Getting Access to Azure

To start with Azure, the first thing you'll need is an account. Go to https://azure.microsoft.com and get yourself a free account to get started, or use the corporate account that is already in use. Another possibility is to use Azure with a Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise subscription, which will give you Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) credits for Azure. If your organization already has an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft, you can use your Enterprise subscription, or you can sign up for a pay-as-you-go subscription (if you have already used your free trial).

If you are using a free account, you'll get some credits to start, some of the popular services for a limited time, and some services that will stay free always, such as the container service. You can find the most recent list of free services at https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free. You won't be charged during the trial period, except for virtual machines that need additional...