Digital Realty Expands Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Access with New Cloud On-Ramps

Digital Realty Expands Azure Connectivity

Digital Realty has recently announced the deployment of three additional Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute peering locations in Atlanta, Brussels, and Vienna. This expansion allows customers to establish a dedicated connection from their private IT infrastructure to Microsoft Azure services. With this addition, Digital Realty now offers a total of 15 Azure ExpressRoute cloud on-ramps globally, enhancing its already extensive network of data centers.

Significance of the Expansion

This latest development builds upon the strengthened partnership between Digital Realty and Microsoft, which already includes a cloud on-ramp in Dallas and the introduction of new Azure services in Amsterdam and Zurich. Each of these Azure ExpressRoute locations provides a high-speed, secure link to Microsoft's Azure resources, significantly improving latency and reliability for businesses utilizing cloud services.

The Azure ExpressRoute is designed specifically for customers seeking a dedicated and private connection, avoiding the potential bottlenecks and latency issues associated with traditional internet connections. As companies continue to embrace hybrid IT solutions that blend their private infrastructure with cloud services, such secure connections become crucial.

Meeting the Demand for Cloud Connectivity

Chris Sharp, the Chief Technology Officer of Digital Realty, expressed the importance of these new locations, saying, "We are pleased that Microsoft has selected PlatformDIGITAL® as the physical location for their Azure ExpressRoute cloud on-ramps in another three fast-growing markets." The presence of these cloud on-ramps positions Digital Realty as an essential hub for businesses looking to optimize their hybrid IT architectures, specifically in relation to advancing technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

The direct connection enables enterprises to capitalize on low-latency options that are essential for deploying complex applications, such as those integrated with Microsoft's AI technologies, including Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Customer Benefits

Customers based in the new locations can now interconnect directly to Azure services via Digital Realty's ServiceFabric® platform, which streamlines the orchestration of services across a wide network. This specific capability allows businesses to benefit from Azure services worldwide, enhancing their operational efficiency and flexibility.

The expansion marks a significant milestone not only for Digital Realty but for the general enterprise environment, as businesses increasingly require seamless connectivity for digital transformations. Jon Ormond, Principal PDM Manager at Microsoft Azure, remarked, "Our collaboration with Digital Realty allows us to provide our customers with the enterprise-grade, predictable global connectivity they need to architect and deploy their hybrid solutions with a globally consistent experience."

Conclusion

With the rapid advancement of cloud technologies and the growing emphasis on digital transformation, Digital Realty’s initiatives underscore an ongoing commitment to providing top-tier infrastructure solutions. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of IT integration, having reliable, dedicated cloud connections like Azure ExpressRoute will be pivotal in driving future growth and innovation in enterprise IT solutions.

For more information regarding Digital Realty's Azure ExpressRoute offerings and data center locations, visit their website or follow them on social media. This expansion is a clear testament to the escalating demand for high-performance cloud interconnections in today's digital economy.