Understanding Deployment Settings in Azure
Azure Deployment is a model that helps allocate resources within a cloud environment. These settings are configuration parameters that alter how resources behave when they are deployed, which includes information like the resource location, subscription, and resource group, among others.
One of the main components the Azure deployment settings are Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates). These are JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) files that define the infrastructure and configuration for your project. The template uses declarative syntax, which lets you state what you intend to deploy without having to write the sequence of programming commands to create it.
Configuring Deployment Settings
Here is a primary example of what configuring deployment settings might look like, using Azure Portal:
- Resource group
- Template file
- Parameter file
- Review + create
1. Resource Group: Choose a resource group for your deployment. You can also create a new one if you want.
2. Template File: Upload the JSON file representing your ARM template.
3. Parameter File: (Applicable only if your template includes parameters) Select the JSON file that has pre-set parameter inputs for your template.
4. Review + Create: Review your configuration and create the deployment.
Deploy Using Azure PowerShell
It is also possible to deploy using Azure PowerShell cmdlets. This process involves loading the template file, the parameter file, and then utilizing the cmdlet “New-AzResourceGroupDeployment” with the appropriate parameters.
Here’s a template example:
$templateFile = “{complete location of your template file}”
$parameterFile = “{complete location of your parameter file}”
New-AzResourceGroupDeployment -Name ExampleDeployment -ResourceGroupName “{resourceGroupName}” -TemplateFile $templateFile -TemplateParameterFile $parameterFile
Exchange “{complete location of your template file}” with the precise file path for where your ARM template file resides, and “{complete location of your parameter file}” with the exact file path where your ARM parameters file is located. Replace “{resourceGroupName}” with the name of the resource group that you’re operating on.
Configure Deployment Settings with CLI
Alongside Azure Portal and PowerShell, you can do the same process using the Azure Command Line Interface (CLI), which builds on the bash shell writing format. To undertake this approach, you will need to install Azure CLI on your chosen terminal.
Here’s what it looks like:
az group deployment create –name ExampleDeployment –resource-group {resourceGroupName} –template-file “{Location of your template file}” –parameters “{Location of your parameters file}”
Again, swap {resourceGroupName} with your resource group name, and replace {Location of your template file} and {Location of your parameters file} with the accurate locations of your files.
In conclusion, understanding and becoming proficient with configuring deployment settings is a cardinal part of not only managing an Azure environment but also passing the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam. Using Azure Portal, PowerShell, or Azure CLI, you can effectively manage your resources and significantly streamline your deployment workflows.
Practice Test
True or False: Azure ResourceManager templates can be used to configure deployments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure ResourceManager templates can be used to deploy, update, or delete all the resources for your solution in a single, coordinated operation.
In the Azure portal, where can you find the deployment settings?
- a. Settings
- b. Configure
- c. Deployment Center
- d. Azure Services
Answer: c. Deployment Center
Explanation: The deployment center is where you will find settings related to configuring, managing, and monitoring Azure deployments.
True or False: The AZ-104 exam requires knowledge on how to manually implement Azure security controls.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The AZ-104 exam tests among other thingsnowledge on managing and implementing Azure security controls.
Which of the following can you NOT configure in the Azure portal’s ‘configure deployment settings’?
- a. Backup
- b. Disk Configuration
- c. Network Configuration
- d. Scaling
Answer: a. Backup
Explanation: Backup is not a settings that you can configure under deployment settings.
To monitor progress of deployment operations, what tool can you use in Azure?
- a. Azure Operations Management Suite
- b. Azure Activity Log
- c. Azure Monitor
- d. Azure Deployment Manager
Answer: b. Azure Activity Log
Explanation: Azure Activity Log provides insight into the operations that were performed on resources in your subscription.
What Azure service allows you to define deployment policies and track their compliance?
- a. Azure Policy
- b. Azure Advisor
- c. Azure Monitor
- d. Azure Security Center
Answer: a. Azure Policy
Explanation: Azure Policy helps you manage and prevent IT issues with policy definitions that enforce rules and effects for your resources.
Multiple Select: What are the steps to configure deployment settings in Azure?
- a. Create a new resource group
- b. Select a set of resources
- c. Configure scaling settings
- d. Configure disk settings
Answer: a. Create a new resource group, b. Select a set of resources
Explanation: To configure deployment settings, you must first create a new resource group and select the set of resources to be deployed.
True or False: You cannot rollback changes once resources are deployed in Azure.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure provides ways to manage and rollback changes in case of failure or if the performance is not as expected.
Which of these Azure features allows users to automate deployments?
- a. Azure Pipelines
- b. Azure Policy
- c. Azure Service Health
- d. Azure Advisor
Answer: a. Azure Pipelines
Explanation: Azure Pipelines is a cloud service that you can use to build, test, and deploy your code automatically.
True or False: Azure Resource Manager templates can only be written in JSON syntax.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Resource Manager templates are in JSON syntax, and they define the resources that are needed for the application.
True or False: You can use Azure CLI to configure deployments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a set of commands used to create and manage Azure resources.
Can you configure Azure Resource Manager to prevent accidental deletion of a resource during the deployment process?
- a. Yes
- b. No
Answer: a. Yes
Explanation: Azure Resource Manager supports the ability to provide a ‘Do not delete’ lock on a resource to prevent accidental deletion during deployment.
Which service in Azure is specifically designed to simplify complex deployment management?
- a. Azure Resource Manager
- b. Azure Policy
- c. Azure Advisor
- d. Azure Deployment Manager
Answer: d. Azure Deployment Manager
Explanation: Azure Deployment Manager is a service specifically designed to coordinate and manage complex multi-region deployments.
True or False: Scaling is a setting that cannot be configured during deployment in Azure.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Scaling is an essential part of deployment settings, allowing you to set the scale conditions and limitations for your applications.
Which of the following can be used to deploy resources in Azure?
- a. Azure Advisor
- b. Azure CLI
- c. Azure Resource Manager
- d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
Explanation: All the tools listed – Azure Advisor, Azure CLI, and Azure Resource Manager – can be used to deploy resources in Azure.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of configuring deployment settings in Azure?
Configuring deployment settings allows Azure administrators to manage the distribution of resources, control Azure apps behavior, and make modifications without changing the machine’s code or configuration.
What command in the Azure CLI updates web app configuration?
The ‘az webapp config update’ command updates the web app configuration.
What is the Azure App Service used for?
Azure App Service is a cloud-based platform for hosting and managing web apps, mobile app backends, RESTful APIs, or automated business processes.
What is a staging slot in Azure?
A staging slot is an individual environment where new code can be deployed and tested before it’s swapped into production, lowering the chance of undetected issues affecting your live service.
Can you use Azure Resource Manager templates to deploy resources in Azure?
Yes, Azure Resource Manager templates can be used to deploy resources in Azure. These are JSON files that define the resources needed to be deployed for an application.
What is Azure Blueprints?
Azure Blueprints is a declarative way to orchestrate the deployment of various resource templates and other artifacts, such as Role Assignments, Policy Assignments, and Azure Resource Manager templates.
How many staging slots are available in the Standard tier of Azure App Service plan?
The Standard tier of Azure App Service plan provides a total of 5 staging slots.
What is the purpose of deployment slots in Azure?
Deployment slots allow developers to test their new features before deployment in a production environment. They have identical configurations and features as production slots, ensuring a seamless transition.
Can you use Azure PowerShell to configure deployment settings?
Yes, Azure PowerShell is a set of cmdlets for managing Azure resources directly from the PowerShell command line. It could be used to configure deployment settings.
What is the function of the ‘az group deployment’ command?
The ‘az group deployment’ command is used to manage deployments at the resource group scope.
In Azure, what is a deployment mode?
Deployment mode in Azure refers to two modes, Incremental and Complete. Incremental mode only adds or updates the resources while Complete mode deletes resources not included in the template.
How do you use the Azure Portal to create a new deployment slot?
Deployment slots can be created in the Azure Portal by navigating to your web app’s management page and clicking the “+ Add Slot” button in the “Deployment slots” section.
What happens during a swap operation in Azure App Service?
During a swap operation in Azure App Service, the destination slot and source slot are swapped, moving the destination slot’s content to the source slot.
How can configuration settings be applied to multiple deployments or services in Azure?
Azure Resource Manager Templates or Blueprints can be utilized to apply configuration settings to multiple deployments or services.
What is Azure Resiliency in terms of deployments?
Azure Resiliency is a deployment strategy that ensures applications and services remain available and functional during various events, from transient failures to large-scale outages. This strategy can be incorporated into deployment settings.