Windows Azure PowerShell Module Tutorial and Guide

Author

Reads 747

Computer server in data center room
Credit: pexels.com, Computer server in data center room

The Windows Azure PowerShell module is a powerful tool for managing and automating Azure resources. It's a must-have for anyone working with Azure, and it's free to download and use.

To get started with the Windows Azure PowerShell module, you'll need to install it on your computer. This can be done by running the command "Install-Module -Name AzureRM" in the PowerShell console.

The module is designed to work seamlessly with Azure, allowing you to create, update, and delete resources with ease. It's also highly customizable, making it a great choice for DevOps teams and developers.

With the Windows Azure PowerShell module, you can manage a wide range of Azure resources, including virtual machines, storage accounts, and networking resources.

Getting Started

To get started with the Windows Azure PowerShell module, you'll want to update your PowerShell 5.1 on Windows if needed. If you're on Windows 10, you already have PowerShell 5.1 installed.

You'll also need to install .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later. This ensures you have the necessary components to run the Azure PowerShell module smoothly.

Credit: youtube.com, Getting Started with Azure PowerShell

To check if you have the latest version of PowerShellGet, run the following cmdlets from an elevated prompt: [Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12, powershell -noprofile, $PSVersionTable, Uninstall-Module PowershellGet -AllVersions -Force -Confirm:$false, Get-module PowershellGet, Find-module PowershellGet, and Install-Module PowershellGet -MinimumVersion 2.2.3 -Force.

Here are some specific steps to follow:

  • Update to Windows PowerShell 5.1 if needed.
  • Install .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later.
  • Run the cmdlets to check and update PowerShellGet.

Quickstarts and Tutorials

To get started with Azure, I recommend checking out the quickstarts and tutorials. These guided tutorials will help you get hands-on experience with Azure PowerShell.

You can create virtual machines with Azure PowerShell, which is a great way to start building your skills. I've seen many beginners start with this tutorial and end up creating their own virtual machines in no time.

Here are some of the other tutorials you can explore:

  • Create a storage account
  • Transfer objects to/from Azure Blob storage
  • Create and retrieve secrets from Azure Key Vault
  • Create an Azure SQL database and firewall
  • Run a container in Azure Container Instances
  • Create a Virtual Machine Scale Set
  • Create a standard load balancer

These tutorials are designed to help you learn by doing, so you can expect to be working on real-world projects in no time.

Prerequisites for

Before you start using Azure PowerShell, you need to verify your prerequisites. Az modules are supported on Azure Stack Hub with Update 2002 or later and with the current hotfixes installed.

Computer server in data center room
Credit: pexels.com, Computer server in data center room

To use Azure PowerShell in PowerShell 5.1 on Windows, you'll need to update to Windows PowerShell 5.1 if needed. If you're on Windows 10, you already have PowerShell 5.1 installed.

You'll also need to install .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later. This will ensure that your Azure PowerShell experience is smooth and efficient.

To check your PowerShell version, run the command: [code to be inserted]. This will give you a quick rundown of your current PowerShell version.

To install the latest version of PowerShell Core, you should check the release notes for more information. Azure PowerShell has no other requirements when run on PowerShell Core.

Here is a list of the required versions for Windows:

To ensure you have the latest version of PowerShellGet, run the following cmdlets from an elevated prompt: [Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12, powershell -noprofile, $PSVersionTable, Uninstall-Module PowershellGet -AllVersions -Force -Confirm:$false, Get-module PowershellGet, Find-module PowershellGet, and Install-Module PowershellGet -MinimumVersion 2.2.3 -Force.

The Az Module

Credit: youtube.com, How to install Azure Powershell (Az Module) in Windows | Easy way to install Az Module

The Az PowerShell module is the recommended module for managing Azure resources with PowerShell, and it's cross-platform, meaning it works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

It includes thousands of commands that control almost every aspect of Azure, and it's compatible with PowerShell 7 or higher, as well as Windows PowerShell 5.1.

You can use the Az PowerShell module in a few different ways, including Azure Cloud Shell, which is a browser-based shell that lets you run Azure PowerShell commands without installing anything on your local machine.

Here are the options for using the Az PowerShell module:

  • Azure Cloud Shell: A browser-based shell that allows you to run Azure PowerShell commands without installing anything on your local machine.
  • Local installation: To run commands directly from your terminal, install Azure PowerShell on your local machine.
  • Docker container: Run Azure PowerShell in a Docker container.

Find Commands

To find commands in the Az module, you can use the Get-Command cmdlet. This cmdlet lists all available commands in the current session.

The Az module follows the standard PowerShell naming convention of Verb-Noun. The verb describes the action, while the noun represents the resource type.

For instance, to list all commands related to virtual machines, you can use the Get-Command cmdlet with the AzVM noun prefix.

Here's a quick reference table of common resources and their associated modules:

The Az

Credit: youtube.com, Get Started with Azure PowerShell Az Module Basics

The Az module is the recommended PowerShell module for managing Azure resources on all platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. It's a cross-platform solution that includes thousands of commands to control almost every aspect of Azure.

The current version of the Az module is compatible with PowerShell 7 or higher, and also works with Windows PowerShell 5.1. This makes it a great option for users who want to take advantage of the latest features and capabilities of Azure.

You can use the Az module in several ways, including Azure Cloud Shell, local installation, and Docker container. Azure Cloud Shell is a browser-based shell that allows you to run Azure PowerShell commands without installing anything on your local machine.

Here are the different options for using the Az module:

  • Azure Cloud Shell: A browser-based shell that allows you to run Azure PowerShell commands without installing anything on your local machine.
  • Local installation: To run commands directly from your terminal, install Azure PowerShell on your local machine.
  • Docker container: Run Azure PowerShell in a Docker container.

The Az module is a wrapper module for Azure service-related PowerShell modules, such as Az.Network and Az.Aks. It makes REST calls to the Azure Resource Manager API, and breaking changes are limited to twice a year.

The cmdlets in the Az module allow you to perform both control plane and data plane operations in Azure. Control plane operations manage resources in your subscription, while data plane operations control capabilities exposed by your instance of a resource type.

Output Objects

Credit: youtube.com, MicroNugget: How to Use Objects as Output in PowerShell

The cmdlets in the Az PowerShell module produce .NET objects. These objects can be piped to the Get-Member cmdlet to determine the type of object produced, as well as a list of available properties and methods.

The Get-Member cmdlet is a powerful tool for understanding the output of cmdlets. It's a great way to see what you're working with.

To use the Get-Member cmdlet, simply pipe the output of the cmdlet to it. For example, you can pipe the output of an Az cmdlet to Get-Member to see the properties and methods of the resulting object.

This can be a huge time-saver, especially when working with complex cmdlets that produce a lot of output. By understanding what you're working with, you can write more efficient and effective scripts.

Jeannie Larson

Senior Assigning Editor

Jeannie Larson is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, she has curated articles on a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. Jeannie's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that resonate with diverse audiences.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.