Azure Fundamentals
Welcome to the Azure Fundamentals documentation. This section covers the core concepts and services that form the foundation of Microsoft Azure. Understanding these building blocks is crucial for effectively leveraging the power of the cloud.
What is Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure managed by Microsoft. It offers a wide range of services, including computing, analytics, storage, and networking, to help organizations build, deploy, and manage applications and services through a global network of data centers.
Key Azure Concepts
Regions and Availability Zones
Azure operates across multiple geographic locations called Regions. Each region consists of one or more data centers. To ensure high availability and fault tolerance, Azure also offers Availability Zones within some regions. These are physically separate locations within a region that provide redundancy and protection against data center failures.
Resource Groups
A Resource Group is a logical container in Azure that holds related resources for an Azure solution. Resources can include virtual machines, storage accounts, virtual networks, and more. Managing resources in groups simplifies deployment, monitoring, and access control.
# Example: Creating a Resource Group using Azure CLI
az group create --name MyResourceGroup --location eastus
Azure Services
Azure provides a vast array of services categorized into several broad areas:
- Compute: Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Functions, Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Storage: Blob Storage, File Storage, Disk Storage, Queue Storage, Table Storage
- Networking: Virtual Networks, Load Balancers, VPN Gateway, DNS
- Databases: Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL/MariaDB
- AI + Machine Learning: Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services
- IoT: IoT Hub, IoT Central
- Management & Governance: Azure Monitor, Azure Policy, Azure Cost Management
Core Azure Services Explained
Virtual Machines (VMs)
Azure Virtual Machines provide on-demand, scalable computing resources. You can deploy Windows and Linux VMs to run your applications. They offer flexibility and control similar to on-premises servers but with the benefits of cloud scalability and reliability.
Azure Storage
Azure Storage is a modern cloud storage platform that handles large amounts of data. Key services include:
- Blob Storage: For storing unstructured data like text or binary data (images, videos, documents).
- File Storage: For fully managed cloud file shares accessible via SMB and NFS protocols.
- Disk Storage: For managed disks attached to Azure Virtual Machines.
Virtual Networks (VNet)
Azure Virtual Network enables you to create a private network in the cloud. You can define your own IP address space, create subnets, and configure route tables, network gateways, and more to create a secure and isolated environment for your cloud resources.
Benefits of Azure
- Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down based on demand.
- Global Reach: Deploy applications close to your users worldwide.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Pay only for what you use, with options for reserved instances.
- Security: Robust security features and compliance certifications.
- Hybrid Capabilities: Seamless integration with on-premises environments.
This overview provides a starting point for understanding Azure. Explore the other sections of our documentation for deeper dives into specific services and functionalities.