In a digitized business scale, security is pivotal. SSL is incorporated to encrypt data and ensure secure communication between the client and the server. To configure SSL, follow the steps below.
- Select your web app in the Azure portal.
- Navigate to “Custom domains”.
- Click on “Add Custom Domain”.
- Ensure your domain is validated and add it.
- Once added, click on “Add Binding” next to the domain.
- Select SSL type (S1 or S1 certificate) and click “Add Binding”.
Remember, to configure SSL in Azure, you must have a custom domain, and the domain must be confirmed in Azure before you can create the certificate binding.
Configuring API Settings
APIs are used in Azure to define what data our application is going to consume and how it’s going to interact with it. Following are the steps to configure API settings.
- Navigate to your web app in Azure portal.
- Go to the “Settings” section and click on “Configuration”.
- In the “Application settings” tab, click on “New application setting”.
- Input the name of your setting and its value, and finally click “OK”.
For example, let’s say we’re using the Twitter API and need to add the API keys to our settings.
Here’s how application settings could look like:
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| TWITTER_API_KEY | YourTwitterAPIKey |
| TWITTER_API_SECRETKEY | YourTwitterAPISecretKey |
In your code, you can access these settings like so:
string api_key = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("TWITTER_API_KEY");
string api_secret_key = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("TWITTER_API_SECRET_KEY");
Connection Strings
Connection strings are used to connect to databases and other resources. They contain the information needed to establish a connection, including server location, database name, user credentials, and other parameters required.
To configure connection strings in Azure, follow these steps:
- In the Azure portal, navigate to your web app.
- Go to the “Settings” section and click on “Configuration”.
- Navigate to the “Connection strings” tab.
- Click “New connection string”, provide a name, value, and type (e.g., SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc).
- Finally, select “OK” to save your input.
An example of a connection string could be:
| Name | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|
| MyDBConnectionString | Server=myserver;Database=mydatabase;User Id=myuser;Password=mypassword; | SQL Server |
In your code, you can retrieve this connection string with the following:
string connectionString = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("MyDBConnectionString");
Configuring web app settings in Azure correctly is key to building scalable, robust applications. Accurate configuration of SSL ensures secure communications, whereas connection strings and API settings govern how your app interacts with data and other resources. While the process may seem somewhat meticulous, mastering these steps is crucial for the AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure exam and for being an effective Azure developer.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Azure automatically configures SSL certificates for all web apps and services.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Azure does not automatically configure SSL certificates for all web apps and services. It’s up to the developer to secure their web app by purchasing and configuring SSL certificates.
“Connection Strings” in Azure are case sensitive?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Connection strings have sensitive details which require precise case-sensitive inputs, and Azure follows the same guideline.
In Azure, for the app setting, the key used is case sensitive.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: For the app settings in Azure, the key is not case-sensitive, but it must be unique within an app’s setting collection.
True or False: Enabling SSL in Azure Web App will automatically redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Although enabling SSL makes the Azure Web App accessible over HTTPS, it does not automatically redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS. Additional configuration is required for that.
For configuring API settings in Azure, which of the following are necessary? Choose all that apply.
- a) Valid API address
- b) App Service plan
- c) SSL encryption
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: All these settings are necessary for configuring API settings in Azure, as they are key determinants of how the API will interact with Azure and other services.
True or False: You can only use one connection string for each Azure Web App.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can use multiple connection strings for each Azure Web App. They’re configurable via the Azure Portal, Azure CLI, or the Connection Strings tool in the Azure RV set tools.
Which of the following hosts web APIs and API apps in Azure?
- a) Blob Storage
- b) Azure App Service
- c) Azure VM
- d) Cosmos DB
Answer: b) Azure App Service
Explanation: Azure App Service is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering of Microsoft Azure for hosting web APIs, web apps, and API apps.
True or False: Azure Web App settings are exposed as environment variables for the application code.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: In Azure Web Apps, app settings are injected into your app’s runtime environment, allowing your app to consume them naturally.
Which of the following Azure resources do you need in order to configure SSL certificates?
- a) Managed Certificates
- b) Private Key Certificates
- c) App Service Certificate
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Azure provides several resources to manage SSL certificates, including managed certificates, private key certificates, and App Service certificates.
True or False: In Azure, it’s possible to connect a web app to SQL Database using connection strings in ConfigurationManager.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Connection strings can be used to fetch data from SQL Database, and these are generally stored in ConfigurationManager so that they can easily be modified without changing the app’s source code.
Interview Questions
What is the primary purpose of an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) in a web app?
SSL is a security technology used to establish an encrypted link between a web server and a client. This link ensures that all data passed between the server and the client is private and integral.
How does SSL work in Azure?
SSL in Azure secures communication to and from your application. Azure deploys and manages SSL certificates and automatically renews them before they expire.
What is the purpose of API settings in a web app configuration?
API settings are used to control how the web app interface with other services or APIs. They can be used to specify endpoints, keys, or any other details required for the correct functioning of APIs.
What is a connection string in Azure Web App service?
A connection string in Azure is a string that contains the necessary details for your web app to connect to a database or other data store.
How do you reference connection strings in Azure?
In Azure, connection strings are referenced in your code using the name that you gave them when you configured them. They can be fetched using the ConfigurationManager in .NET or process.env in Node.
How can you secure connection strings in Azure?
Security for connection strings in Azure can be achieved by storing them in Azure Key Vault and retrieving them using Managed Identity.
What are the steps to configure SSL for an Azure Web App?
To configure SSL for an Azure Web App, you need to first create or import an SSL certificate. Then, you need to bind the SSL certificate to the web app using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.
Why do you need to bind an SSL certificate to your Azure Web App?
Binding an SSL certificate enables the Azure Web app to use the certificate for HTTPS requests. Without binding, the Web App does not recognize the SSL certificate.
How can you add or update an API setting in an Azure Web App?
API settings for an Azure Web App can be added or updated using either the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.
When adding API settings in Azure, what is the “name” field used for?
The name of the API setting is used as a key to look up the setting value, similar to how environment variables work.
What is the purpose of the “value” field when adding Web App API settings in Azure?
The “value” field is used to store the actual data/value that will be used by your app as defined by the setting name/key.
How can you secure API settings in Azure?
API settings can be secured in Azure through the use of Azure Key Vault, where sensitive information can be stored securely and accessed with Managed Identity.
What components does a connection string include?
The exact components of a connection string depend on the database provider, but it often includes the server name, database name, and authentication information.
What options does Azure provide for SSL certificate hosting?
Azure provides options to both purchase and host a new certificate, or bring your own uploaded certificate.
How can you add or update an Azure Web App connection string?
Connection strings in Azure can be added or updated using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.
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