Import cloud service provider data for Microsoft Azure virtual machines

FlexNet Manager Suite version 2019 R1

A new Microsoft Azure inventory connector partially automates the process of gathering Microsoft Azure virtual machine inventory data, managed by Azure Resource Manager.

Microsoft Azure virtual machine inventory must still be collected using the FlexNet inventory agent (recommended) or third party inventory tools. Supplementary information is retrieved by calling Azure PowerShell modules, and then mapped to inventory devices using the universal unique identifier (UUID) of the virtual machine (also known as the Azure VM Unique ID or vmId). The imported properties of matched inventory devices are then displayed on the Cloud hosting tab of the inventory device properties page.

All data imported using the new Microsoft Azure adapter is displayed on the Cloud Service Provider Inventory page. From here you can find any gaps between the cloud inventory and inventory collected by FlexNet inventory agent or third party inventory tools. For example, if someone stands up a VM in the cloud without an installed FlexNet inventory agent, the missing inventory is highlighted on this page.

As of FlexNet Manager Suite 2018 R2, cloud instance properties are available in business import, inventory spreadsheet upload, and in custom reports, and can be used with data related to Microsoft Azure VMs.

Tip: If you are using the Microsoft Azure adapter, matching inventory can be collected with FlexNet inventory agent release 2018 R1 (13.0.0) or later. The 2019 R1 version of FlexNet inventory agent(13.2.0) has been further enhanced to collect the full set of Microsoft Azure VM data, and this version does not require use of the Microsoft Azure adapter to provide complete inventory. (However, the Microsoft Azure adapter is still required to identify inventory gaps in the Cloud Service Provider Inventory page.) It is best practice to deploy the current version of FlexNet inventory agent whenever possible.

After June 30, 2019, Microsoft is retiring the APIs for its classic deployment model. The Microsoft Azure inventory connector does not collect virtual machine inventory for virtual machines managed by this model. The latest FlexNet inventory agent may be installed on these virtual machines to collect inventory, but because of the classic deployment model, it cannot differentiate between Azure in the cloud and Azure on-premises. For these VMs, we recommend you use an alternative such as the inventory spreadsheet upload, or simply modify records manually, to correct any missing information.