Possible to add more available Azure regions?

[TrondHaugmo]

According to the official Microsoft Azure Regions list there are now a few more available Azure regions:

• France South (mentioned also in another reported "issue")
• Germany Central
• Germany Northeast
• Australia Central
• Australia Central 2
• China North
• China North 2
• China East
• China East 2

Will these also be added to AzureSpeedTest2? Would be useful... I have used the website to determine what are likely the "closest" Azure regions for many of our offices around the world, and the additional available regions are most likely relevant for us. Not sure how much effort it is, and if the fact that a region is considered "available" by Microsoft is enough to enable it for your web servicer, but as I've been using the web service today and missed those sites I thought I should put in a request (issue).

[richorama]

Hi @TrondHaugmo, thanks for raising this issue.

The effort for adding new regions is relatively low. It requires a storage account to be set up in that location, and a small file to be added to the root container.

The problem is that I don't have access to any of the regions in your list.

The China regions (I believe) required state approval from the Chinese government before you can access them.

Many of the other regions are specifically for government.

If you're able to access any of these locations, or know how, then we could add them to the list.

Thanks,

Richard.

[TrondHaugmo]

Hello @richorama, and thanks for your update. Sorry about the delay in response from my side.

I have done a bit more research on the subject. There is some form of restriction on all the available Azure regions currently missing in the AzureSpeedTest2 setup, but not necessarily because they are restricted for government use only. Not that it matters that much I guess, but thought I could give a small update anyway.

In order to deploy resources in the four Chinese Azure regions, you need to have a separate Azure China account. To get that you need to have a business presence in China. The two regions already present in Germany (Germany Central, Germany Northeast) also requires a separate Azure Germany account. To get that you must be a customer operating in the EU/EFTA area. The solution in Azure Germany is designed specifically to accommodate the strictest EU data protection regulations and is under control of German Data Trustee. Only customers with a presence in France Central are allowed to deploy resources in France South to support "in-country" disaster recovery.

The two additional Australia Azure regions (Australia Central, Australia Central 2) are restricted to only Australian and New Zealand government organizations and partners.

The following article was used to gather the information above.

My company has a business presence in both China and EU (including within France) already, so we could probably get storage accounts created in most of the regions (apart from the ones in Australia reserved for government organizations), but we currently do not have separate accounts in Azure China and Azure Germany. That may become a reality later (as we are looking into it), but for now it seems like there is nothing I can do either. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond to my initial inquiry.

Best regards,
<< Trond >>

[richorama]

Hi Trond,

Thanks for your detailed research and write up!

If at some point you do have access to one of data centres not currently supported by AzureSpeedTest2, it would be very much appreciated if you were able to host the small blob file that the test relies on. I haven't got a cost for the hosting, but I expect it's fairly near zero.

I would of course recognise your support on the page. (i.e. https://github.com/richorama/AzureSpeedTest2/blob/master/index.jsx#L115-L116 )

Many thanks,

Richard.

[richorama]

Adding the two Africa locations to the list :¬/

[quintusm]

HI
I would be willing to host the required files for the South Africa data centers for some time, indefinitely if the costs turn out reasonably. Chat to me...

[richorama]

Hi @quintusm, thank you for your offer of help! I have been able to add South Africa North to my list, the DC appeared in my list in the portal.

I don't have access to South Africa West, are you able to help there at all?

[quintusm]

HI @richorama

Nope, its not showing in my list as yet either, even though I am in South Africa and expected that I would. Looks as though its maybe not fully available yet.....

Thanks for providing this service btw, very useful and interesting.

[quintusm]

HI @richorama

Found the following info on https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/global-infrastructure/geographies/
So in short South Africa West is only available if you use South Africa North and need in-country disaster recovery products and you need to contact Azure Support to activate

Available to | South Africa North: All
South Africa West: Reserved for South Africa North customers requiring in-country disaster recovery

[saenf]

Hi @richorama
Could you maybe also add the location "Brazil South" to this really helpful tool?
I think this location is available for all azure-user.
Many thanks

[richorama]

@saenf Brazil south is already added, but I get some reliability problems with it sometimes. I’ll investigate.

[Tevion]

The special German regions will be discontinued.

[Fingerz]

Hi, the following two regions are available as of today:
UAE North
UAE Central

[ingd]

@saenf Brazil south is already added, but I get some reliability problems with it sometimes. I’ll investigate.

Hello @richorama
There is some new about Brazil South? The tool isn't showing the region yet.

[richorama]

@Fingerz I'd love to add the UAE DCs on the list, but I don't see them in my Azure portal. If anyone does have access, and is able to help out, it would be much appreciated..