specific folder where you want to upload the VHD file.
- Click Upload and choose the VHD file from your computer.
- Wait for the upload process to complete. Once finished, verify that the VHD file appears in the selected folder.
Step 2. Create a new virtual machine and configure VM settings.
- In Windows Admin Center, go to Virtual machines.
- Click Add, then select New.
- Enter a name for the VM and select Generation 1.
- Configure virtual processors (CPU), memory, and virtual switch to meet NetScaler requirements and your deployment needs.
- In the Storage settings, select Use an existing virtual hard disk and choose the uploaded VHD image.
- Complete creating the VM.
Step 3. Start the NetScaler VM.
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After you finish configuring, start the NetScaler virtual machine you created in the previous step.
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Monitor the VM status in Windows Admin Center to ensure it boots successfully.
Step 4. Configure network and set up remote access using Hyper-V manager.
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After the NetScaler instance boots, open the console in Hyper-V Manager.
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Log in to NetScaler from the Hyper-V console on the Azure Local node.
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Assign and save the IP address.
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Use SSH to connect to NetScaler remotely for other setup and management.
Step 5. Validate the NetScaler VPX deployment.
- Log in to the NetScaler GUI or CLI using the configured IP address and continue with the NetScaler VPX configuration
- Verify that the NetScaler configuration is complete and the VPX instance is functioning as expected.
Support matrix
When deploying NetScaler VPX on Azure Local, make sure that your NetScaler VPX version is compatible with the supported Azure Local version.
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Supported NetScaler VPX versions: 13.1-61.x and later, and 14.1-60.x and later
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Supported Azure Local OS builds: 25398.1965, 26100.7171, and 20349.3692
For more information on Azure Local release versions, see the Microsoft documentation.