Exploring the Core Concepts Of Azure

Microsoft Azure is Microsoft’s globally distributed cloud platform and provides over 200 products and services, covering all the service models previously discussed—from virtual machines to cognitive services. Managing all your services and subscriptions can be done through the Azure portal, which can be accessed via https://portal.azure.com. But the portal isn’t the only option. Azure also offers a comprehensive API and CLI, both of which will be explored throughout this book, as well as a PowerShell module. There is also a marketplace where Microsoft partners, independent software vendors (ISVs), and start-ups can offer their solutions and services that have been optimized to run on Azure.

Azure’s giant of an identity platform is now known as Microsoft Entra ID, though it was previously called Azure Active Directory (AAD). It will be referred to throughout this book many times. At no point will we be covering all...