Azure Weekly Issue 298: 1st November 2020
This is our 6th anniversary edition! We launched the newsletter on the 2nd November 2014; Azure looked very different back then! I just wanted to say a big thank-you to the thousands of subscribers all over the world, who take the time to read this newsletter, and to the people who proudly email me to share the blog posts they have written.
First up, Carmel Eve has just published her building a secure data solution using Azure Data Lake Store talk from SQLBits 2020. Well worth a watch if you are thinking of adopting Azure Data Lake - the talk is packed full of real world learnings from various projects we've delivered over the past 5 years. MVP Ian Griffiths has also published his SQLBits talk Navigating the Bewildering Array of Data Services in Azure, which is a 40 minute whistle-stop-tour of all the Azure Data Services.
Another technology that we're particularly interested in is OpenAPI - if you're building Restful web services, it really is the most awesome technology. And now you can generate a new function app from an OpenAPI specification. This is very neat. We advocate the "design first" approach to OpenAPI specifications. So much that we have our own OSS project called Menes, which facillitates this approach.
Valentin Logvinskiy shares how to optimize Azure Machine Learning for IoT production usage, and there are two interesting stories about healthcare and Azure: Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare: Unlocking the power of health data for better care and Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare is now generally available.
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) provides an Intro to PyTorch Tutorial: Building fashion recognizer
- On the Azure Developer Community Blog, Sarah Guthals (@sarahguthals) writes: Check out new data science Learn modules inspired by the Netflix Original Over the Moon
- Damien Bowden (@damien_bod) walks through Using Azure Cognitive Search Suggesters in ASP.NET Core and Autocomplete
- On Azure Medium, Aaron Bornstein discusses Multi Node Distributed Training with PyTorch Lightning & Azure ML
- On Azure Tips and Tricks, Michael Crump (@mbcrump) lists 5 Things you didn't know about Azure Cognitive Services
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
- On the endjin YouTube channel, Carmel Eve (@Carmel_Eve) takes a deep dive into building a secure data solution using Azure Data Lake Store.
- On the MSSQL Tips site, Fikrat Azizov explains how to Explore SQL databases with Azure Synapse Analytics
- The Azure updates team announces that Azure Databricks is now available in Switzerland North
- On the Azure blog, Gregory Moore discusses Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare: Unlocking the power of health data for better care
- The Azure updates team announces that Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare is now generally available
- On the MSSQL Tips site, Ryan Kennedy provides a Deep Dive in Azure Databricks Cluster Creation Options
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
- The Azure updates team announces that Java 11 support for Azure Functions is now generally available, that you can now Register Your Azure SQL Virtual Machines with SQL Server IaaS Agent extension today and highlights that you need to Update to Data Science Virtual Machine Ubuntu 18.04
- Simon Waight (@simonwaight) discusses Reading and writing binary files with Python with Azure Functions input and output bindings
- Joonas Westlin (@JoonasWestlin) discusses Cleaning up Azure Durable Functions execution history
Containers
Covering: Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Red Hat OpenShift, CNAB, CNCF, Container Instances, Container Registry, Porter, WSL, Web App for Containers
- Jose Moreno (@erjosito) asks: Which VM size should I choose as AKS node?
- The Azure updates team highlights that Azure Red Hat OpenShift 3.11 will be retired on 30 June 2022, announces that Azure Kubernetes Service support for proximity placement groups is generally available and that Azure Spot on Azure Kubernetes Service is generally available
- Mikhail Shilkov (@MikhailShilkov) describes How To Deploy Temporal to Azure Container Instances
- Thomas Thornton (@tamstar1234) walks through a Azure AKS aad-pod-identity Status code 404 fix
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
- On the MSSQL Tips site, Mohammed Moinudheen explains how to Execute Recurring Deletes on Azure SQL DB using Elastic Job Agents
- The Azure updates team announces Up to 10 read replicas for MySQL - Flexible Server in in public preview, Single Server now available in Brazil Southeast in Azure Database for PostgreSQL, discusses Auditing of Microsoft support operations in Azure SQL DB and Azure SQL MI is in public preview and announces a New region for MySQL - Single Server in Brazil Southeast
- On Channel 9, Matt Gordon (@sqlatspeed) discusses Creating Your First Azure SQL Database
- Also on Channel 9, Jeremy Likness (@jeremylikness) talks about Using Entity Framework Core with Azure SQL DB and Azure Cosmos DB
- On SQL Server Central, Nai Biao Zhou talks about Adding Custom Stored Procedure Templates to SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio 2019
Developer Tools
Covering: App Configuration, Azure Lab Services, CLIs, Developer tool integrations, SDKs, Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio Online
- On the DEV site, Jim Bennett discusses how to Run Visual Studio Code on a Raspberry Pi
- On the Visual Studio blog, Leslie Richardson talks about The Future of Visual Studio Extensions
DevOps
Covering: Azure Artifacts, Azure Boards, Azure DevOps, Azure Pipelines, Azure Repos, Azure Test Plans, Azure DevTest Labs, DevOps tool integrations
- On the Microsoft DevOps blog, Jessica Deen (@jldeen) discusses Things to consider when running visual tests in CI/CD pipelines: Getting Started (Part 1)
- Also on the Microsoft DevOps blog, Steven Murawski (@StevenMurawski) lists the Top Stories from the Microsoft DevOps Community
- On Channel 9, Kyle Ruddy (@kmruddy) discusses Policy as Code with Terraform and Sentinel
- Kevin Chant talks about how to Set up your laptop as an Azure DevOps agent to test SQL Server deployments and blogs about SQL Server installation options to test Azure DevOps deployments locally
- On the Perficient blog, David Hwang describes How to Host Your Project Using Azure Build & Release Pipelines
Hybrid
Covering: Azure Arc, Azure Stack
- On the MSSQL Tips site, Garry Bargsley explains how to Install SSRS ReportServer Databases on Azure SQL Managed Instance
- Thomas Maurer (@thomasmaurer) describes Monitoring and Insights for Azure Arc enabled Servers
- On Channel 9, Sasha Nosov discusses Azure Arc Enabled SQL Server
Identity
Covering: Azure Active Directory (AD), Azure Active Directory B2C, Azure Active Directory Domain Services
Integration
Covering: Azure API for FHIR, Event Grid, Logic Apps, Service Bus
- The Azure updates team announces that Azure Log Analytics in Brazil Southeast and Norway East are in public preview and that Schema Registry for Azure Event Hubs is in public preview
- On the DEV site, Ayca Bas explains how to Get your To-Do tasks every morning on Microsoft Teams using Azure Logic Apps
- On the Serverless360 blog, Michael Stephenson (@michael_stephen) talks about Azure Logic Apps Error Handling Using Serverless360 BAM
- Also on the Serverless360 blog, Sandro Pereira (@sandro_asp) talks about Azure Logic Apps 101 – Developer tools: what are my options (Part II)
- On SQL Server Central, Rodney Landrum talks about Azure Data Factory Pipelines: Filling in the gaps
- Brad Wyatt delves into how to Text your Azure Infrastructure with Serverless Computing and PowerShell
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
- The Azure updates team announces that Azure Sphere 20.10 Update 1 is now available for compatibility testing
- On Microsoft + Open Source, Valentin Logvinskiy explains How to optimize Azure Machine Learning for IoT production usage
- On Channel 9, Rashmi Raj talks about Precision Rehabilitation using Internet of Medical Things
Learning
Covering: Microsoft Certifications, Azure Certifications, Microsoft Learning Paths, Certification Pathway Information
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
- Thomas Maurer (@thomasmaurer) explains how to Collect data from a Windows computer in a hybrid environment with Azure Monitor
- On the Azure blog, Michael Flanakin (@flanakin) describes the Azure Cost Management and Billing updates – October 2020
- The Azure updates team has made a few announcements:
Azure Monitor for containers now support capacity monitoring of Persistent Volume (PV) in preview,
Azure Automation is now available in Switzerland North region,
New VM series supported by Azure Batch,
Microsoft to establish its first datacenter region in Taiwan,
Azure Backup Price and Meter ID Change - ZA North and ZA West regions of South Africa, Application Insights in Australia Central, Brazil Southeast and Norway East is in public preview and highlights that Azure SQL DB Import-Export Direct Endpoints is retiring on 31 October 2023 - On System Center Automation, Billy York describes The Ultimate Azure Inventory Dashboard
- On the DEV site, Austin Parker (@austinlparker) discusses Azure and Lightstep
- Callon Campbell (@flying_maverick) describes How Azure App Configuration helps developers roll out new features
- On the Check your Logs blog, Cary Sun (@SifuSun) describes How to configure Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure 1.0 with auto create service account and explains How to Fix Missing SYSVOL and NETLOGON share and replication issues on new Domain Controller at Azure
- On the Sharegate blog, Stephane Lapointe (@s_lapointe) discusses Comparing Azure cost management tools with an Azure MVP
- On SQL Server Central, Dennes Torres writes - Lets move: Azure Resource Mover
- Tobias Zimmergren & Jussi Roine (@CtrlAltAzure) discuss Backups using the new Azure Backup Center
- Nicolas Bonnet (@nico_bonnet) covers Veeam and Azure
Media
Covering: Azure Media Player, Content Protection, Encoding, Live and On-Demand Streaming, Media Analytics, Media Services, Video Indexer
- On Channel 9, Frank Boucher (@FBoucheros) talks about Running an Online Conference using Microsoft Azure
Migration
Covering: Azure Database Migration Service, Azure Migrate, Data Box
- On the Azure blog, Jurgen Willis explains how to Migrate your Hadoop data lakes with WANDisco LiveData Platform for Azure
- On the endjin YouTube Channel, Ian Griffiths (@idg10) discusses Navigating the Bewildering Array of Data Services in Azure
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
- On Geeks with Blogs, Jeremy Morgan describes How to create an EC2 Auto Scaling Group with Load Balancing
- Geert Baeke covers Azure Application Gateway and Cloudflare
Security
Covering: Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Information Protection, Azure Sentinel, Key Vault, Security Center
- James van Den Berg discusses Windows Admin Center with Azure Security Center integration
- The Azure updates team announces that Policy to control the minimum TLS version used with Azure Storage now generally available
- On the DEV site, Justin Yoo (@justinchronicle) talks about Updating Azure DNS and SSL Certificate via Github Actions
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
- Andy Leonard (@AndyLeonard) blogs about View Azure Blob Storage Containers in SSMS
- Charbel Nemnom (@charbelnemnom) describes How to Get Azure File Sync Cloud Tiering Efficiency With PowerShell
Web
Covering: API apps, API Management, App Service (Web), Azure Cognitive Search, Azure SignalR Service, Azure Spring Cloud, Web apps
- The Azure updates team announces that you can now Generate a new function app from an OpenAPI specification, announces an App Service Discount for Premium Plans, and highlights that Community support for PHP 7.4 is ending on 28 November 2022 and Legacy developer portal in Azure API Management will retire on 31 October 2023
- On the Microsoft DevOps blog, Jay Gordon (@jaydestro) provides a Azure Web App Service and GitHub Actions Video Tutorial
- On the DEV site, Skyler Hartle (@skylerhartle) discusses Going from 0 to 11 with REST APIs on Azure Functions
Windows Virtual Desktop
Covering: Windows Virtual Desktop
- Stefan Georgiev (@stg3orgi) covers MSIX app attach integration in the Azure Portal
Azure Weekly Archive
If you would like to read more interesting articles from the Azure ecosystem check out our archive where you will find all of the back issues.
Contribute Content
If you would like to contribute any content to the Azure Weekly newsletter, please email azureweekly@endjin.com