Managing Azure Resources

Understanding Microsoft Azure

Kevin James

Technical Lead and Training Architect

Azure Resource Manager (ARM)

• Deploys and manages Azure resources
• Acts like a pilot for navigating Azure resources

Azure Resource Manager (ARM)

• Deploys and manages Azure resource
• Acts like a pilot for navigating Azure resources
• Centralized management layer in Azure
• Enables template-driven deployments for consistency
• Allows resource organization using tags

Management tools

• Azure Resource Manager is the central management tool
• Other useful services include:
  • Azure Monitor
  • Azure Automation
  • Azure Policy
  • Azure Advisor
  • Azure Blueprints

Azure Monitor

• Offers full-stack monitoring
• Provides real-time insights into resource performance
  • e.g., virtual machines, containers, databases, networks
• Includes advanced analytics for performance, security, and cost
• Features an integrated alert system for issue detection

Azure Automation

• Streamlines workflows and minimizes repetitive tasks
• Based on PowerShell for easy integration
• Enables runbook creation for routine task automation
• Supports configuration management and updating management shared capabilities

Azure Advisor

• Personalized cloud consultant
• Provides best practice recommendations
  • Helps you optimize Azure resources
• Aims to improve performance, increase security, and enhance reliability

Azure Policy

• Upholds organizational standards and compliance
• Example - US banks must deploy resources in US Azure regions

Azure Policy

• Upholds organizational standards and compliance
• Example - US banks must deploy resources in US Azure regions
• Integrates with deployment criteria and corporate guidelines
• Automates policy enforcement to reduce errors
• Offers compliance framework and auditing tools for updates and alignment

Azure Blueprints

• Ensures uniform deployment of Azure resources
  • Offers templates like the GDPR blueprint for compliance
• Acts as architectural templates for best practice adherence

Azure Blueprints

• Ensures uniform deployment of Azure resources
  • Offers templates like the GDPR blueprint for compliance
• Acts as architectural templates for best practice adherence
• Avoids inconsistencies in manual resource setup
• Aligns deployments with organizational standards

Key Takeaways

• Ensures security, performance, and compliance in the cloud
• Maintains well-managed environments to mitigate risks
• Offers tools like:
  • Azure Resource Manager
  • Monitor
  • Automation
• Allows customization with services like Azure Policy and Blueprints

Let's practice!

Understanding Microsoft Azure