Download and deploy Azure Stack PowerShell tools

Azure Stack Hub, part of Microsoft’s Hybrid Cloud offerings, is quickly becoming a go-to solution for organisations looking to maximise their use of both on-premise and cloud resources. To manage and operate Azure Stack Hub effectively, users will need to familiarize themselves with a variety of tools, including Azure Stack PowerShell. In this post, we’ll focus on how you can download and deploy Azure Stack PowerShell tools, a crucial step toward mastering the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub exam.

Overview of Azure Stack PowerShell

Azure Stack PowerShell is a set of cmdlets specifically designed to manage Azure Stack Hub resources. They allow you to create, read, update and delete resources in your Azure Stack Hub, such as virtual machines, storage accounts, and network interfaces. PowerShell provides a robust and flexible scripting language, which makes it a powerful tool to administer Azure Stack resources.

Downloading Azure Stack PowerShell

Before you can start working with Azure Stack PowerShell, you first need to download and install it. The process involves installing Azure Stack compatible Azure PowerShell module.

Here are the steps:

• Install the PowerShellGet module if you haven’t already.
  You can install PowerShellGet using the command:

Install-Module -Name PowerShellGet -Force -AllowClobber

• Install the AzureRM module.

Install-Module -Name AzureRM -RequiredVersion 2.4.0

• If you’re using Azure Stack with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), install Azure Stack PowerShell Module.

Install-Module -Name AzureStack -RequiredVersion 1.7.2

Deploying Azure Stack PowerShell

Once the Azure Stack PowerShell is downloaded, you can deploy Azure Stack Hub by running commands in the Azure Stack PowerShell. Before you use the Azure Stack tools, you must connect to your Azure Stack Hub environment.

1. Import the downloaded module using the command:

Import-Module AzureRM
Import-Module AzureStack

2. Connect to your Azure Stack Hub environment by running the `Add-AzureRMEnvironment` command with necessary parameters such as the environment name, ARM endpoint.
   For example:

$envName = "AzureStackUser"
$domain = "local.azurestack.external"
$ArmEndpoint = "https://management.$domain"
Add-AzureRMEnvironment -Name $envName -ArmEndpoint $ArmEndpoint

3. Once connected, be sure to authenticate your account to Azure Stack Hub using `Login-AzureRmAccount` cmdlet with your Azure Stack credentials.

Login-AzureRmAccount -EnvironmentName $envName -TenantId $tenantID

Replace “$tenantID” with your actual tenant ID.

By following these steps, you can effectively download and deploy Azure Stack PowerShell tools, making it easier to manage the Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub. Remember, hands-on experience and practice are key to passing the AZ-600 exam. Therefore, always make sure to put these steps into practice.

Practice Test

True or False: Azure Stack PowerShell tools can be downloaded from the PowerShell Gallery.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Azure Stack PowerShell tools are available to be downloaded from the PowerShell Gallery.

Which of the following is required prior to the deployment of Azure Stack PowerShell tools?

• a) Microsoft Azure account
• b) PowerShell 1
• c) Visual Studio Code
• d) All of the above

Answer: b) PowerShell 1

Explanation: Though having a Microsoft Azure account and Visual Studio Code can be relevant, it is only necessary to have PowerShell 1 installed prior to deploying the Azure Stack PowerShell tools.

True or False: Azure Stack PowerShell tools must be deployed using the Az module?

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Azure Stack PowerShell tools are built for the Az module and must be deployed using it.

True or False: You can check the installed versions of your Azure Stack related modules using the Get-Module command in PowerShell.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Get-Module command in PowerShell returns all the imported modules and their versions, including those related to Azure Stack.

Which version of .NET Framework should be installed for Azure Stack PowerShell tools to function properly?

• a) .NET Framework 5
• b) .NET Framework 5
• c) .NET Framework 2
• d) .NET Framework 8

Answer: c) .NET Framework 2

Explanation: To function properly, Azure Stack PowerShell tools require .NET Framework 2 or later installed.

True or False: You can run the Azure Stack PowerShell tools on Linux distributions.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Stack PowerShell tools are built on .NET Core and can be run on Windows, macOS and Linux distributions.

What is the command to install Azure Stack PowerShell tools in PowerShell?

• a) Install-AzureStackPS
• b) Install-Module -Name AzureStack.PowerShell
• c) Install-AzureStack -PowerShell Tools
• d) Install-Module -Name AzureStack -RequiredVersion 2

Answer: b) Install-Module -Name AzureStack.PowerShell

Explanation: The command to install Azure Stack PowerShell tools is Install-Module -Name AzureStack -RequiredVersion 2

True or False: To update Azure Stack PowerShell module, you can use the Update-Module cmdlet.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Update-Module cmdlet can be used to update the installed versions of any PowerShell module, including Azure Stack.

Which credential type is used when logging into Azure Stack via PowerShell?

• a) Azure AD credentials
• b) Local Windows credentials
• c) Both a and b
• d) None of the above

Answer: a) Azure AD credentials

Explanation: Azure Stack requires using Azure AD credentials when logging into Azure Stack via PowerShell.

True or False: The Azure Stack PowerShell tools can only be used with Azure Stack Hub.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: The Azure Stack PowerShell tools can be used to manage Azure Stack Hub, Azure Stack HCI and Azure Stack Edge.

Which of the following is not a requirement for Azure Stack PowerShell tools?

• a) PowerShell 1
• b) Internet Connection
• c) 8GB RAM
• d) .NET Framework 2

Answer: c) 8GB RAM

Explanation: Though 8GB RAM could improve performance, it is not a requirement for the Azure Stack PowerShell tools.

True or False: You’re required to disconnect from AzureStack operator’s session before connecting to user’s session?

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: You must disconnect from the Azure Stack operator’s session before you can connect to the user’s session, as the two cannot coexist simultaneously.

Which PowerShell command is used to check the version of Azure Stack?

• a) Get-AzureStackVersion
• b) Get-Module -ListAvailable #-Name AzureStack*
• c) Get-Stack -VersionCheck
• d) Check-AzureStackVersion -Get

Answer: b) Get-Module -ListAvailable #-Name AzureStack*

Explanation: Get-Module -ListAvailable #-Name AzureStack* command lists all modules that are installed in your session, including Azure Stack with its version.

True or False: You can use all cmdlets available in Azure PowerShell for Azure Stack.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure Stack only supports a subset of Azure PowerShell. Not all cmdlets available in Azure PowerShell can be used for Azure Stack.

Azure Stack PowerShell tools need to run on which operating system version at minimum?

• a) Windows 8
• b) Windows 7
• c) Windows 1
• d) Windows 10

Answer: d) Windows 10

Explanation: Azure Stack PowerShell tools need at minimum Windows 10 or newer to run successfully. Other supported systems include macOS X 11 and newer, as well as certain Linux distributions.

Interview Questions

What is the first step to download and deploy Azure Stack PowerShell tools?

The first step is to install PowerShell Az module. The Az module is the basis for Azure PowerShell and works with all Azure services.

What is the significance of PowerShell Az module in Azure Stack PowerShell tools?

The Az module is the main module for interacting with Azure services. It has cmdlets for managing resources generically across resource providers, or specifically within individual service providers.

What command can be used to install PowerShell Az module?

The command that can be used to install PowerShell Az module is

"Install-Module -Name Az -AllowClobber -Scope CurrentUser"

.

What permission is needed to install the PowerShell Az Module?

Administrator privilege is needed to install PowerShell Az Module.

How can you import the Az module into your PowerShell session?

You can import the Az module into your PowerShell session using the

"Import-Module Az"

command.

Which command should be used to install the Azure Stack Hub PowerShell Module?

The command to install the Azure Stack Hub PowerShell Module is

"Install-Module -Name Az.Bootstrapper -Force -AllowPrerelease"

.

What is the use of the Azure Stack Hub PowerShell Module?

This module is used to connect to Azure Stack Hub and access other resources it provides. It helps in managing and configuring resources within the Azure Stack Hub.

What command should you run to access the Azs module?

The command to access the Azs module is

"Update-Module -Name Az"

.

How can you sign in to your Azure Stack Hub account with PowerShell?

You can sign in to your Azure Stack Hub account using the command

"Connect-AzAccount"

.

What is the purpose of the "Use-AzsProfile" command in PowerShell?

The Use-AzsProfile command is used to switch between profiles. This includes managing Azure Stack Hub, Azure Government, and public Azure.

How can you verify if Azure Stack PowerShell tools are ready for use?

To verify if Azure Stack PowerShell tools are ready for use, you can execute the command

"Get-Module -ListAvailable Azs*"

.

What command should be used to use the identity of a logged-in user to interact with Azure Stack Hub services?

The command to use the identity of a logged-in user to interact with Azure Stack Hub services is

"Add-AzEnvironment"

.

What should you do to ensure that you have access to all of the latest features and improvements of Azure Stack PowerShell?

You should update the Azure Stack PowerShell module to have access to all of the latest features and improvements of Azure Stack PowerShell.

What command do you use to update Azure Stack PowerShell module?

The command to update the Azure Stack PowerShell module can be done using

"Update-AzModule"

.

Does Azure Stack PowerShell support PowerShell 5.1?

Yes, Azure Stack PowerShell supports PowerShell 5.1 and above.