Azure Archives

Recording available: ARM template deployment scripts

23/10/202023/10/2020
by Martin Ehrnst

In our Infrastructure as code live stream series, Marcel Zehner and I covered a new feature in the Azure IAC space. Namely deployment scripts. With deployment scripts for Azure, you can run PowerShell or Bash (CLI) scripts within your ARM templates.

You may have heard of Custom script extension for Azure Windows VMs, this is sort of the same thing. Making you able to call external systems during deployment, or perform the last-mile configuration to your infrastructure.

Deployment scripts recording

You can find all our recordings on youtube and all code examples on github

Azure

Recording available: Complex ARM templates

12/10/202012/10/2020
by Martin Ehrnst

Together with MVP and Regional Director, Marcel Zehner we are running four live streams on Azure Resource Manager deployments using ARM templates. Recording from our first live stream, Complex ARM templates is available now.

In this session, we covered how you should use parameters, functions, and dependencies to create more reusable code, and how to control the result of your user’s input.

You can find the recording on YouTube, and the script examples on GitHub

More ARM template live streams

We have three more ARM template live streams planned- hopefully we will see you there:

Nested & linked ARM templates
Date & Time: October 12, 2020, 5PM CEST
Registration: https://lnkd.in/deW4xXJ
Attendee Link: https://lnkd.in/dz_WgyW

Deployment scripts
Date & Time: October 19, 2020, 5PM CEST
Registration: https://lnkd.in/dhEYeMr

Code release using pipelines
Date & Time: October 26, 2020, 5PM CEST
Registration: https://lnkd.in/d_JuDuv

Automation

Remediate Azure Policy with PowerShell

11/06/202011/06/2020
by Martin Ehrnst

Azure Policy is there to help us with properly governed and secure infrastructure. However, Azure Policy requires management as well.

Lately, I have built a new set of policies to ensure diagnostic logs are forwarded to Azure Monitor Logs. Multiple policies and a policy initiative were deployed to multiple subscriptions and multiple customers. All this was made possible since we manage through Azure Lighthouse.

Automatic remediation of Azure Policy

The challenge faced after deploying the policy was how to remediate them. Since policies with effect ‘deployIfNotExists’ only apply to new or modified resources, I faced the job with clicking in the portal or figure out a way to do this with PowerShell.
I actually started with the portal, as I thought it would be a quick job. After doing one or two subscriptions I realized how much time I would use.

Given the fact that the imitative it self contained around 50 individual policies, and at the time 19 subscriptions. I figured spending some time in PowerShell was well worth it. There is also a pretty good chance I will find my self in the same situation pretty soon.

Create remediation task with PowerShell

To create a remediation task for a policy set you can use this script. It will connect to your subscription and get all non-compliant policies. Then start a policy remediation task for the individual policies.

Summary

Policies with effect “deployIfNotExist” only work for resources that are updated or created after the policy was applied. To remediate existing resources you will have to create the remediation tasks manually through the portal, or by using PowerShell (and REST API)

By the way, fellow Azure MVP Tao Yang has created everything you need in order to enable these policies your self. Please see GitHub for complete ARM templates. And please help him maintain everything by contributing.

Azure

Multiple Azure credentials in PowerShell

06/05/202002/09/2020
by Martin Ehrnst

Environments in Azure are often separated into multiple subscriptions, in some cases multiple tenants. This sectioning can also result in multiple user accounts, and managing multiple Azure credentials can be challenging. Luckily, Azure PowerShell has this capability called context.

Although the documentation is solid on the topic. It doesn’t necessarily provide the backdrop for when you will need to use this feature.

A few weeks ago I had to move a set of APIs from one instance of Azure API management to another. With PowerShell contexts, I could download the API from the origin and import it to the new instance.

Connecting to multiple Azure environments using context

To hold credential information, like user and subscription. PowerShell uses context objects. By using AzContext comandlets You can have multiple Powershell Azure contexts available in the same PowerShell session. This allows for easy switching between multiple environments and profiles. Including different tenants.

Below is an example of how you can connect to multiple tenants and switch between the credentials and contexts. I recommend using friendly names which will make them easier to identify.

Azure PowerShell context

Azure

Jumpstart your Azure Monitor journey

08/04/202008/04/2020
by Martin Ehrnst

For the past decade, monitoring has been my main responsibility. I have had my hands on many of the enterprise monitoring systems out there, but System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) is where most of my working hours were spent. Now, I spend my time in Azure and since monitoring is relevant in public cloud as well. Azure Monitor is now my primary tool for my applications (and servers).

I know that starting off with an entirely new monitoring platform can be challenging, at best. Instead of figuring out all bits and pieces by yourself, I will introduce you to the key features of Azure Monitor, such as visualization and alerting. I will also briefly touch on the more advanced capabilities like custom log injection using Azure Monitors REST API.

After reading this you should have the basic knowledge on how to monitor your applications and servers using Azure Monitor. Details related to the various topics can be found in the official Azure Monitor documentation

Azure Monitor Logs

Logs in Azure Monitor is backed by a Log Analytics workspace. To fully utilize Azure Monitor, a Log Analytics workspace is mandatory.

With Logs, you can extend your Azure Activity Log retention, collect and analyze Server Event Logs (both built-in and custom logs are supported). Azure Monitor Logs or Log Analytics is Microsoft equivalent to for example Splunk.

To perform analysis and query data, you use a language called KQL.

Guest blog for Nigel Frank

This is a piece written for Nigel Frank Internationals Azure Blog. Click here to continue reading this post on how to jumpstart your Azure Monitor jurney

Recording available: ARM template deployment scripts

Deployment scripts recording

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Recording available: Complex ARM templates

More ARM template live streams

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Remediate Azure Policy with PowerShell

Automatic remediation of Azure Policy

Create remediation task with PowerShell

Summary

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Multiple Azure credentials in PowerShell

Connecting to multiple Azure environments using context

Azure PowerShell context

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Jumpstart your Azure Monitor journey

Azure Monitor Logs

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