Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud computing platforms globally,
providing a wide range of services that allow organizations to build, deploy, and
manage applications and infrastructure. As with other cloud platforms, Azure
offers compute, storage, networking, databases, and a wide variety of other
services. This section explores the foundational elements of Microsoft Azure,
including key services and their use cases, along with an overview of the Azure
ecosystem.
1. Introduction to Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure provided by
Microsoft, which offers a wide array of services for building, deploying, and
managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
Azure supports a variety of programming languages, frameworks, operating
systems, databases, and devices, making it a highly versatile platform for
enterprises and developers.
Key Features of Azure:
o Scalability: Azure enables businesses to scale applications up or
down according to demand.
o Security: Azure adheres to high security standards, offering tools like
Azure Active Directory (AD) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
o Global Reach: Azure provides data centers in regions worldwide,
ensuring high availability and performance for users in various
geographic locations.
o Hybrid Cloud: Azure enables hybrid cloud environments, allowing
businesses to integrate on-premises systems with cloud resources.
o Cost-Efficiency: Azure’s pay-as-you-go model helps businesses
optimize costs based on usage.
, 2. Core Azure Services
Azure offers a broad set of services across compute, storage, databases,
networking, security, and more. Here, we’ll focus on some of the most commonly
used core services.
a) Azure Compute Services: Virtual Machines and App Services
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs): Azure VMs are scalable computing
resources that can run various operating systems such as Windows Server,
Linux, and others. VMs are a fundamental building block in cloud
computing, offering flexibility for developers and IT professionals to deploy
and manage applications.
o Key Features:
Customizable VMs for different workloads.
Flexible pricing options with pay-as-you-go, reserved instances,
and spot pricing.
Integration with Azure networking, storage, and security
features.
o Use Cases:
Hosting websites and applications.
Running enterprise-level applications (e.g., ERP systems).
Development and testing environments for software
applications.
Azure App Services: Azure App Services is a fully managed platform for
building and hosting web apps, APIs, and mobile backends. Developers can
use App Services to deploy applications without worrying about
infrastructure management.
o Key Features:
Supports multiple programming languages (e.g., .NET, Node.js,
PHP, Python).
Auto-scaling and load balancing.
Built-in CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous
Deployment) capabilities.
o Use Cases:
Web app hosting.
API management and deployment.
Mobile backend services.
Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud computing platforms globally,
providing a wide range of services that allow organizations to build, deploy, and
manage applications and infrastructure. As with other cloud platforms, Azure
offers compute, storage, networking, databases, and a wide variety of other
services. This section explores the foundational elements of Microsoft Azure,
including key services and their use cases, along with an overview of the Azure
ecosystem.
1. Introduction to Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure provided by
Microsoft, which offers a wide array of services for building, deploying, and
managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
Azure supports a variety of programming languages, frameworks, operating
systems, databases, and devices, making it a highly versatile platform for
enterprises and developers.
Key Features of Azure:
o Scalability: Azure enables businesses to scale applications up or
down according to demand.
o Security: Azure adheres to high security standards, offering tools like
Azure Active Directory (AD) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
o Global Reach: Azure provides data centers in regions worldwide,
ensuring high availability and performance for users in various
geographic locations.
o Hybrid Cloud: Azure enables hybrid cloud environments, allowing
businesses to integrate on-premises systems with cloud resources.
o Cost-Efficiency: Azure’s pay-as-you-go model helps businesses
optimize costs based on usage.
, 2. Core Azure Services
Azure offers a broad set of services across compute, storage, databases,
networking, security, and more. Here, we’ll focus on some of the most commonly
used core services.
a) Azure Compute Services: Virtual Machines and App Services
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs): Azure VMs are scalable computing
resources that can run various operating systems such as Windows Server,
Linux, and others. VMs are a fundamental building block in cloud
computing, offering flexibility for developers and IT professionals to deploy
and manage applications.
o Key Features:
Customizable VMs for different workloads.
Flexible pricing options with pay-as-you-go, reserved instances,
and spot pricing.
Integration with Azure networking, storage, and security
features.
o Use Cases:
Hosting websites and applications.
Running enterprise-level applications (e.g., ERP systems).
Development and testing environments for software
applications.
Azure App Services: Azure App Services is a fully managed platform for
building and hosting web apps, APIs, and mobile backends. Developers can
use App Services to deploy applications without worrying about
infrastructure management.
o Key Features:
Supports multiple programming languages (e.g., .NET, Node.js,
PHP, Python).
Auto-scaling and load balancing.
Built-in CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous
Deployment) capabilities.
o Use Cases:
Web app hosting.
API management and deployment.
Mobile backend services.
