Creating and managing plans is an integral part of Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub (exam AZ-600). Plans outline resources (services) that are made available to users, setting the foundation for user access and control.
In Azure Stack Hub, plans are used to offer various services to users, who can subscribe to services based on their requirements. Once a plan is subscribed to, users can leverage resources from Azure Stack Hub.
Creating Plans in Azure Stack Hub
To create a plan, follow these steps:
- Sign in to the administrator portal of Azure Stack Hub.
- Select ‘Create a resource’ > ‘More Services’ > ‘Plans’.
- Click on ‘Add’ at the top of the Plans blade.
- Provide a ‘Name’, ‘Display name’, and ‘Resource Group’ for the plan.
- In the ‘Services in this plan’ section, click on ‘Add’ and select the service you want to include.
- In the ‘Quota’ field, select a predefined quota or create a new one as needed.
- Click ‘Create’ to successfully create a plan.
As an administrator, you also have the option to add or remove services from the plan, manage quotas related to each service within the plan, and configure Add-On Plans.
Here’s an example of creating a plan that includes ‘Microsoft.Computer’ service with a defined quota of 10 VMs.
$plan = New-AzPlan -Name "Plan01" -DisplayName "Plan 01" -ResourceGroupName "PlanRG" -Location "local" -ServiceName @("Microsoft.Compute")
New-AzQuota -Name "Quota01" -DisplayName "Quota 01" -ResourceGroupName "PlanRG" -Location "local" -MaximumCount 10
In this example, the defined quota specifies the limit for the maximum number of VMs a user can create once they subscribe to this plan.
Managing Plans in Azure Stack Hub
Beyond creating plans, administrators are responsible for managing subscribed plans. Managing plans involves altering, deleting, or disabling a plan.
To disable a plan:
- Go to the administrator portal > All services > Plans.
- Select the plan you want to disable.
- Click on ‘Disable’. This will prevent new subscriptions but will not affect the present plan’s subscribers.
To delete a plan:
- Go to the administrator portal > All services > Plans.
- Select the plan you want to delete.
- Click on ‘Delete’. This will delete all the subscriptions associated with the plan.
By tailoring plans and managing them effectively, it becomes easier to control user capacities. It is also possible to replicate default plans or customize new ones based on specific user needs.
Understanding the importance of creating and managing plans within Azure will dramatically increase your efficiency when configuring and operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub. This forms a crucial part of preparation for the AZ-600 exam.
Remember, the key to mastering this aspect revolves around frequent practice and a deep understanding of Microsoft Azure’s functionalities and potentialities.
Practice Test
True or False: In Azure Stack Hub, you can create plans and offers without creating quotas.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A quota defines the amount of the service that a user can consume. It must be created before creating plans and offers.
Which of the following is not a mandatory step while creating a plan in Azure Stack Hub?
- a) Defining quotas
- b) Choosing services
- c) Setting pricing
- d) Specifying user
Answer: c) Setting pricing
Explanation: Pricing is not a prerequisite for creating plans. However, defining quotas, choosing services, and specifying users are critical steps.
True or False: Azure Stack Hub supports only a single active plan per offer.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: An offer in Azure Stack Hub can contain multiple plans.
In Azure Stack Hub, what is the purpose of creating Add-on plans?
- a) To provide free services
- b) To offer additional resources
- c) To create new subscriptions
- d) For creating users
Answer: b) To offer additional resources
Explanation: Add-on plans are created to provide additional resources or services beyond the base plan.
True or False: A subscription in Azure Stack Hub is linked to a single plan.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A subscription in Azure Stack Hub is linked to one plan but an offer can have more than one plan.
What is the relationship between offers and plans in Azure Stack Hub?
- a) One offer can have multiple plans
- b) One plan can have multiple offers
- c) There is no relation between offers and plans
Answer: a) One offer can have multiple plans
Explanation: An offer can contain multiple plans, providing users greater flexibility and access to resources.
True or False: Quotas in Azure Stack Hub are globally defined and same for all the users.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Quotas in Azure Stack Hub can be defined for specific users or plans, and are not universal.
What is the purpose of a Base Plan in Azure Stack Hub?
- a) To provide a template for all other plans
- b) To manage the overall resources
- c) To define the core services a user gets when they subscribe to an offer
Answer: c) To define the core services a user gets when they subscribe to an offer
Explanation: A Base Plan is associated with an offer and defines the core services a user has when they subscribe to that offer.
True or False: You can associate a single offer to multiple subscriptions but not vice versa.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Azure Stack Hub, a single offer can be associated with multiple subscriptions. However, a single subscription can only be associated with a single offer.
In Azure Stack Hub, what is the purpose of disabling a plan?
- a) To stop new users from subscribing to the plan
- b) To revoke the plan from all subscribed users
- c) To delete the plan
Answer: a) To stop new users from subscribing to the plan
Explanation: Disabling a plan prevents new users from subscribing to it, but does not affect those who have already subscribed.
True or False: New services can be added to an existing plan while users are subscribed to it.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Stack Hub allows for plan modification even if users are already subscribed, providing flexibility and adaptability to changing needs.
In order to publish a plan, which actions should be done? Select all that apply.
- a) Define a Quota
- b) Define a Base Plan
- c) Add the Plans to an Offer
- d) Create an add-on plan
Answer: a) Define a Quota, b) Define a Base Plan, c) Add the Plans to an Offer
Explanation: In order to publish a plan, you need to define a quota, define a base plan, and add these plans to an offer. Creating an add-on plan is not a necessary step to publish a plan, but can be included based on the requirement.
Interview Questions
1. What is Microsoft Azure Stack Hub?
Microsoft Azure Stack Hub is a hybrid cloud platform that allows you to run Azure services in your company’s or service provider’s datacenter. It’s designed to enable new scenarios for modern applications in key scenarios, such as edge and disconnected solutions, and meet specific security and compliance requirements.
2. How do you create a plan in Azure Stack Hub?
You can create a plan via the Admin portal in Azure Stack Hub. Follow these steps: Sign in to the Azure Stack Hub user portal as a cloud operator -> Select ‘All services’ -> In the general section, select ‘Plans’ -> Select ‘+Add’ -> Enter a ‘Display name’ for the new Plan -> Add one or more services -> After adding the services, select ‘OK’ -> Set the quotas for the services added -> Then select ‘OK’ to create.
3. Can I delete a plan in Azure Stack Hub?
Yes, you can delete a plan, but you must first ensure that no subscriptions are associated with it. If there are, you need to either delete the subscriptions or move them to a different plan.
4. What is a quota in Azure Stack Hub?
Quotas in Azure Stack Hub are the measures used to limit the resource usage per subscription. Quotas are typically assigned at the time of creating a plan.
5. Can I change a quota after a plan in Azure Stack Hub has been created?
Yes, after creating a plan in Azure Stack Hub, you can still change quotas. However, the changes do not affect existing subscriptions. The new quotas will only apply to new subscriptions that you add to the plan.
6. What happens when a user reaches the quota limit in Azure Stack Hub?
When a user reaches the quota limit, they cannot create additional resources until they either delete some of the existing resources to free up capacity or the quota is increased.
7. How does Azure Stack Hub manage storage for virtual machines?
Azure Stack Hub provides two types of storage disks for virtual machines: managed and unmanaged. Managed disks are newer and simplify disk management, whereas unmanaged disks are contained in a storage account controlled by the user.
8. How can I monitor resource usage in Azure Stack Hub?
Azure Stack Hub offers a variety of tools to monitor usage, such as the Azure Cost Management + Billing blade, which you can use to monitor, analyze, and optimize your cloud costs.
9. What happens if a cloud operator deletes a plan with subscriptions in it on Azure Stack Hub?
Deleting a plan that still has subscriptions will result in the subscriptions failing and become inaccessible. The resources associated with those subscriptions will not be deleted, but users will be unable to manage them.
10. Can I add additional services to a plan after it has been created in Azure Stack Hub?
No, adding additional services to a plan after it has been created is not possible in Azure Stack Hub. However, you can create additional add-on plans and assign them to a user.
11. What is Azure Stack Hub’s role-based access control (RBAC)?
Azure Stack Hub uses Azure’s role-based access control (RBAC) model. RBAC helps manage who has access to Azure resources, what areas they have access to, and what they can do with those resources.
12. What is Azure Resource Manager in the context of Azure Stack Hub?
Azure Resource Manager is the deployment and management service for Azure Stack Hub. It provides a consistent management layer to create, update, and delete resources in your Azure Stack Hub.
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