📖 Introduction
📚 What is Microsoft Azure ?
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft. It is designed for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers. Azure offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services, including those for computing, analytics, storage, and networking, which enable organizations to achieve more with their cloud solutions.
Three Main Components of Azure Cloud
Azure's robust cloud ecosystem is primarily built on three main components, each serving a unique and critical function within the Azure infrastructure :
- Azure Active Directory (AAD)
Azure Active Directory (AAD) is a cloud-based identity and access management service. It helps employees sign in and access resources such as external resources (Microsoft Office 365, the Azure portal, and thousands of other SaaS applications) and internal resources (apps on your corporate network and intranet, along with any cloud apps developed by your organization).
Key features of AAD include :
Single Sign-On (SSO): Provides users with one set of credentials to access multiple applications. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds a second layer of security by requiring a second form of identification. Conditional Access: Controls access based on conditions such as user location, device state, and user behavior.
- Azure Resource Manager (ARM)
Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is the deployment and management service for Azure. It provides a management layer that enables you to create, update, and delete resources in your Azure account. ARM allows you to manage your infrastructure through declarative templates rather than scripts, enabling consistent deployment and management.
Key features of ARM include :
Resource Grouping: Organizes resources into groups for easier management and deployment. Template Deployment: Deploys resources through JSON templates, enabling infrastructure as code. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Controls access to resources based on user roles, enhancing security and compliance.
- Office 365 (O365)
Office 365 (O365) is a suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools that includes well-known applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. Integrated with Azure, Office 365 leverages cloud technology to enhance productivity and collaboration across organizations.
Key features of Office 365 include :
Cloud Storage: Offers OneDrive and SharePoint for file storage and sharing. Collaboration Tools: Includes Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration. Regular Updates: Ensures that users have access to the latest features and security updates.