5 Essential Skills for Microsoft Azure Beginners

Tiago Costa / / Azure, Certification

If you’re new to Azure, diving into the world of cloud computing can feel overwhelming. Microsoft Azure is a powerful platform offering a broad range of services, and getting familiar with the fundamentals is critical.

Here are the top five skills every beginner should focus on to build a strong Azure foundation:

1. Cloud Computing Basics

Before diving into Azure specifics, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of cloud computing. This includes grasping the core concepts of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Knowing how these models differ will help you choose the right services and solutions as you start to work with Azure.

Tip: Explore Azure’s free learning modules on Microsoft Learn to build a foundational understanding of cloud principles. This Learning Path is a great way to get started: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe cloud concepts – Training | Microsoft Learn

2. Azure Resource Management

Effective resource management is critical in Azure. This includes knowing how to create and manage virtual machines, storage accounts, and networking components. Start by learning to use the Azure portal, Azure CLI, and PowerShell to deploy and manage resources. Also, understanding Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates (Json and Bicep) can be highly valuable for automating deployments.

Tip: Practice setting up resources in the Azure portal and then move to ARM templates or CLI commands for a more flexible, repeatable setup.

3. Networking Basics

Networking forms the backbone of cloud infrastructure, so basic networking knowledge is essential. In Azure, this means understanding virtual networks (VNets), subnets, and the importance of network security groups (NSGs). Familiarize yourself with concepts like VPNs, IP addressing, Peering, and load balancing as they apply to Azure.

Tip: Use the Azure portal’s built-in labs to create and configure your VNets and play around with NSG rules to control traffic flow.

4. Security Fundamentals

Security is critical in any cloud environment, and Azure provides several tools and best practices for protecting your applications and data. Begin by understanding Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Azure AD), Azure’s identity and access management service. Explore role-based access control (RBAC) to manage who has access to Azure resources and become familiar with basic security settings like firewalls, encryption, and managed identities.

Tip: Review Microsoft Defender to see security recommendations and use them to monitor and improve your security posture as you build.

5. Cost Management and Budgeting

Managing costs is often overlooked by beginners, but understanding Azure’s pricing and billing structure is crucial. Get familiar with the Azure Pricing Calculator and Azure Cost Management + Billing. These tools allow you to estimate and monitor costs, helping you avoid unexpected bills. Knowing how to set up budgets and alerts will ensure you stay within your budget as you explore Azure services.

Tip: Use the free Azure cost management resources and set up cost alerts to track spending on your account.

Final Thoughts

These five skills form the foundation for getting started with Microsoft Azure. As you grow more comfortable, you can explore more specialized areas like DevOps, data storage, or AI and machine learning on Azure. Remember, learning Microsoft Azure is a journey, and consistent practice is the key to mastery. Dive in, explore, and enjoy the power and flexibility that Azure brings to the world of cloud computing! I am always just a message away if you have any questions!

Reflecting on Global Azure Portugal 2024

Tiago Costa / / Random words

As the curtains draw on yet another Global Azure Portugal, it’s time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the collective achievements and milestones we’ve reached together. As both an organizer and a speaker, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the energy and passion of the local Azure and AI community.

From the bustling corridors filled with eager attendees to the engaging sessions buzzing with thought-provoking discussions, Global Azure Portugal was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and innovation in shaping the future of cloud computing.

My Experience as a Speaker

As a speaker, I had the privilege of sharing insights and expertise on Azure Open AI during my session and moderating a panel discussion on AI’s transformative potential. The impact of these sessions was profound, sparking meaningful conversations, challenging perspectives, and empowering attendees to explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence.

The audience’s enthusiasm and curiosity reaffirmed the boundless possibilities that Azure technologies offer in driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and unlocking new opportunities across industries and domains. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, we explored AI’s practical applications, its ethical implications, and the role of collaboration in advancing responsible AI solutions.

Experience as an Organizer

Together with Pedro Sousa, I had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of speakers and volunteers who shared a common vision of delivering an exceptional conference experience. From meticulous planning and logistics to seamless execution and attendee engagement, every aspect of the conference was meticulously crafted to ensure maximum value and impact for participants and sponsors alike.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, who played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Their invaluable support and resources elevated the conference to new heights. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and community empowerment was evident in every interaction, exhibition, and networking opportunity throughout the event.

Some conference highlights stand out:

Networking: We more than 180 individual participants, Global Azure Portugal provided a platform for attendees to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals and industry experts.

Sessions: From technical deep dives to strategic insights, the diverse range of sessions catered to attendees’ varying interests and expertise levels, empowering them to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Community: The conference fostered knowledge sharing and skill development and strengthened the bonds within the Azure and AI community, paving the way for future collaborations and partnerships.

Looking Ahead

As we bid farewell to another successful edition of Global Azure Portugal, our journey is far from over. The momentum, energy, and passion ignited during this event will continue to propel us forward as we embark on new adventures at the Azure and AI User Group Portugal and explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference – from our sponsors and speakers to our attendees and volunteers. Your support, dedication, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind our shared journey.

Global Azure Portugal 2025 organization starts TODAY!

Until we meet again!

Speaking at the European Cloud Summit 2024

Tiago Costa / / Azure, Events, Speaking

Join me at the European Cloud Summit to learn how to use Azure Policy to ensure a well-managed Azure infrastructure.

Tiago Costa speaking at European Cloud Summit

I’m excited to announce that I will speak at the European Cloud Summit, a premier event for cloud professionals and enthusiasts in Europe. The summit will occur from May 14 to 16, 2024, in Wiesbaden, Germany. It will feature over 100 sessions covering various topics related to cloud computing, such as architecture, security, DevOps, AI, IoT, and more. You can find more details and register for the summit at https://cloudsummit.eu/.


In this post, I’ll provide a sneak peek into what you can expect from my session and why Azure Policy is a game-changer for maintaining a robust and compliant Azure infrastructure.
My session is titled “Enforcing Governance and Compliance with Azure Policy: Best Practices for Well-Managed Azure”. In this session, I will explore the role of Azure Policy in ensuring a well-managed Azure infrastructure. Azure Policy enables organizations to enforce governance and compliance requirements by defining and enforcing policy rules across their Azure resources. I will discuss best practices for creating and implementing Azure Policy, including:

  • Setting up policies for resource deployment and management, such as naming conventions, locations, tags, and resource types.
  • Securing resources like encryption, firewall, identity, and access management.
  • Optimizing resource utilization, such as cost management, quota limits, and resource locks.


By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of Azure Policy’s benefits and how to use it to enforce governance and compliance in their Azure environment. Whether you are new to Azure Policy or already familiar with it, you will find this session valuable and informative.


Stay tuned for more updates, and mark your calendars for my session. I hope to see you at the European Cloud Summit and share my insights and experiences with Azure Policy. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me at https://www.tiagocosta.com/contact/.

Elgato Prompter Empower your way of work!

Tiago Costa / / Tech Gear

As a cloud architect working from home, I design, implement, and manage cloud solutions for various clients. This requires me to communicate effectively with stakeholders such as developers, managers, and end-users. I mainly use Microsoft Teams to collaborate with my colleagues and clients, share documents and feedback, and conduct online meetings. I also deliver virtual training sessions on Azure and AI. I have a very good setup to perform all this but always struggled with “where to place my camera”. I have tried several configurations and was never happy with it. I was trying to find the camera placement where I could focus on the demo or presentation and still look at the camera simultaneously to engage better with my virtual audience! I was never thrilled with it until one day, Elgato announced the Prompter!
I got a Prompter (Supplied by Elgato) a few weeks ago and have been trying it; this is my 4-week experience.
In the last weeks, I have used the Elgato Prompter to create engaging and interactive presentations in my conference calls and training sessions. Additionally, I have participated in online conferences and user groups as a speaker. The Elgato Prompter helped me deliver professional and confident speeches without worrying about forgetting my lines or looking away from the camera. It fixed my old (first-world) problem! I can now simultaneously look at my presentation slides/notes and the camera! 😊

Ease of Use
From the get-go, the Elgato Prompter impressed me with its user-friendly interface. Setting it up was a breeze, and I found myself effortlessly navigating through its features. For trainers who need to switch between presentations and live demonstrations, the Elgato Prompter’s ease of use is a significant advantage. Elgato also has created an amazing ecosystem around Stream Deck. The easy switch from speaker notes to a screen with the touch of a button on the stream deck is a must!

Quality of Experience

The video and audio quality are paramount for remote workers, and the Elgato Prompter delivers on both fronts. I’m using a Sony A6600 with a G-lens mounted Prompter. The video quality is still crisp, with no distortion whatsoever! The next step is to test it with the recently launched Elgato Facecam MK.2. I truly believe it would be a great match Prompter + Facecam MK.2!

Flexibility
As someone who mainly works from my home office, I appreciate the Elgato Prompter’s flexibility. I can use it with various software (OBS, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or Zoom) and platforms (Windows and Mac), which is crucial for remote workers and trainers using diverse tools.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Elgato Prompter is a standout product for remote workers and trainers. Its ease of use, quality of experience, interactivity, and flexibility make it an invaluable asset for anyone looking to improve their setup. I highly recommend it to my fellow remote workers and trainers who want to take their virtual presence to the next level.

I like the screen size; it fits nicely on most setups, but I would love to have Elgato create an XL version of it! Elgato, when do you have a Prompter XL? I would be on the line to get one!

You can find more about the Elgato Prompter at https://www.elgato.com/pt/en/p/prompter

Unlocking FREE TLS Certificates on your Azure Web App

Tiago Costa / / Azure

In the dynamic world of cloud computing, Azure stands out as a powerhouse, offering many services to meet the diverse needs of developers and businesses alike. A TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificate is an essential component of a secure and trustworthy website. In this article, we’ll explore Azure Tips and Tricks to add a TLS certificate to your Azure Web App without breaking the bank – in fact, for FREE!

Why TLS Matters?

TLS is crucial for ensuring secure communication between users and your website, safeguarding sensitive information such as login credentials and personal data. It encrypts the data exchanged between the user’s browser and your web server, preventing unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

Azure App Service and TLS.

Azure App Service makes hosting web applications, APIs, and mobile backends easy. However, enabling TLS on your Azure Web App traditionally involved purchasing a certificate, which could be a deterrent for smaller projects or developers on a tight budget. But fear is not! Azure offers a fantastic solution to obtain a TLS certificate for free.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Access the Azure Portal

  • Log in to your Azure portal at https://portal.azure.com/ and select the Azure Web App for which you want to add the TLS certificate.

Step 2: Configure TLS Settings

  • In the left-hand menu, under the “Settings” sections, select “Certificates”. Here, you’ll see options for configuring your certificates.

Step 3: Create the TLS Certificate

  • Select “Managed Certificates” and then “+ Add certificate”.

Azure allows you to create a free App Service Managed Certificate, simplifying the process.

Step 4: Add Domain and Validate

  • Select your custom domain name and select “Validate”. Azure will automatically validate your domain, ensuring that you have ownership. After the validation process is completed, select “Add”.

Conclusion:

You’ve just added a free TLS certificate to your Azure Web App, enhancing the security and trustworthiness of your website. Azure’s user-friendly interface and App Service Managed Certificates have made the once daunting task of obtaining and configuring TLS certificates a breeze.

With this knowledge, you can confidently deploy your web applications on Azure, knowing you’re providing a secure environment for your users without breaking the bank. Stay tuned for more Azure Tips and Tricks to unlock the full potential of Microsoft’s cloud platform!