Azure CLI is an exceptionally powerful command-line tool with cross-platform scriptability, that allows users to manage resources in Azure Stack Hub and Azure. For those preparing for the AZ-600 exam, understanding how to enable and configure Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub is important, as it enhances resource management in Hybrid Cloud operations.
Installing Azure CLI on Azure Stack Hub
To enable Azure CLI, the first step is to install it. You need to have the appropriate version of Azure CLI installed on your system that supports Azure Stack Hub.
You can install Azure CLI using the following command:
curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash
For other installation methods best suited for your operating system, please refer to the official Microsoft Azure documentation.
Connecting to Azure Stack Hub using Azure CLI
Once installed successfully, the next step is to connect the Azure CLI to your Azure Stack Hub. You can connect Azure CLI to Azure Stack Hub by logging in to your Azure Stack Hub account using the below command:
az login –tenant <DirectoryTenantId> –service-principal -u <ApplicationId> -p <AuthCert> –allow-no-subscriptions
Make sure to replace the placeholders with your Directory Tenant ID, Application ID, and Authentication Certificate.
Setting the API Profile
After connecting to Azure Stack Hub, you have to set the appropriate API profile to use Azure CLI with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub. You can set your profile to the latest version that supports Azure Stack Hub using the following command:
az cloud update –profile 2019-03-01-hybrid
Please note that you might require a different API version depending on your Azure Stack Hub version. Always refer to the Azure Stack Hub API version profiles documentation to choose the right profile for your operations.
Using Azure CLI with Azure Stack Hub
Now that everything is set up, you can start using Azure CLI to manage your resources in Azure Stack Hub. You can perform various operations like viewing resources, creating new resources, updating existing resources, and deleting resources using Azure CLI.
Here is an example to create a Storage account in Azure Stack Hub:
az storage account create –name mystorageaccount –resource-group MyResourceGroup –location local –sku Standard_LRS
Where:
- The `name` option is the name of your new storage account.
- The `resource-group` option is the name of the resource group your storage account is associated with.
- The `location` option should be set as `local` for Azure Stack Hub.
- The `sku` option is the type of storage account.
Review for AZ-600 Exam
In exam AZ-600, you might encounter questions related to enabling Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub. Understanding the installation, login process, API profile settings, and basic operations of Azure CLI are essential to score well for this domain.
With Azure CLI, managing your Hybrid Cloud operations can be made simpler and efficient. It provides you the capability to automate the management tasks using scripts, which can save a lot of time and improve productivity. It is a crucial tool for every Azure Stack Hub operator and must be utilized to its fullest.
Practice Test
True or False: Azure CLI is a command-line interface for managing Azure Stack Hub resources.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure CLI is a tool that provides a command-line interface for managing Azure resources, including Azure Stack Hub.
Which of the following Azure interfaces is command-line based?
- A. Azure Portal
- B. Azure CLI
- C. Azure Bicep
- D. Azure ARM
Answer: B. Azure CLI
Explanation: Azure CLI is a command-line tool for managing Azure resources. Whereas, Azure Portal is a web-based interface, and Azure Bicep and Azure ARM are infrastructural code languages.
Enable Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub users can be done via ___________.
- A. Azure Portal
- B. PowerShell
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Enabling Azure CLI can be done via the Azure Portal and also using PowerShell.
True or False: Azure CLI is installed by default on all Azure Stack Hub deployments.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure CLI is not installed by default. Users or admins must install it manually.
Multiple Azure subscriptions can be managed simultaneously with ________.
- A. Azure CLI
- B. Azure Portal
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Both Azure CLI and Azure Portal allow users to manage multiple Azure subscriptions.
Azure CLI is not available in _____________.
- A. Windows
- B. macOS
- C. Linux
- D. None of the Above
Answer: D. None of the Above
Explanation: Azure CLI is available in all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
To use Azure CLI with Azure Stack Hub, Azure CLI version should be _______ or later.
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Answer: A. 0
Explanation: Azure CLI version 0 or later is required to work with Azure Stack Hub.
The correct command to install Azure CLI is ________.
- A. Install-AzCli
- B. az install cli
- C. az cli install
- D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above
Explanation: The proper command does not present in the options. Azure CLI can be installed using various methods such as using apt for Linux environments or an MSI installer for Windows.
True or False: Azure CLI offers graphical interface for managing resources on Azure Stack Hub.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure CLI is a command-line interface and does not provide a graphical user interface (GUI).
The Azure Stack Hub Profile used for the Azure CLI environment is set by using the command _________.
- A. az set –name
- B. az cloud register
- C. az cloud set
- D. az profile set
Answer: C. az cloud set
Explanation: The ‘az cloud set’ command is used to set the Azure Stack Hub Profile.
You must have the _______ permission to deploy Azure Stack Hub.
- A. Global Administrator
- B. User Administrator
- C. Billing Administrator
- D. Service Administrator
Answer: A. Global Administrator
Explanation: The user must have a Global Administrator permission to deploy and configure Azure Stack Hub.
True or False: Azure CLI can be used to script Azure tasks in JavaScript.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While Azure CLI commands are commonly used in batch files, shell scripts, or other scripting languages, JavaScript is not directly used for scripting Azure CLI tasks.
You can install Azure CLI using
- A. PowerShell
- B. Command Prompt
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Azure CLI can be installed using either PowerShell or Command Prompt on Windows, or Terminal on Linux and macOS.
Azure CLI allows management of
- A. Azure resources
- B. Azure Stack Hub resources
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Azure CLI provides a command-line interface allowing the management of both Azure resources and Azure Stack Hub resources.
True or False: Azure CLI supports all Azure Stack Hub services.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure CLI supports many Azure Stack Hub services, but not all of them. The level of support is specific to the version of Azure Stack Hub and the Azure CLI version.
Interview Questions
What is Azure CLI?
Azure CLI is a command line tool for managing Azure resources. It is designed for managing Azure resources directly from the terminal, either interactively or through scripts.
What is Azure Stack Hub?
Azure Stack Hub is a hybrid cloud platform that lets you provide Azure services from your datacenter. It’s a part of Microsoft’s Azure Stack portfolio which extends Azure services and capabilities on-premises.
How do you install Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub?
To install Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub, you can use the standard installation methods for your platform, such as apt for Ubuntu, yum for CentOS and brew for MacOS.
Which version of Azure CLI should be used for the Azure Stack Hub?
For Azure Stack Hub, at least Azure CLI version 2.0.67 is recommended, as it includes all the necessary commands for working with Azure Stack.
How can a user log in to Azure Stack Hub using Azure CLI?
A user can log in to Azure Stack Hub using Azure CLI by using the ‘az login’ command and providing their credentials.
What environment variables need to be set when using Azure CLI with Azure Stack Hub?
The following environment variables need to be set: AZURE_CLI_AZURE_STACK_MODE=true and ARM_CLOUD_METADATA_URL=<your Azure Stack Hub instance’s metadata endpoint>.
How do you configure Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub?
To configure Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub, set the base URL for the Azure Resource Manager by running ‘az cloud register’. Also, modify the profile and set the version of the Azure Stack Hub environment by running ‘az cloud update’.
What command can be used to list all the Azure Stack Hub accounts on Azure CLI?
The ‘az account list’ command displays all the Azure accounts available in the Azure CLI’s context.
Why is it necessary to enable Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub users?
Enabling Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub users allows them to manage Azure Stack resources directly from the command line, in a way that’s consistent with the way they manage resources in Azure.
How to update the profile version in Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub?
Use the command ‘az cloud update’ with the ‘–profile’ flag to set the version of the Azure Stack Hub environment.
How can we uninstall Azure CLI from Azure Stack Hub?
The uninstall process depends on the way Azure CLI was installed. Usually, it involves using the package manager specific to your platform (like apt, yum or brew) to remove the packages.
Can we use both Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI simultaneously in Azure Stack Hub?
Yes, both Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell can be used simultaneously as they provide two different ways for managing resources in Azure Stack Hub.
Can Azure CLI be used to manage both Azure and Azure Stack Hub simultaneously?
Yes, Azure CLI can manage both Azure and Azure Stack Hub resources. However, Azure Stack Hub must be registered as a cloud in Azure CLI, and you must switch the active cloud between Azure and Azure Stack Hub as needed.
Does Azure CLI support all Azure Stack Hub services?
Azure CLI supports many of the Azure Stack Hub services, but there might be some limitations based on the Azure Stack Hub version and the specifics of the service.
Do we need to run commands as a root user to install Azure CLI for Azure Stack Hub?
No, it is not mandatory to run the commands as root user for installing Azure CLI. However, some commands might need elevated privileges depending on your system configuration and the method of installation.