Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and service provided by Microsoft. It offers a wide range of services, including computing, analytics, storage, and networking, to help businesses build, manage, and deploy applications at scale.

Azure provides services in several categories, including:

• Compute: Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Storage: Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake.
• Databases: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB.
• Networking: Virtual Networks, Azure CDN, VPN Gateway.
• AI and Machine Learning: Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services.
• DevOps: Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions integration.

• Scalability and flexibility.
• Global data centers for low-latency access.
• Integration with Microsoft services like Office 365 and Dynamics 365.
• Pay-as-you-go pricing model.
• Advanced security features and compliance certifications.

Azure operates on a pay-as-you-go model, where you pay only for the resources and services you use. Azure also offers pricing tiers, including reserved instances for discounted long-term use.

Yes, Azure offers a free tier that includes:

• 12 months of free services like Virtual Machines and Storage.
• Always free services like Azure Functions and Logic Apps (limited usage).
• $200 credit for 30 days for new users to explore any service.

Azure provides tools like the Azure Cost Management and Billing portal, where you can track spending, set budgets, and analyze resource usage.

Azure supports multiple languages, including .NET, Java, Python, PHP, Node.js, Ruby, and Go. Developers can use any language supported by their chosen Azure service.

Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is a management layer in Azure that allows you to deploy, manage, and organize resources in your Azure account through templates, scripting, or the Azure portal.

Azure uses advanced security features, such as:

• Encryption at rest and in transit.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM).
• Network Security Groups (NSGs).
• Compliance with certifications like ISO, GDPR, HIPAA, and more.

You can deploy applications to Azure using various methods, including:

• Azure Portal.
• Command-line tools like Azure CLI or PowerShell.
• CI/CD pipelines through Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions.
• Direct integration with Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code.

Yes, Azure provides tools like Azure Migrate and services such as Azure Site Recovery to help migrate on-premises applications, virtual machines, and databases to the cloud.

Azure offers multiple support options:

• Free basic support for all users.
• Paid support plans, including Developer, Standard, and Professional Direct tiers.
• Community forums and Microsoft Learn resources.

Azure provides tools like:

• Azure Monitor for metrics and diagnostics.
• Azure Service Health for tracking service outages and planned maintenance.
• Application Insights for performance monitoring.

Entra ID, formerly known as Azure Active Directory (AAD), is a cloud-based identity and access management service. It helps organizations manage user authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and secure access to applications and resources.

Both Azure and AWS are leading cloud providers. Key differences include:

• Azure integrates better with Microsoft products.
• AWS has more mature offerings in some areas, such as compute.
• Pricing and regional availability vary between the two platforms.

Yes, Azure offers hybrid solutions like Azure Arc, Azure Stack, and seamless integration with on-premises environments to enable hybrid cloud scenarios.