Azure Weekly Issue 293: 27th September 2020

Welcome to issue 293 of Azure Weekly, and it's all about Microsoft Ignite 2020 this week! So many announcements, I can't really even cover them all in the editorial, so I'll pull out the items I think are most interesting and leave you to scan the categories that are relevant or you can read the Ignite Book of News, watch the highlights here, and all of the sessions are available on the Ignite site. One interesting observation is that although a few new services were unveiled, feature announcements happen every week and don't really seem to be batched up for events like Build or Ignite anymore.

New services include Azure Automanage (automate daily management tasks), Azure Resource Mover (move resources between regions), Backup Center (unified management experience), Azure Orbital (Ground Station as a Service), and finally Azure Communication Service which seems to be a direct competitor to (the excellent) Twilio. I was most interested to see some of the announcements in the data & analytics space - particularly around Azure Synapse (see the Analytics section).

There is also quite a bit of content around identity this week, first we've been building out a SaaS platform, and published an article about our learnings: a simple invite user flow for AAD B2C without custom policies. There are also updates for Azure AD authentication features for Azure SQL DB, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure SQL Managed Instance, and a hot topic with our customers: Identity at Microsoft Ignite: Rising to the challenges of secure remote access and employee productivity. Many orgs need to re-evaluate their identity & security defaults; requiring a VPN connection before you can authenticate is a huge barrier to remote access, productivity, and services like Autopilot.

Other highlights of interest include What's new in Azure SQL Managed Instance at Ignite 2020, and new maintenance control features for performance sensitive workloads.

From a skills and learning perspective, there's a new IoT Event Learning Path, and you can Join the Microsoft Ignite Cloud Skills Challenge 2020.

AI + Machine Learning

Covering: Anomaly detector, Azure Bot Service, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Open Datasets, Bing APIs, Cognitive Services, Computer Vision, Content moderator, Custom vision, Data Science Virtual Machines, Face, Form Recogniser, Immersive Reader, Ink Recogniser, Language Understanding (LUIS), Machine Learning Studio, Microsoft Genomics, ML.NET, Personaliser, Project Cortex, QnA Maker, Speaker Recognition, Speech-to-Text, Speech translation, Text Analytics, Text to Speech , Translator Speech, Translator Text

• On Channel 9, Seth Juarez (@sethjuarez) introduces a new cognitive service - Metrics Advisor
• On the Azure blog, Eric Boyd (@eric_boyd) explains how to Build powerful and responsible AI solutions with Azure
• Also on the Azure blog, John 'jg' Chirapurath writes about Mixed Reality Momentum: HoloLens 2 expands globally and new Azure service launches
• On the Azure blog, Scott Van Vliet discusses how to Build rich communication experiences at scale with Azure Communication Services
• Also on Channel 9, Adina Trufinesco talks about Computer Vision for Spatial Analysis

Analytics

Covering: Apache Spark for HDInsight, Apache Storm for HDInsight, Azure Analysis Services, Azure Data Explorer, Azure Data Share, Azure Databricks, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Synapse Analytics, Data Catalog, Data Factory, Data Lake Analytics, Event Hubs, HDInsight, .NET for Apache Spark, R Server for HDInsight

• James Serra (@JamesSerra) runs through some Azure Synapse Analytics overlooked features
• On the MSSQL Tips site, Fikrat Azizov explains how you can Explore Your Data Lake Data Easily with Azure Synapse Analytics
• The Azure updates team announces that you can now Accelerate analytics and AI workloads with Photon powered Delta Engine on Azure Databricks, and has made a few announcements around Synapse Analytics:
  High throughput output from Stream Analytics to Azure Synapse Analytics General Availability,
  Column-level encryption for Azure Synapse Analytics,
  COPY command now generally available in Azure Synapse Analytics
  and New MERGE command for Azure Synapse Analytics
• On the Microsoft BI Tools blog, Mark de Groot describes Using global parameters in Azure Data Factory
• Also on the Azure blog, Yves Pitsch introduces Azure Orbital: Process satellite data at cloud-scale

Compute

Covering: Azure CycleCloud, Azure Dedicated Host, Azure Functions, Azure VMware Solution by CloudSimple, Batch, Cloud Services, Linux Virtual Machines, SAP HANA on Azure Large Instances, Service Fabric, Virtual Machines, Virtual Machine Scale Sets

• On the DEV site, Simona Cotin (@simona_cotin) writes: GraphQL and Serverless walk into a bar. A recipe to infinitely scale APIs
• Gregor Suttie (@gregor_suttie) highlights the Create Serverless event
• Sam Cogan (@samcogan) provides support on: I Can't Access Service X On My Virtual Machine 

Containers

Covering: Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Red Hat OpenShift, CNAB, CNCF, Container Instances, Container Registry, Porter, WSL, Web App for Containers

• The Azure updates team announces the general availability of Azure Kubernetes Service support for new base image Ubuntu 18.04, Azure Kubernetes Service mutate default storage class feature, and Policy add-on for Azure Kubernetes Service and the public preview of Azure role-based access control RBAC for Kubernetes authorization
• On the Azure Developer Community Blog, Brendan Burns (@brendandburns) blogs about Enterprise grade Kubernetes on Azure
• On The Azure Podcast, Tom Kerkhove (@TomKerkhove) talks about KEDA
• On Channel 9, Chad Metcalf (@metcalfc) talks about Code to Cloud with Docker and Azure Container Instances
• On Azure Medium, Krishnakumar Rukmangathan discusses Kubernetes storage on Azure (Part 1) and Part 2

Databases

Covering: Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MariaDB, Azure Database for MySQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Database Edge, Azure Cache for Redis, SQL Data Warehouse, SQL Server on virtual machines, SQL Server Stretch Database, Table storage

• The Azure updates team announces the General availability of zone redundant configuration for Azure SQL Database in additional regions, that Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server now in preview and highlights Redis Enterprise features on Azure Cache for Redis coming soon
• Mark Heath (@mark_heath) writes about Faster Querying with Serverless Materialized Views
• On Channel 9, Rohit Nayak discusses How to Secure Azure SQL Database by Setting Minimal TLS Version
• On the Azure SQL Database blog, Denzil Ribeiro (@DenzilRibeiro) discusses Database copy preview on Azure SQL Database Hyperscale
• On the Azure blog, Rohan Kumar explains how to Achieve agility with Azure Data in a changing world
• On the SQL Server Blog, Julie Koesmarno explains how to Analyze data in Azure Data Explorer using Kusto Query Language (KQL) extension in Azure Data Studio

Developer Tools

Covering: App Configuration, Azure Lab Services, CLIs, Developer tool integrations, SDKs, Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio Online

• Adam Listek talks about Getting Started Managing Docker with VS Code
• The Azure updates team announces that you can now Debug API Management policies in real time and discusses Visual Studio Code extension diagnostics + periscope
• On the Visual Studio blog, Angelos Petropoulos describes how Using GitHub Actions in Visual Studio is as easy as right-click and Publish
• Also on the Visual Studio blog, Nick Greenfield highlights the General availability of Bridge to Kubernetes
• Tobias Zimmergren (@zimmergren) lists his Favorite Visual Studio Code Extensions for Azure

DevOps

Covering: Azure Artifacts, Azure Boards, Azure DevOps, Azure Pipelines, Azure Repos, Azure Test Plans, Azure DevTest Labs, DevOps tool integrations

• Mariano Gomez discusses Power Platform: Application Lifecycle Management Part 2/3 - Solutions and DevOps
• On the .NET Curry blog, Gouri Sohoni blogs about Source Control in Azure DevOps Best practices
• On the Black Marble blog, Richard Fennell (@richardfennell) describes How to handle PRs for Azure DevOps YAML Pipelines if the YAML templates are in a different repo
• On the Microsoft DevOps blog, Helen Huang (@herenhuang) covers Optimizing package storage and costs
• Also on the Microsoft DevOps blog, Justin Chung discusses Azure DevOps Services to end support for Internet Explorer 11 and legacy version of Microsoft Edge
• Also on the Microsoft DevOps blog, as always, Steven Murawski (@StevenMurawski) lists the Top Stories from the Microsoft DevOps Community
• Thomas Thornton (@tamstar1234) discusses Deploying Terraform from develop to production consecutively using Azure DevOps
• Kevin Chant lists some Tips about using both Azure DevOps and GitHub together for SQL Server deployments

Hybrid

Covering: Azure Arc, Azure Stack

• John Joyner (@john_joyner) describes Azure Arc: One agent to manage them all
• Thomas Maurer (@thomasmaurer) discusses Azure Stack Hardware Augmented Reality AR Experience App and introduces the Azure Stack Hub Partner Solutions Series – Byte
• On ZDNet, Mary Jo Foley highlights: Microsoft adds more devices and services to its Azure Stack hybrid line-up
• On the Azure blog, Julia White (@julwhite) walks through how you can Bring innovation anywhere with Azures multi-cloud, multi-edge hybrid capabilities
• The Azure updates team announces Configurable Backup Storage Redundancy option for Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure Arc enabled data services now in preview
• On the SQL Server Blog, Alan Yu (@AlanYuSQL) highlights that The September 2020 release of Azure Data Studio is now available
• On Channel 9, Allan Hirt talks about Hybrid Disaster Recovery Scenarios for SQL Server
• On the Azure SQL Database blog, Mladen Andzic walks through Hosting SSRS databases in Azure SQL Managed Instance
• Also on the Azure SQL Database blog, Uros Milanovic blogs about how to Track progress of SQL Managed Instance create/scale request and Configuring backup storage redundancy in Azure SQL
• Also on the Azure SQL Database blog, Vladimir Ivanovic announces major performance improvements for Azure SQL Database Managed Instances
• On the MSSQL Tips site, Mohammed Moinudheen explains how to Restore TDE Enabled Azure SQL DB to On-Premises Server
• On the Kemp Technologies blog, Kurt Jung covers how Legacy applications + AzureAD = Secure Hybrid Access (SHA)
• Also on the Azure SQL Database blog, Borko Novakovic (@borko_novakovic) covers Whats new in Azure SQL Managed Instance at Ignite 2020

Identity

Covering: Azure Active Directory (AD), Azure Active Directory B2C, Azure Active Directory Domain Services

• On the endjin blog, James Broome walks through A simple invite user flow for AAD B2C without custom policies
• Alan Kinane (@Azure_Alan) discusses Azure Lighthouse
• Damien Bowden (@damien_bod) covers Securing Azure Functions using Azure AD JWT Bearer token authentication for user access tokens
• On Channel 9, Matthijs Hoekstra (@mahoekst) talks about Service principles and app registration
• The Azure updates team announces Azure AD authentication features for Azure SQL DB, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure SQL Managed Instance
• On the Microsoft blog, Joy Chik (@joychik) discusses Identity at Microsoft Ignite: Rising to the challenges of secure remote access and employee productivity

Integration

Covering: Azure API for FHIR, Event Grid, Logic Apps, Service Bus

• The Azure updates team announces Logic Apps updated with new hosting options, improved performance and developer workflows
• On the Azure Developer Community Blog, Jon Fancey (@jonfancey) runs through the New Logic Apps runtime, performance and developer improvements
• On the Codit blog, Tom Kerkhove (@TomKerkhove) writes about Why Running Azure Logic Apps Anywhere is a Game Changer
• The Azure updates team announces that Private Azure Marketplace is in public preview

Internet of Things

Covering: Azure Digital Twins, Azure IoT Central, Azure IoT Edge, Azure IoT Hub, Azure IoT solution accelerators, Azure Maps, Azure Sphere, Azure Time Series Insights, IoT DevKit, WildernessLabs, Windows 10 IoT Core Services

• On the Azure blog, Sam George (@samjgeorge) explains How Azure IoT enables business resilience
• On the Azure blog, Galen Hunt discusses AT&T powered guardian device with Azure Sphere enables highly secured, simple, and scalable connectivity from anywhere
• The Azure updates team a New IoT Event Learning Path, highlights that Azure Object Anchors is now in private preview and announces that Windows IoT Microsoft Edge Kiosk Mode is in public preview
• On the SQL Server Blog, John 'jg' Chirapurath writes about Real-time data intelligence and security at the edge with Azure SQL Edge

Learning

Covering: Microsoft Certifications, Azure Certifications, Microsoft Learning Paths, Certification Pathway Information

• Thomas Maurer (@thomasmaurer) explains how to Join the Microsoft Ignite Cloud Skills Challenge 2020
• The Azure updates team announces the unified Azure Certified Device program
• On the DEV site, Arkodyuti Saha writes: Join us at AIDevDay!
• Also on the DEV site, Nitya Narasimhan describes Let's Talk About Learning & App Development (Ignite)
• Adam Marczak (@MarczakIO) has continued with the AZ-900 path, covering: Azure Artificial Intelligence (AI) Services - Machine Learning Studio & Service and Azure Serverless Computing Services Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid
• On the Azure Developer Community Blog, Shayne Boyer (@spboyer) gives an overview of Ignite - Azure Advocates Weekly Round Up

Management and Governance

Covering: Automation, Azure Advisor, Azure Backup, Azure Blueprints, Azure Lighthouse, Azure Managed Applications, Azure mobile app, Azure Monitor, Azure Policy, Azure Resource Manager, Azure Service Health, Azure Site Recovery, Cloud Shell, Cost Management, Microsoft Azure portal, Sceduler

• On the MSSQL Tips site, Kenneth Omorodion blogs about Setting up Azure Log Analytics to Monitor Performance of an Azure Resource
• The Azure updates team writes about New maintenance control features
• On the DEV site, Jay Gordon (@jaydestro) walks through how to Create a Azure Linux Virtual Machine
• Charbel Nemnom (@charbelnemnom) explains how to Manage Windows Server in the Azure Portal With Windows Admin Center
• On the Azure blog, Erin Chapple (@erinchapple) describes how to Unlock cost savings and maximize value with new Azure infrastructure innovation
• Sarah Lean (@TechieLass) writes: What is an Azure Landing Zone?
• Daniel Neumann (@neumanndaniel) gives an Introduction to Azure Resource Mover
• Jaliya Udagedara (@JaliyaUdagedara) discusses using Azure Durable Functions for Monitoring

Media

Covering: Azure Media Player, Content Protection, Encoding, Live and On-Demand Streaming, Media Analytics, Media Services, Video Indexer

• On BizTalk Gurus, Sandro Pereira (@sandro_asp) highlights the Microsoft Integration and Azure Stencils Pack for Visio: New major version available v7.0.0

Migration

Covering: Azure Database Migration Service, Azure Migrate, Data Box

• Robert Smit (@Clustermvp) discusses Azure Migration Services
• On the Azure blog, Navneet Joneja describes how to Run your core applications on Azure
• On the Azure blog, Omar Khan walks through Designing your cloud strategy to maximize value on Azure
• Also on the Azure blog, Arpan Shah (@arpanshah) blogs about how to Gain IT efficiency for Windows Server with new Azure innovation
• The Azure updates team announces that Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare will be generally available on October 30, 2020

Mobile

Covering: App Service (Mobile), Mobile apps, Notification Hubs, Visual Studio App Centre, Xamarin

Networking

Covering: Application Gateway, Azure Bastion, Azure DNS, Azure ExpressRoute, Azure Firewall, Azure Firewall Manager, Azure Front Door, Azure Internet Analyzer, Azure Private Link, Content Delivery Network, Load Balancer, Network Watcher, Traffic Manager, Virtual Network, Virtual WAN, VPN Gateway, Web Application Firewall

• The Azure updates team announces Azure Stream Analytics clusters with VNet support Preview

Security

Covering: Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Information Protection, Azure Sentinel, Key Vault, Security Center

• On ZDNet, Liam Tung (@LiamT) covers Azure-based Sentinel security gets new analytics to spot threats in odd behavior
• On the Azure blog, Eric Doerr explains how to Protect multi-cloud workloads with new Azure security innovations
• The Azure updates team announces that Azure Private Link Services is available in China
• On Azure Medium, Mohit Gupta (@MohitGu48372760) provides an Introduction to Azure Policy
• Joonas Westlin (@JoonasWestlin) discusses Using Azure RBAC with Azure Key Vault
• On the Microsoft blog, Alym Rayani walks through how to Enable secure remote work, address regulations and uncover new risks with Microsoft Compliance
• On the Azure blog, Ben Koehl and Joe Hannon discuss Detecting empires in the cloud

Storage

Covering: Archive Storage, Avere vFXT for Azure, Azure Data Lake Store, Azure FXT Edge Filer, Azure HPC Cache, Azure NetApp Files, Blob Storage, Disk Storage, File Storage, Managed Disks, Queue Storage, Storage Accounts, Storage Explorer, StorSimple

• The Azure updates team announces that Azure Blob storage point-in-time restore is now generally available

Web

Covering: API apps, API Management, App Service (Web), Azure Cognitive Search, Azure SignalR Service, Azure Spring Cloud, Web apps

• Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) covers Blazor WebAssembly on Azure Static Web Apps
• On Microsoft + Open Source, Mark Chmarny And Vladimir Vinogradsky announce Dapr integration in Azure API Management Service
• On the Azure SQL Database blog, Davide Mauri (@mauridb) describes TodoMVC Full Stack with Azure Static WebApps, Node and Azure SQL
• On the DEV site, Chris Noring (@chris_noring) explains how to Deploy your .NET Core Blazor app in minutes with Azure Static Web apps

Windows Virtual Desktop

Covering: Windows Virtual Desktop

• Roelf Zomerman (@RCZ_Jag) discusses Windows Virtual Desktop – Require MFA
• Christiaan Brinkhoff (@Brinkhoff_C) describes ARM-based model - generally available deployment walkthrough on Windows Virtual Desktop
• Travis Roberts (@Ciraltos) explains how to Enable MFA for WVD ARM