Microsoft Azure from Zero to Hero - The Complete Guide

Microsoft Azure is a robust and versatile cloud platform that offers a wide range of services to support the needs of businesses of all sizes. With Azure, you can create, deploy, and manage applications and services through a global network of data centers.

Azure was first launched in 2009, and since then it has become one of the leading cloud platforms in the world. In 2020, Azure was estimated to have over 500,000 customers and 5 million developers using its services.

Microsoft Azure provides a vast array of services, including computing, storage, networking, and artificial intelligence. These services can be used to build and deploy a wide range of applications, from simple websites to complex enterprise systems.

To get started with Microsoft Azure, you'll first need to create an account. This can be done by simply signing up on the Azure website. You can explore different regions and availability zones in Azure to find the best fit for your needs.

Azure offers three main models: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service, PaaS is Platform as a Service, and SaaS is Software as a Service. Each model has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it's essential to understand the differences before making a decision.

If you're new to Azure DevOps or looking to enhance your current practices, start with the Azure DevOps - Basics article and work your way through the series. This will give you a solid foundation in Azure DevOps and help you implement DevOps best practices in your projects.

By the end of this journey, you'll have built a solid foundation in Azure DevOps, allowing you to implement DevOps best practices in your projects, boost team collaboration, and automate your entire software development lifecycle.

Here's a quick overview of what you can expect from the Azure DevOps series:

Cloud computing is a model that allows you to access and use computing resources over the internet. This means you can use computing power, storage, and applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.

The cloud can be public, private, or hybrid. Public cloud services are provided by third-party providers, such as Microsoft Azure, and are shared among multiple customers. Private cloud services are dedicated to a single organization and are typically hosted on-premises. Hybrid cloud services combine public and private clouds.

To understand cloud concepts, it's essential to know the vocabulary. Cloud computing, cloud storage, and cloud services are terms you'll hear often.

Here are the main types of Azure Storage Services:

These services are designed to help you store and manage your data in the cloud.

Resources and Resource Groups are fundamental concepts in Azure.

Resources in Azure are the building blocks of your cloud infrastructure, including virtual machines, storage accounts, and databases.

You can organize these resources into logical groups called Resource Groups.

Resource Groups help you manage and track related resources together, making it easier to monitor and control your Azure resources.

Azure Resource Manager is the service that allows you to manage and deploy resources in Azure.

Here's a quick rundown of the key points to keep in mind:

Virtual Machines are a fundamental component of Microsoft Azure, and understanding how to work with them is crucial for any Azure user.

To create a Virtual Machine in Azure, you'll first need to create it, which can be done through the Azure portal.

A Virtual Machine in Azure is essentially a virtual computer that you can use to run your applications.

You can connect to a Virtual Machine in Azure using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or SSH, depending on the operating system you've chosen.

To deploy your first application on an Azure VM, you'll need to install the necessary software and configure it according to your needs.

Virtual Machine ScaleSets in Azure allow for autoscaling, which can be a huge time-saver and cost-effective in the long run.

Here's a quick rundown of the key concepts to keep in mind when working with Virtual Machines in Azure:

Networking is a crucial aspect of Microsoft Azure, and it's essential to understand the various services available. Azure App Gateway & WAF is a key component of Azure's networking services.

Azure Load Balancer helps distribute traffic across multiple VMs, ensuring high availability and scalability. Azure DNS provides a global DNS service for your Azure resources. Azure Firewall is a network virtual appliance that filters traffic based on security rules.

Here are some key networking services in Azure:

Advanced Networking Services are a crucial part of Azure, and we've covered a lot of ground on this topic.

Azure App Gateway & WAF is a powerful tool that helps protect your web applications from threats. It's like having a security guard for your online presence.

Azure Load Balancer is another essential service that distributes network traffic across multiple servers for high availability and scalability. This is especially useful for large-scale applications that require consistent performance.

Azure DNS is a managed DNS service that provides a simple and cost-effective way to manage your domain names. It's a must-have for any serious online business.

Azure Firewall is a network security service that helps protect your virtual network from unauthorized access. It's like having a firewall for your cloud-based infrastructure.

Virtual Network Peering and VNet Gateway enable you to connect your virtual networks across different regions and on-premises networks. This allows for seamless communication between different parts of your network.

VPN Gateway provides secure and encrypted connections between your on-premises network and Azure. It's a vital service for organizations that need to connect their remote workers to the office network.

Here's a quick rundown of the Advanced Networking Services we've covered so far:

You can deploy an application behind a firewall on Azure, as demonstrated in Project 1.

Setting up the networking is a crucial step in this process.

To deploy the application on Azure VMs with networking and use a bastion, you can follow the practical hands-on video.

The setup involves configuring the networking and deploying the application on Azure VMs.

A bastion is used for secure access to the Azure VMs.

Here are the key steps involved in deploying an application behind a firewall on Azure:

Troubleshooting is an essential part of the deployment process.

Self-hosted agents on VMSS can be a powerful tool for automating tasks and workflows.

You can set up a self-hosted agent using VMSS, which allows you to create and manage multiple virtual machines in a single resource.

A Virtual Machine Scale Set (VMSS) is a resource that allows you to create and manage multiple virtual machines in a single resource.

To set up a self-hosted agent using VMSS, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Create a VMSS in Azure

2. Configure the VMSS to use your preferred operating system

3. Install the self-hosted agent on the VMSS

Here's a brief overview of the process:

Once you've set up the self-hosted agent on VMSS, you can register it on an agent pool. This will allow you to use the agent in your pipelines and workflows.