Azure App Services

Getting Started with Azure App Services

Azure App Services is a fully managed platform that enables you to build, deploy, and scale web apps, mobile back ends, and other APIs. You can use it for applications written in your favorite language or framework, including .NET, .NET Core, Java, Ruby, Node.js, PHP, and Python.

Key Features

• Automated Deployments: Integrate with GitHub, Bitbucket, Azure Repos, and more for continuous deployment.
• Scalability: Easily scale your applications up or out based on demand.
• Global Reach: Deploy your applications to data centers around the world.
• Managed Infrastructure: Focus on your code, not on managing servers.
• Custom Domains & SSL: Secure your applications with custom domains and SSL certificates.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create an Azure Account

   If you don't have one, sign up for a free Azure account. This gives you access to a variety of Azure services, including App Services.

   Sign Up for Free Azure Account

2. Create an App Service Plan

   An App Service plan defines a set of computing resources for your web app to run. You'll need to choose a pricing tier and region.

   Steps:

   • Navigate to the Azure portal.
   • Click Create a resource.
   • Search for "App Service plan" and select it.
   • Click Create.
   • Fill in the required details: Subscription, Resource group, Name, Region, Operating System, and Pricing tier.

3. Create a Web App

   Once you have an App Service plan, you can create a web app within it.

   Steps:

   • In the Azure portal, click Create a resource.
   • Search for "Web App" and select it.
   • Click Create.
   • Select your Subscription and Resource group.
   • Enter a unique name for your web app.
   • Choose the Runtime stack (e.g., Node 18 LTS, .NET 6).
   • Select the Operating System.
   • Choose the Region.
   • Select the previously created App Service plan.
   • Click Review + create, then Create.

4. Deploy Your Application

   You can deploy your code from various sources:

   • Local Git: Push your code directly from a local Git repository.
   • GitHub/Bitbucket/Azure Repos: Set up continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD).
   • FTP/FTPS: Upload files directly.
   • Zip Deploy: Deploy a zip file containing your application.

   To set up deployment from GitHub, navigate to your Web App in the Azure portal, go to Deployment Center, and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Configure and Monitor

   After deployment, you can configure settings like connection strings, environment variables, and scale your app. Monitor performance, logs, and diagnostic information through the Azure portal.

Next Steps

• Explore Deployment Slots for staging and production environments.
• Learn about scaling strategies to handle traffic fluctuations.
• Configure custom domains and SSL certificates.
• Set up monitoring and diagnostics.