Azure HDv2 virtual machines enter preview for AI data processing and HPC
⏳ Microsoft opened preview access requests for Azure HDv2 virtual machines, designed for AI data preparation, compute-intensive HPC and agentic workloads.
The announced design combines sixth-generation AMD EPYC processors with more than 500 physical cores, 3.8 TB of memory, local NVMe storage and 400 Gb Azure Boost networking.
Customers can request access to evaluate their workloads. Microsoft labels its performance measurements preliminary and subject to change.
Availability through Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Databricks, CycleCloud and partner platforms is described as a plan for general availability, with availability varying by service; the announcement does not establish those integrations as live today.
Partner briefing
- What it is
Azure HDv2 VM preview registration is open.
- What’s changing
The preview introduces a high-core-count AMD EPYC platform for data processing, HPC and agentic task throughput.
- Why it matters
Workload evaluation is available by access request; performance figures are preliminary and broader service availability is planned for GA.
- Who it affects
Customers and partners developing AI data-processing, compute-intensive HPC and agentic workloads.