Getting Started with Azure

2016-01-26 17:43:03
Posted by aeadmin on Jan 26, 2016 9:43:03 AM

Azure is Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, providing a variety of service that can be used without purchasing or provisioning hardware. Azure enables the rapid development of solutions and provides the resources to accomplish tasks that may not be feasible in an on-premise environment. Azure’s compute, storage, network and application services can also be used in a hybrid configuration, connecting on-premise infrastructure with the Microsoft Cloud.

In a traditional on-premise data center model, the purchasing, installation and management of the hardware thought its entire life cycle imposes significant capital and operational costs. By utilizing Azure cloud services, organizations can leverage the vast features and resources all while cutting cost.

azure-compute-landscape

Fig 1 – Flexibility and control vs. Cost with Azure architecture

Cloud computing is often classified in three categories:

Software as a Service (SaaS): Software that is centrally hosted and managed for the end customer and is typically licensed through monthly or annual subscriptions. (Examples: Office 365, One Drive, and Skype for Business)

Platform as a Service (PaaS): A hosted platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage web applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): A hosted environment allowing for the creation of virtual machines, and utilization of virtual networks, load balancers, storage and other infrastructure services.

Azure includes many services some of which span across different layers of the cloud architecture.

Access Control: Azure Active Directory and Multifactor Authentication

Network Services: Includes Azure features such as Virtual Networks, Azure Content Delivery Network and Traffic Manager

Application Layer: Includes Websites, Virtual Machines, and Cloud Services

Data Services: Includes Azure Storage (Blob, Queue, Table and Azure file services) and SQL Databases.

microsoft-azure-services

Fig 2 - Overview of Azure Services

Pricing Overview:

  • No upfront costs
  • No termination fees
  • Pay only for what is used
  • Granular per minute billing

Subscription Types:

  • Pay-as-you-go
  • Prepaid Subscriptions (Discounts)
  • Microsoft Resellers (Open License Program)
  • Enterprise Agreements (Additional Benefits)
  • Azure Compute Option (Limited-Time offer: More usage = More Savings)

Sign up for a free trial: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/free-trial/
The Azure pricing calculator is a helpful tool to estimate the cost of the subscription based on the requirements. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/calculator/

azure-pricing

Fig 3 – Azure Pricing Calculator

Currently there are 2 separate web portals – “Classic” and “Preview” where the Azure services are managed. The “Preview” portal is the newest however there are some features that are still not been transferred over and require the “Classic” portal.

azure-preview

Fig 4-New “Preview” Portal https://portal.azure.com

azure-portal

Fig 5 – Classic Portal: https://manage.windowsazure.com

Both portals are able to provide graphs and charts illustrating current utilization of the Azure services and a brief overview of the account.

azure-billing

Fig 6 – Billing and utilization reports

Detailed usage reports and account balance can be also be reviewed on the main subscriptions page: https://account.windowsazure.com/Subscriptions

azure-account-summary

Fig 7 – Account Summary

Written and composed by one of our Microsoft System Engineers, Raul R. Perez II

References:
Fundamentals of Azure, 2015

Tags: Cloud Computing, Datacenter, IaaS, SQL, Technology, Azure, Cloud, Enterprise Visual Studio, Infrastructure, microsoft azure, PaaS, SaaS, Virtualization, VM

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