Azure Stack Hub provides a comprehensive service fabric via its App Service resource provider, accommodating the creation, deployment, and scale of web apps, mobile app backends, and RESTful APIs with minimal friction.

In relation to the AZ-600 exam, understanding the utilization and implementation of the Azure App Service resource provider on Azure Stack Hub remains paramount. We will delve into this topic, and guide you through the steps to deploy the Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub.

Table of Contents

Understanding Azure App Service Resource Provider

The Azure App Service provides a managed service for hosting web applications, RESTful APIs, and mobile backends. Whether it’s .NET, .NET Core, Node.js, Java, Python, or PHP, you can deploy applications in your choice of language.

Here is a quick run-down of the key components of Azure App Services:

  • Web Apps: For hosting websites and web apps
  • Mobile Apps: For hosting mobile app backends, including built-in support for push notifications, user authentication, and data synchronization
  • API Apps: For hosting APIs consumed by clients, built-in support for cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) and OpenAPI (Swagger)
  • Logic Apps: For automating business processes and running workflows that integrate with various services.

Deploying App Service Resource Provider on Azure Stack Hub

To deploy the App Service on Azure Stack Hub, follow these steps:

  1. Download Marketplace items: Before deploying the App Service resource provider, you need to download the following items from the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace: Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter – latest version and Microsoft Azure App Service – latest version.
  2. Prepare the deployment environment: Ensure the Azure Stack Hub operator has prepared the deployment environment. This includes setting up the necessary virtual networks, configuring the required DNS settings, to name a few.
  3. Configure delegation: You need to delegate a subnet within the virtual network for use by the App Service.
  4. Deploy App Service Resource Provider: Using Azure Stack Hub admin portal, add the App Service Resource Provider.

During deployment of the App Service resource provider, you’re asked to provide several settings like App Service DNS suffix, the ADFS service account username, SSL certification information among others. Ensure they are properly configured to ensure seamless deployment.

It’s worth noting that the deployment of Azure App Service Resource Provider involves the creation of several resources, including a local Active Directory on the domain controller virtual machine and a SQL Server instance.

Monitoring and Updating App Service Resource Provider

Once installed, the App Service resource provider’s health and status can be monitored in two places, the administrator portal and the App Service Administration (preview) blade in the Azure Stack Hub administrator portal.

Remember that Microsoft releases updates for the App Service on Azure Stack Hub with every update cycle. Keeping your App Service updated ensures your applications enjoy the latest features and security updates.

The AZ-600 exam expects you to have hands-on experience and understanding of the Azure App Service resource provider, particularly within the context of Azure Stack Hub. Deploying, monitoring, and managing the App Service Resource provider forms a critical piece in Azure Stack Hub, making it essential for anyone looking to pass the AZ-600 exam.

Practice Test

True or False: Azure Stack Hub supports the deployment of only Windows-based applications.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure Stack Hub is capable of deploying both Windows and Linux applications which makes it versatile in application hosting.

What does the Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub provide?

  • A. PaaS for building, deploying, and scaling web apps
  • B. IaaS for managing large-scale infrastructure
  • C. SAS for end-to-end analytic solutions
  • D. A platform for network monitoring

Answer: A. PaaS for building, deploying, and scaling web apps

Explanation: Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub provides a platform as a service (PaaS) for building, deploying, and scaling web apps and services.

True or False: It is not possible to scale your App Service plan tier if you run out of resource capacity.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: You can scale up or scale out your App Service plan tier if you run out of resource capacity.

In App Service on Azure Stack Hub, what elements are in an App Service Plan?

  • A. Virtual machine size and resource rates
  • B. Scaling settings
  • C. App Service applications
  • D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: An App Service Plan includes the virtual machine size, resource rates, scaling setting options, and the hosted App Service applications themselves.

True or False: In Azure Stack Hub, you can use Azure Resource Manager to deploy applications.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Resource Manager in Azure Stack Hub allows you to deploy applications using declarative templates.

Which of the following are deployment methods supported by Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub?

  • A. FTP
  • B. Continuous deployment from Azure DevOps
  • C. Web Deploy
  • D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub supports all popular deployment methods including FTP, continuous deployment from Azure DevOps, and Web Deploy.

True or False: You cannot automate App Service tasks using Microsoft Azure PowerShell.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure Stack Hub lets you automate App Service tasks using Microsoft Azure PowerShell.

What is the maximum number of worker instances a Medium App Service Plan support?

  • A. 5
  • B. 8
  • C. 10
  • D. None of the above

Answer: A. 5

Explanation: A ‘Medium’ App Service plan can support up to five worker instances.

True or False: Azure Stack Hub supports both Serverless Computing and Microservices.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Stack Hub supports both Serverless Computing and Microservices to enable flexible application development and deployment.

What are the languages supported by Azure App Service for building web apps?

  • A. .NET, Java
  • B. Python, PHP
  • C. Node.js, Ruby
  • D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Azure App Service supports several languages for building web apps such as .NET, Java, Python, PHP, Node.js, and Ruby.

Interview Questions

What is the App Service resource provider in Azure Stack Hub?

App Service resource provider brings the core capabilities of Azure App Service to Azure Stack Hub, allowing developers to build, deploy, and scale enterprise-grade web, mobile, and API apps running on any platform.

How many fault domains and update domains does the App service scale unit support in Azure Stack Hub?

Azure Stack Hub supports only one fault domain and one update domain in an App service scale unit.

Why does deploying the App Service resource provider on Azure Stack Hub require two plans and offers?

Deployment of App Service resource provider involves setting up a plan for system services and another for tenant services. The system plan hosts the administrator portal, while the tenant plan hosts the tenant (or customer) apps.

Can I upgrade the App Service resource provider after its deployment?

Yes, Azure Stack Hub allows you to upgrade the App Service resource provider. You need to first deactivate the resource provider, perform the upgrade, and then reactivate it.

What is the difference between the terms “scale unit” and “worker tier” when deploying App Service on Azure Stack Hub?

A scale unit refers to one or more servers that host Azure App Service roles, while a worker tier defines the size and the number of instances of an App Service plan.

Why do we need an Azure Active Directory for deploying the App Service resource provider?

We need Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to authenticate users and applications. It serves as an identity service providing support for Multi-Factor Authentication, Conditional Access, and other secure features in Azure Stack Hub.

What specific roles does the App Service resource provider install on Azure Stack Hub?

The App Service resource provider installs three roles on Azure Stack Hub: controller role, publisher role, and a file server role, as well as one or more worker roles (referred to as Front End, Management, Publisher, and Web Worker roles.)

Which database system supports App Service resource provider in Azure Stack Hub?

The App Service resource provider in Azure Stack Hub supports Microsoft SQL Server. It stores the App Service infrastructure data, tenant app data, and the content of the Azure Functions Apps.

Can Azure Functions be deployed with App Service on Azure Stack Hub?

Yes, Azure Functions can be deployed with the App Service on Azure Stack Hub, which offers serverless compute.

Is it necessary to have a static public IP address when deploying the App Service resource provider?

Yes, it’s necessary to have a static public IP. This static public IP address must be reserved in Azure Stack Hub before you start the deployment.

Is it possible to uninstall the App Service Resource Provider from Azure Stack Hub?

Yes, it is possible to uninstall the App Service Resource Provider from Azure Stack Hub, however, the process requires specific steps, including disabling the provider, and deleting App Service plans and other associated resources.

What is the function of the Azure Resource Manager in App Service resource provider?

Azure Resource Manager handles the provisioning of App Service resources in the Azure Stack Hub environment. It coordinates and orchestrates the deployment, updating and deleting tasks related to these resources.

How can you check the health of the App Service resource provider in Azure Stack Hub?

You can check the health of the App Service resource provider by using the ‘Test-AzureStack’ PowerShell cmdlet. This will show the health status of all resource providers, including the App Service provider.

Can you use Azure Stack Hub’s Marketplace syndication to get App Service resource provider updates?

No, the App Service resource provider is not syndicated through the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace. Updates for the App Service resource provider must be downloaded and installed manually.

What is the purpose of an App Service plan in Azure Stack Hub?

An App Service plan in Azure Stack Hub defines a set of computational resources for a web application to run. These resources include the instance type and the number of instances, which are part of the worker tier.

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