Azure Arc: Windows Admin Center unavailable.

IngramQuick-5843 10

I am hoping to get some better clarification concerning the following comment regarding the Azure Arc and Windows Admin Center.

What does the following actually mean: "Microsoft requires devices to be in good working order to obtain a Pay-as-you-go license"

Original Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2117527/windows-admin-center-unavailable-even-with-benefit?page=1&orderby=Helpful&comment=answer-1874924#newest-answer-comment

I have both a Partner's and a Pay as You Go Subscription, yet I am not able to enable Windows Admin Cetner for premise-based systems (configured as per: Azure Arc Agent Prerequisites: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-arc/servers/prerequisites) even though according to several Microsoft Documents specifically this one https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-arc/core-control-plane/#pricing states that this service is part of the Azure Arc - core control plane as is free.

User's image

Basically, I was under the impression that the primary purpose of Azure Arc was to enable businesses to leverage Azure management capabilities outside of Azure such premise-based and AWS Services. Is this no longer the case? If what is the go forwarded solution for businesses that have such systems in place (please provide detail links)?

Pranay Reddy Madireddy 780 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-20T21:40:01.8866667+00:00

Hi IngramQuick-5843

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform! Thank you for asking your question here.

1.Microsoft documentation states that core control plane services like Inventory, manage (including WAC), and Automate are free. This means you can use Windows Admin Center to manage your on-premises servers through Azure Arc at no extra cost.

2.The statement "Microsoft requires devices to be in good working order to obtain a Pay-as-you-go license" means the devices need to be properly set up, connected, and meet certain requirements to be managed with Azure Arc.

3.Make sure your Pay-as-you-go subscription is active and properly configured.

4.Check that the required resource providers are registered in your Azure subscription.

5.Check that all requirements for the Azure Arc agent are met, including:
Network configurations.
Correct installation of the Azure Connected Machine agent.

6.Check the health of the Azure Arc agent on your servers to ensure it is running without any errors. Review the agent status and logs for any issues.

7.In the Azure portal, go to the Azure Arc service and check that your servers are listed and marked as connected. Make sure the WAC extension is enabled for your Azure Arc-enabled servers.

For reference, please review this documentation: -

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-arc/core-control-plane/#pricing

Manage Azure Arc-enabled Servers using Windows Admin Center in Azure | Microsoft Learn

Windows Admin Center overview | Microsoft Learn

If you have any further queries, do let us know.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and "Upvote it".
IngramQuick-5843 10 Reputation points

2024-11-21T00:00:10.3533333+00:00

Pranay -

Thanks for the response; however, I would like to clarify a few things.

Point 1 - I have a valid license, yet I am asked to confirm that I have an active SA agreement.

Point 2 - I am able to on-board my system(s) into Azure the issue is not being able to leverage Azure Windows Admin Center.

Point 3 - I assume that you are talking about my Azure Subscription, if so, it is.

Point 4 - Again, not to be contrary - I do have Azure Arc enables servers in my Azure Subscription.

Point 5 - See Point 4.

Point 6 - No unresolved issues listed.

Point 7 - I have confirmed that my servers are listed and connected.

Again - I need conformation that SA is now required.
Pranay Reddy Madireddy 780 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-22T21:06:43.7833333+00:00

Hi IngramQuick-5843

You said your Azure subscription is active, which is good because it means you should have access to Azure Windows Admin Center, as long as all other requirements are met.

It's important that your Azure Arc-enabled servers are in your subscription. Make sure they’re set up and connected to Azure correctly, or you might have trouble using Windows Admin Center.

To fix the warning about missing permissions, make sure the Managed Identity of your Azure Arc-enabled servers has the correct roles, like Storage Blob Data Contributor, if you're managing storage with Windows Admin Center.

Your confirmation that servers are listed and connected indicates that they are recognized by Azure, which is a positive sign

If you have any further queries, do let us know.

thanks,
Pranay Reddy
IngramQuick-5843 10 Reputation points

2024-11-24T04:54:28.3766667+00:00

Pranay Madireddy -

I have made some progress - and I believe that the issue is around the Server License type(s) supported by Azure Arc. Can you please provide me a list of the Windows Server License types supported. As a test I checked the Azure Benefits box and the option to set up Windows Admin Center is enabled. I attempted to configure Windows Admin Center support but still was not able to get this working. Currently I have uninstalled the extension and will try again on Sunday - and provide an update.

1 answer

Jones, Keith (NBCC) 1 Reputation point

2024-11-20T18:07:37.5533333+00:00

Following this. We are having the exact same issue, only we have Software Assurance. In October, we were able to enable Windows Admin Center on our hybrid systems in Arc, November that changed. I saw one post about some license change by MS requiring Pay as You Go or Software Assurance. We are in good standing, I have reached out to our licensing vendor with no luck.
Please sign in to rate this answer.
IngramQuick-5843 10 Reputation points

2024-11-20T22:05:59.7666667+00:00

Keith -

Thanks for the additional information - I am continuing to chase this down and get better clarification. The frustrating part is that I see a "Note" within a Microsoft LEARN article indicating the need of a SA to utilize Azure Arc Windows Admin Center - though I have found several Microsoft guides / articles that state the service is free. I am continuing to chase this down and will update when I get a definitive answer. Finally, I realize that Microsoft can change the rules - what is challenging is that Azure Arc being discussed at Ignite (I attended virtually) and still no clear direction as to how existing premises-based systems can be integrated into Azure Arc.
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.

Share via

Azure Arc: Windows Admin Center unavailable.

1 answer

Your answer