Create an ARM template

ARM templates, also known as Azure Resource Manager templates, are a powerful tool provided by Microsoft to help users automate and efficiently administer their Azure resources. They facilitate the deployment and management of Azure resources consistently, deploying resources together as a group and managing them as a single entity.

Understanding ARM Templates:

ARM Templates are JSON files that define the resources that need to be deployed to a resource group in Azure. They provide a declarative way to define deployment, meaning you describe what you want without having to write a sequence of programming commands to achieve it.

Consider the below basic example of an ARM template:

{
"$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2015-01-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
"contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
"parameters": {
"storageAccountType": {
"type": "string",
"defaultValue": "Standard_LRS",
"allowedValues": [
"Standard_LRS",
"Standard_GRS",
"Standard_RAGRS",
"Premium_LRS"
]
}
},
"resources": [
{
"type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
"name": "[concat('storage', uniqueString(resourceGroup().id))]",
"apiVersion": "2015-06-15",
"location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
"properties": {
"accountType": "[parameters('storageAccountType')]"
}
}
],
"outputs": {
"storageAccountName": {
"type": "string",
"value": "[concat('storage', uniqueString(resourceGroup().id))]"
}
}
}

This ARM template deploys a storage account with a specific name in the given resource group.

Configuring and Operating an Azure Stack Hub with ARM templates:

ARM templates are a key part of configuring and operating a hybrid cloud with Azure Stack Hub for AZ-600 exam. They allow for uniform deployment of resources, making it easy to manage complex cloud environments.

The main components of an ARM template include the schema, parameters, variables, resources, and outputs.

• Schema: It provides the location of the JSON schema file that describes the version of the template language.
• Parameters: It allows customizing the deployment by accepting input values during the deployment.
• Variables: They are used in the template for ease of reading and to avoid repeating the same values.
• Resources: Defines the resources to deploy or update.
• Outputs: It returns values from the deployed resources.

How to create an ARM template?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create an ARM template:

1. Define the schema and content version: As in the example above, start your JSON file by defining the `$schema` and `contentVersion`.
2. Set parameters: If there’s any input required during deployment, specify it as `parameters`. For example, inputting the storage account type.
3. Add resources: Define the `resources` that you want to deploy. This will include setting the type of the resource, API version, location, and other properties.
4. Define Outputs: After defining all your resources, if there are any values that are needed to be returned, specify it in `outputs`.
5. Validate your ARM template: You can validate your ARM template through Azure portal, PowerShell, or CLI using Azure Stack Hub.
6. Deploy the ARM template: Similarly, you can deploy your ARM template through Azure portal, PowerShell, or CLI using Azure Stack Hub.

To sum up, ARM templates support and enhance the Azure Stack Hub experience. They offer a declarative, efficient, and flexible way to manage Azure resources. Understanding ARM templates is crucial for anyone looking into Microsoft’s AZ-600 exam for configuring and operating a hybrid cloud with Azure Stack Hub. It is an essential skill for any Azure architect or administrator.

Practice Test

True or False: ARM templates allow you to create and deploy an entire Azure Stack Hub environment using declarative templates.

• Answer: True

Explanation: ARM templates use a declarative syntax, providing a way to define the infrastructure to be deployed.

What file format is used for defining an ARM template?

• A. .CSV
• B. .JSON
• C. .TXT
• D. .XML
• Answer: B. .JSON

Explanation: ARM templates are written in JSON format.

True or False: You can only deploy an ARM template using Azure Portal.

• Answer: False

Explanation: You can deploy an ARM template using Azure Portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, or on a REST API operation.

Which resource does an ARM template require to successfully carry out Azure Stack Hub deployment process?

• A. A Resource Manager
• B. A Resource Group
• C. Both A and B
• D. None of the above
• Answer: C. Both A and B

Explanation: The ARM architecture requires a resource manager and a resource group to execute the deployment successfully.

True or False: ARM templates are region-specific and may not work across different regions.

• Answer: False

Explanation: ARM templates are not region-specific. They can be used to deploy resources in any region.

What is the use of parameters in an ARM template?

• A. Define repeatable elements
• B. Provide values during deployment
• C. Define dependencies
• D. Define resource properties
• Answer: B. Provide values during deployment

Explanation: Parameters in an ARM template act like placeholders that are provided values at the time of deployment.

ARM templates support which of the following functions?

• A. Logical functions
• B. Array and Object functions
• C. Deployment functions
• D. All of the above
• Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: ARM templates support a variety of functions including logical, deployment, and array/object functions.

True or False: The resources in an ARM template are deployed in the order they are defined in the template.

• Answer: False

Explanation: The ARM template deployment is not sequential. It is based on the dependencies defined within the resources.

What section of an ARM template is used to define the order of deployment?

• A. Parameters
• B. Variables
• C. Resources
• D. Outputs
• Answer: C. Resources

Explanation: The ‘Resources’ section is used to define the order of deployment via the ‘dependsOn’ property.

True or False: ARM templates can be used to set up resource diagnostics settings.

• Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Resource Manager templates can be used to configure diagnostics settings for resources.

Which of the following cannot be done using an ARM template?

• A. Create new resources
• B. Update existing resources
• C. Delete resources
• D. None of the above
• Answer: D. None of the above

Explanation: With Azure Resource Manager templates, you can create, update, and even delete resources.

True or False: You can nest ARM templates to create complex deployments.

• Answer: True

Explanation: Using linked templates, you can break down your deployment into a set of targeted, modular files or nest ARM templates to create complex deployments.

In an ARM template, what does the “outputs” section define?

• A. The resources to be deployed
• B. The values that are returned after deployment
• C. The parameters for deployment
• D. The dependencies between resources
• Answer: B. The values that are returned after deployment

Explanation: The “outputs” section defines the values that will be returned after the deployment.

True or False: It is mandatory to define parameters in an ARM template.

• Answer: False

Explanation: Although helpful, it’s not always mandatory to define parameters. You can also use literal values, variables and expressions.

True or False: The same ARM template can be used for deploying resources to both Azure and Azure Stack Hub.

• Answer: True

Explanation: ARM templates are compatible with both Azure and Azure Stack Hub. Templates designed for Azure can also be used for Azure Stack Hub, assuming same services are available.

Interview Questions

What is ARM template in Azure Stack Hub?

An Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template is a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) file that defines the infrastructure and configuration for your Azure Stack Hub environment. It allows you to use declarative syntax to state what you intend to deploy.

What is the purpose of ARM templates in Azure Stack Hub?

ARM templates in Azure Stack Hub are used to deploy resources in a consistent manner. They provide idempotency and deployment orchestration, ensuring that all resources are created in the correct order with correct dependencies.

How can you deploy an ARM template in Azure Stack Hub?

You can deploy an ARM template in Azure Stack Hub using either Azure PowerShell, the Azure CLI, or the Azure portal.

What is the structure of an ARM template?

An ARM template consists of a JSON file made up of resources, parameters, variables, functions, and outputs. It has a defined schema which represents the properties required to deploy a service or application.

In the context of Azure, what is meant by idempotency?

Idempotency refers to the ability to run the same operation multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application. In Azure, ARM templates provide idempotency, meaning if you deploy the same template with the same parameters multiple times, you’ll end up with the same resource configuration.

What is the purpose of parameters in an ARM template?

Parameters in an ARM template allow for customization of the resource deployment. They provide the ability to make the template more dynamic and reusable.

What is the maximum number of resources that an ARM template can deploy in a single deployment?

An ARM template can deploy a maximum of 800 resources in a single deployment.

When creating an ARM template, can you use comments within your JSON file?

Yes, in an ARM template you can use comments within your JSON file. This can make it easier to understand what different sections of your template do.

Can ARM templates be used to manage resources across multiple Azure Stack Hubs?

Yes, ARM templates can be used to manage and deploy resources across multiple Azure Stack Hubs consistently.

What tool can you use to create ARM templates visually?

Azure provides a tool called Azure Resource Manager template designer which can be used to create ARM templates visually.

How can one debug an ARM template?

Debugging an ARM template can be done using outputs and Azure deployment operations. You can also validate your templates against the defined JSON schema prior making the deployment.

Can you use ARM templates with Continuous Integration Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines?

Yes, ARM templates can be integrated with CI/CD pipelines to automate the deployment and update process of Azure resources.

Are ARM templates case sensitive?

Yes, ARM templates in Azure are case sensitive. This applies to resource types, expressions, functions, parameter names etc.

How can you stop an ongoing deployment in Azure?

In Azure, you can stop an ongoing deployment by using the “az deployment cancel” command in the Azure CLI.

Can you reference resources from another ARM template in your ARM template?

Yes. In ARM templates, you can reference other resources using the ‘reference’ function. This allows you to pass values between different templates or different deployments.