Microsoft Azure Services: The Complete Overview Cheatsheet

Introduction: Understanding Azure Cloud Platform

Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive cloud computing platform offering a vast array of services for building, deploying, and managing applications through Microsoft’s global network of data centers. Azure provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that enable organizations to reduce operational costs, scale efficiently, and innovate faster while maintaining security and compliance.

Core Azure Concepts & Principles

Azure Service Categories

Compute Services

• Virtual Machines

  • IaaS offering for full control over OS and applications
  • Supports Windows and Linux operating systems
  • Offers various VM series optimized for different workloads
  • Includes availability sets and scale sets for reliability and scaling

• App Service

  • PaaS for hosting web apps, mobile app backends, and RESTful APIs
  • Supports multiple languages and frameworks (.NET, Java, Node.js, Python, PHP)
  • Built-in auto-scaling and load balancing
  • Integrates with CI/CD workflows

• Azure Functions

  • Serverless compute service for event-driven applications
  • Pay-per-execution pricing model
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Automatic scaling based on demand

• Container Services

  • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): Managed Kubernetes service
  • Container Instances: Fastest way to deploy containers
  • Container Registry: Storage for Docker container images

Storage Services

• Azure Blob Storage

  • Unstructured object storage for text/binary data
  • Hot, cool, and archive access tiers
  • Lifecycle management capabilities

• Azure Files

  • Fully managed file shares accessible via SMB and REST
  • Supports hybrid scenarios with on-premises access

• Azure Disk Storage

  • Persistent, high-performance block storage for VMs
  • Ultra, Premium SSD, Standard SSD, and Standard HDD options

• Azure Table Storage

  • NoSQL key-attribute store for semi-structured data
  • Schema-less design for application flexibility

• Azure Queue Storage

  • Service for storing large numbers of messages
  • Enables asynchronous processing between application components

Database Services

• Azure SQL Database

  • Fully managed relational database service
  • Built-in intelligence and security
  • High availability with 99.99% SLA

• Azure Cosmos DB

  • Globally distributed, multi-model database service
  • Multiple APIs: SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table
  • Sub-millisecond response times with global replication

• Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL/MariaDB

  • Fully managed versions of open-source databases
  • Built-in high availability and security
  • Automatic backups and point-in-time restore

• SQL Server on VMs

  • Full control over SQL Server instance and operating system
  • Lift-and-shift migration option for existing workloads

• Azure Synapse Analytics

  • Analytics service that brings together enterprise data warehousing and big data analytics
  • Formerly SQL Data Warehouse

Networking Services

• Virtual Network

  • Isolated network environment in Azure
  • Subnet configuration and network security groups
  • VPN Gateway and ExpressRoute connectivity options

• Load Balancer

  • High-performance, low-latency Layer 4 distribution of traffic
  • Internal and public load balancing options

• Application Gateway

  • Web traffic load balancer with HTTP layer (Layer 7) routing
  • WAF capabilities for enhanced security

• Content Delivery Network (CDN)

  • Global content delivery with low latency
  • Dynamic site acceleration and media streaming

• Traffic Manager

  • DNS-based traffic load balancer
  • Geographical routing methods for global applications

• Azure Firewall

  • Managed, cloud-based network security service
  • Built-in high availability and unrestricted cloud scalability

AI & Machine Learning Services

• Azure Machine Learning

  • End-to-end platform for building, training, and deploying ML models
  • Automated ML and designer for code and low-code experiences

• Cognitive Services

  • Pre-built AI models for vision, speech, language, and decision
  • Easily integrate AI capabilities into applications

• Azure Bot Service

  • Platform for building, testing, and deploying chatbots
  • Integration with Microsoft Teams, Cortana, and other channels

• Azure OpenAI Service

  • API access to OpenAI’s GPT models
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance

IoT Services

• IoT Hub

  • Managed service for bi-directional IoT communications
  • Device provisioning and management

• IoT Central

  • Application platform for creating IoT solutions
  • No deep cloud development expertise required

• IoT Edge

  • Service for running cloud intelligence and analytics on IoT devices
  • Support for containers and offline capabilities

Integration Services

• Logic Apps

  • IPaaS solution for automating workflows and business processes
  • 400+ connectors for SaaS and enterprise applications

• Service Bus

  • Enterprise messaging service for decoupling applications
  • Supports queues, topics, and subscriptions

• Event Grid

  • Event routing service for reactive programming
  • Simplifies event-based application development

• API Management

  • Publish, manage, secure, and analyze APIs
  • Developer portal for API documentation

Developer & DevOps Tools

• Azure DevOps

  • Development collaboration tools including pipelines, repos, boards
  • End-to-end solution for CI/CD

• GitHub and GitHub Actions

  • Code hosting and collaboration with integrated CI/CD capabilities
  • Automate software workflows

• Visual Studio App Center

  • Build, test, distribute, and monitor apps
  • Supports iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS

• Azure DevTest Labs

  • Create environments for development and testing
  • Cost control and governance features

Azure Management & Governance

Management Tools

• Azure Portal

  • Web-based unified console
  • Customizable dashboard and visualization

• Azure PowerShell

  • PowerShell cmdlets for Azure management
  • Task automation and configuration

• Azure CLI

  • Cross-platform command-line interface
  • Scripting and automation capabilities

• ARM Templates

  • JSON files defining infrastructure as code
  • Declarative deployment of resources

• Azure Cloud Shell

  • Browser-based shell experience
  • Pre-configured with Azure tools

Governance Services

• Azure Policy

  • Create, assign, and manage policy definitions
  • Enforce organizational standards

• Azure Blueprints

  • Package key artifacts for compliant deployments
  • Orchestrate template deployment

• Management Groups

  • Hierarchical organization of subscriptions
  • Apply governance controls at scale

• Cost Management

  • Tools for monitoring, allocating, and optimizing costs
  • Budgets and alerts for cost control

Security & Identity Services

• Azure Active Directory

  • Cloud-based identity and access management
  • Single sign-on and multi-factor authentication

• Key Vault

  • Safeguard cryptographic keys and secrets
  • Certificate management

• Security Center

  • Unified security management and threat protection
  • Security posture assessment

• Sentinel

  • Cloud-native SIEM and SOAR solution
  • Threat detection and response

Monitoring & Analytics Services

• Azure Monitor

  • Platform for collecting, analyzing, and acting on telemetry data
  • Metrics, logs, and distributed tracing

• Application Insights

  • Application performance management service
  • Deep insights into application behavior

• Log Analytics

  • Query and analyze log data from various sources
  • Custom dashboards and visualizations

Common Use Cases & Solution Architectures

Migration to Cloud

• Azure Migrate

  • Discovery, assessment, and migration of on-premises workloads
  • Support for servers, databases, web apps, and virtual desktops

• Lift and Shift

  • Move existing applications without redesign
  • Utilize Azure Site Recovery and Database Migration Service

Hybrid Cloud Solutions

• Azure Arc

  • Extend Azure management to any infrastructure
  • Support for servers, Kubernetes clusters, and data services

• Azure Stack

  • Azure Stack Hub: Extension of Azure to on-premises environments
  • Azure Stack HCI: Hyperconverged infrastructure
  • Azure Stack Edge: AI-enabled edge computing device

Modern Application Development

• Microservices Architecture

  • Use AKS, Service Fabric, or App Service
  • Implement API Management and Service Bus for communication

• Serverless Applications

  • Combine Azure Functions, Logic Apps, and Event Grid
  • Focus on business logic rather than infrastructure

Best Practices & Tips

Cost Optimization

• Use Azure Advisor for cost recommendations
• Implement auto-scaling to match demand
• Choose appropriate VM sizes and storage tiers
• Utilize reserved instances for predictable workloads
• Set up budgets and alerts to monitor spending

Reliability & High Availability

• Deploy across multiple availability zones
• Implement traffic routing with Azure Traffic Manager
• Use managed services where possible to reduce operational overhead
• Design for failure with redundancy and automatic failover

Security & Compliance

• Follow the principle of least privilege with RBAC
• Enable MFA for administrative accounts
• Use Private Link and Service Endpoints for secure connectivity
• Encrypt data at rest and in transit
• Implement network segmentation with NSGs

Performance Efficiency

• Leverage Azure CDN to cache content closer to users
• Use Azure Cache for Redis to improve application performance
• Select the right storage tier based on performance needs
• Monitor performance with Azure Monitor and Application Insights

Azure Service Selection Guide

Resources for Further Learning

• Official Documentation

  • Azure Documentation
  • Azure Architecture Center

• Training & Certification

  • AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
  • AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
  • AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
  • AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

• Community Resources

  • Azure Friday (video series)
  • Microsoft Learn Community
  • Azure blog

• Free Learning Paths

  • Microsoft Learn
  • Azure Architecture Center

This cheatsheet provides a comprehensive overview of Azure services, but remember to refer to the latest Microsoft documentation for the most current information, as Azure constantly evolves with new features and services.