I’ll be speaking at the European SharePoint, Office 365 & Azure Conference (ESPC) 2024 in the beautiful city of Stockholm! Mark your calendars for December 3rd to 5th, and get ready for an incredible event filled with learning, networking, and inspiration.
I’m particularly excited to share that my session, “Azure Infrastructure as a Service Unleashed: A Comprehensive Journey into Design, Deploy, Manage IaaS Workloads,” will dive deep into the intricacies of Azure IaaS. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your Azure journey, this session promises to equip you with valuable insights and practical knowledge to harness the full potential of Azure’s capabilities.
ESPC 2024 is a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry experts, explore the latest innovations, and gain insights that can propel your career forward. I can’t wait to see you there and share this learning experience with you!
Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to register for ESPC 2024. See you in Stockholm!
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.
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!
