Equinix has signed a deal with Microsoft to serve Windows Azure in key markets globally through Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers.

Windows Azure is Microsoft’s cloud platform to build, deploy and manage applications.
Equinix customers will be able to connect their owned and managed infrastructure directly to Windows Azure via Platform Equinix, establishing a private network connection.

Connecting to Windows Azure through Platform Equinix allows enterprises to bridge their cloud and data center strategies allowing full integration between cloud services and internal applications, and flexible and dynamic bandwidth through automated network provisioning, the colocation giant said.

A direct connection to Windows Azure will be available in multiple Equinix IBX data centers across the US in the first half of 2014. More details on locations will be shared when the solution becomes available. Equinix and Microsoft will be onboarding a small number of customers for early trials by the end of 2013.

Equinix data centers are an interconnection point for companies to gain direct and secure access to public and private cloud services. Once connected within an Equinix global data center, these businesses have the broadest selection of high-performance cloud services to create the architecture that best fits their objectives. Equinix offers direct access to a robust and dynamic cloud ecosystem for the rapid integration of services, technologies and customer opportunities, including more than 450 cloud, 950 networks and 600 IT service providers.

Satya Nadella, executive vice president of Cloud and Enterprise for Microsoft: "Microsoft is committed to helping enterprises succeed as they move toward the cloud. Windows Azure provides customers with a variety of ways to connect in a manner that is private, fast and secure. The relationship with Equinix gives customers yet another seamless way to extend their on-premises network to Windows Azure by strategically using Equinix's global data center footprint where businesses are already connecting to the cloud."

Chris Sharp, general manager, Cloud, Equinix, said: "Equinix's neutral data center environment offers security, performance and a globally consistent experience for enterprises that are moving into the cloud. Through our relationship with Microsoft we can provide customers with direct connectivity to Windows Azure, opening up new opportunities in hybrid cloud computing."
Last month Microsoft announced a deal with AT&T to allow customer access to Azure across private networks.