In Azure Stack Hub, a privileged endpoint, often referred to as a PEP, is a pre-configured remote PowerShell session that grants restricted access to the Azure Stack Hub’s underlying infrastructure. This endpoint is highly controlled and provides just-in-time elevated access to the system.
The PEP is not typically used for day-to-day operations. Instead, it’s reserved for system maintenance tasks such as:
- Password resets for cloud identities.
- Network configuration and troubleshooting tasks.
- Log collection activities for investigation.
- Disaster recovery operations.
How PEP Fits Into a Hybrid Cloud Environment
In a hybrid cloud, the Privileged Endpoints are like the keys to the kingdom. They represent the maximum level of access to your Azure Stack Hub, allowing you to execute commands that can significantly impact your entire environment.
When managing a hybrid cloud environment like Azure Stack Hub, it is crucial to note that the traditional Azure portal or the standard Azure Resource Manager API does not provide all the capabilities you need. Therefore, it’s necessary to access the underlying infrastructure via the Privileged Endpoint to perform specific maintenance tasks.
Connecting to a Privileged Endpoint
Before we dive into the process, be aware that connecting to a privileged endpoint requires:
- A VPN or a physical connection to the Azure Stack Hub’s Hardware Lifecycle Host (HLH).
- The cloud operator’s Azure Active Directory (AAD) account or Azure Stack Hub’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) account credentials.
To connect to a privileged endpoint, follow these steps:
- First, open a PowerShell window on your local workstation.
- Next, connect to your Azure Stack Hub’s HLH via a VPN or direct connection.
- Run the Enter-PSSession cmdlet to initiate a PowerShell session with the Privileged Endpoint.
$cred = Get-Credential
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName
Replace `
- You will be prompted for your Azure Stack Hub AAD or ADFS credentials. Enter your credentials to proceed.
- Once connected, you’ll have access to run various maintenance commands. Remember to exit the PSSession when you’re done using `Exit-PSSession`.
Conclusion
Mastering the skill of connecting to a privileged endpoint is essential for operating Azure Stack Hub effectively. This process gives system administrators specialized access to perform necessary advanced tasks, ensuring the stability and functionality of the hybrid cloud environment.
Remember that with great access comes great responsibility. Always follow the principle of least privilege and only use the privileged endpoint when necessary and under controlled conditions. This approach will help maintain the security and integrity of your Azure Stack Hub deployment.
Practice Test
(True/False) Privileged endpoints in Azure Stack Hub are for everyday use.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Privileged endpoints in Azure Stack Hub are specialized, secure nodes only used for certain tasks such as recovering a failed Azure Stack Hub and allow direct interaction with the underlying infrastructure.
(Single Select) What type of node is the Privileged Endpoint (PEP) in Azure Stack Hub?
- a) Compute
- b) Storage
- c) Virtual Machine
- d) Secure
Answer: d) Secure
Explanation: The Privileged Endpoint (PEP) is a secure node in Azure Stack Hub, providing a channel to interact with underlying infrastructure components.
(Multiple Select) What functionalities are offered by Privileged endpoints in Azure Stack Hub?
- a) Deploying Azure resources
- b) Direct interaction with the infrastructure
- c) Managing subscriptions
- d) Rebooting physical computers
Answer: b) Direct interaction with the infrastructure, d) Rebooting physical computers
Explanation: Privileged endpoints in Azure Stack Hub allow for direct interaction with the infrastructure and tasks such as rebooting physical machines. They do not handle Azure resource deployment or subscription management.
(True/False) Azure Stack Hub’s privileged endpoints can be accessed through a secure shell (SSH).
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Stack Hub’s privileged endpoints are accessible using a secure shell (SSH) to maintain a secure connection.
(Single Select) Privileged Endpoints in Azure Stack Hub can be used to:
- a) Add resources to a subscription
- b) Reset local account passwords
- c) Manage applications within a Virtual Machine
- d) Deploy Virtual Machines
Answer: b) Reset local account passwords
Explanation: Privileged Endpoints in Azure Stack Hub are used to perform certain management tasks such as resetting the local account passwords.
(True/False) Privileged endpoints should be used to manage Azure Stack Hub User Subscriptions.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Privileged endpoints are primarily used to perform specific management tasks at the underlying infrastructure level and not for managing user subscriptions.
(Multiple Select) You can connect to a privileged endpoint using:
- a) PowerShell Direct
- b) Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
- c) Secure Shell (SSH)
- d) Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Answer: a) PowerShell Direct, c) Secure Shell (SSH)
Explanation: Connecting to a privileged endpoint can be done through PowerShell Direct or Secure Shell (SSH). RDP and VPN are not ways to connect to the privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub.
(True/False) You need administrative credentials to connect to a privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Administrative credentials are needed to connect to a privileged endpoint as it provides direct access to the underlying infrastructure.
(Single Select) Privileged endpoints are specifically used for tasks such as:
- a) Managing Azure resources
- b) Recovering a failed Azure Stack Hub
- c) Creating new user subscriptions
- d) Monitoring resource usage.
Answer: b) Recovering a failed Azure Stack Hub
Explanation: Privileged endpoints are used to recover a failed Azure Stack Hub and to perform certain other management tasks.
(True/False) Each Azure Stack Hub has more than one privileged endpoint.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Each Azure Stack Hub has multiple privileged endpoints, which provide redundancy and automatic failover.
Interview Questions
What is a privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub?
The privileged endpoint (PEP) in the Azure Stack Hub is a pre-configured remote PowerShell interface, designed to enable system administrators to perform system-level operations on the Azure Stack Hub infrastructure.
What kind of operation is performed by the Azure Stack Hub privileged endpoint?
The privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub is mainly used for operations like managing and configuring the individual components of Azure Stack Hub infrastructure, performing system diagnostics and maintenance tasks.
Is there any hardware requirements for Azure Stack privileged endpoint?
Yes, the Azure Stack privileged endpoint PowerShell session should be initiated from a hardware that meets the Windows Server 2016 requirements.
What are the two methods to connect to the Privileged Endpoint in Azure Stack Hub?
The two methods for connecting to the Privileged Endpoint (PEP) are using VPN and through a direct connection to the Privileged Endpoint VM.
What is the VM name of a privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub?
The VM name for the privileged endpoint in Azure Stack Hub is AzS-ERCS01, AzS-ERCS02, or AzS-ERCS03 for the Azure Stack Hub integrated systems.
Is a secure channel necessarily required to connect to Azure Stack Hub privileged endpoint?
Yes, for security reasons a secure channel (Remote PowerShell session via JEA) is a must to connect to the Azure Stack privileged endpoint.
What is the purpose of an emergency recovery console (ERCS)?
The emergency recovery console (ERCS) provides a safety-net to recover and repair the Azure Stack Hub infrastructure, should a failure occur.
What are the credentials required to connect to the Privileged Endpoint?
To connect to the Privileged Endpoint, one needs to use the CloudAdmin credentials that were specified during the Azure Stack Hub deployment.
What permissions are required to execute functions and commands via the privileged endpoint?
A user must be a member of the cloud admins group in the Privileged Access Management solution for Azure Stack Hub to execute functions and commands via the privileged endpoint.
Can the privileged endpoint be used for managing user resources within Azure Stack Hub?
No, the privileged endpoint is exclusively for system-level administration and for operations that aren’t exposed through user-facing portals and doesn’t deal with user resources.
How should you establish a PowerShell session to connect to the Privileged Endpoint?
You can establish a PowerShell session using the New-PSSession cmdlet specifying the Cred, ConfigurationName, and ComputerName parameters.
What is Just Enough Administration (JEA) and how is it related to PEP?
Just Enough Administration (JEA) is a security technology that enables delegated administration for anything managed by PowerShell. Privileged Endpoint (PEP) operates through a JEA Remote PowerShell session in Azure Stack Hub.
How does Azure Stack Hub ensure the security of Privileged Endpoints(PEP)?
Azure Stack Hub secures PEP using Just Enough Administration (JEA), allowing users to perform only the tasks they are authorized to do, reducing the risks related to privileged access.
Are multiple privileged endpoint VMs available in Azure stack Hub?
Yes, there are multiple privileged endpoint VMs for redundancy, typically three VMs named AzS-ERCS01, AzS-ERCS02, and AzS-ERCS03.
How does accessing privileged endpoint differ between Azure Stack Hub Development Kit (ASDK) and multi-node integrated systems?
In the ASDK, you connect directly to the privileged endpoint VM, but with a multi-node integrated system, you must first connect through the VPN before connecting to the privileged endpoint VM.
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