What is Microsoft Azure Blueprint?

1. Pre-requisite Knowledge –

Before we start with the understanding of what is Microsoft Azure blueprints, we should know –

1. 1. Basic knowledge of cloud computing and its services
   2. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Azure
   3. Basic Knowledge of software deployment

2. Background –

I suggest going through my previous article to understand ‘Azure Resource Manager’ before we through the Azure blueprint.

ARM gives a more structured approach to create and manage the resources inside the Azure cloud. By using the ARM template which is in JSON declarative format we can deploy the resources easily.

In many cases like a software product development or where we need to deploy the same resource with similar configuration and resources as standard. In such cases, Azure blueprint comes in to picture. Now let’s see what is Azure blueprint?

3. Introduction of Microsoft Azure Blueprint –

Azure blueprints help us to define a repeatable set of Azure resources that implements and adheres to an organization's standards, patterns, and requirements. The development team can use this feature to rapidly build and up the new environment while adhering to the policies and compliance of the organization. In simple words, Azure blueprint is the reusable design parameter for the cloud which can be shared and used in the enterprise.

We can create and manage this Azure blueprint by using the Azure portal or with REST API’s. It is a one-click deployment for cloud foundation, pattern to an Azure subscription. Azure blueprints are backed up globally in different regions and datacenters by Azure Cosmos DB. This replication helps us for low latency, high availability, and consistency.

Remember, Azure blueprint consists of the definition meaning it consists of design what should be deployed into Azure cloud. The definition consists of the name of the blueprint and definition location. Definition location is the place in the Management Group hierarchy where this Blueprint Definition will be stored.

Blueprints are a declarative way to compose the deployment of various resource templates and other artifacts such as:

• Role Assignments – It allows us to add user, assign a role, access, etc.
• Policy Assignments – It allows us to add Azure policy which can be built-in or custom policy.
• Azure Resource Manager templates – It allows you to add the ARM template. Refer my article on ARM
• Resource Groups – Allows us to add a resource group.

Azure blueprint assignment is an activity for applying the blueprint when Azure blueprint is built and ready to apply. Some Azure blueprints can create the resources during the blueprint assignment and the can be locked with a state like ‘Not locked (can change/deleted), read only, cannot edit/delete’.

4. How it differs from Azure resource manager (ARM) template?

This is a very interesting question. Azure resource manager has the same features as Azure blueprint. However, Azure resource manager is documented (JSON) has no place in Azure that will tackle the relationship between the ARM and where it is installed. We must store the ARM in the safe controlled repository. On the side, Azure blueprint is natively stored in Azure and tackles the relationship with the deployment of resources. It can also be versioned and assign subscription. It helps with the auditing of the deployment operations. The single blueprint can be also used to update the multiple subscriptions at a time.

Azure blueprint can have ARM templates as artifacts and are reusable with Azure blueprint. The ARM template is important in Azure blueprint because it defines the variety of the resources in resource group.

5. Microsoft Documentation
6. Define and assign blueprint using Azure portal
7. Reference Links –

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/blueprints/overview
• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/services/blueprints/
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/blueprints/
• http://www.buchatech.com/2018/09/architect-your-cloud-with-azure-blueprints/
• https://cloudacademy.com/blog/what-are-azure-blueprints/

Conclusion – In this article, we have learned the overview of Microsoft Azure blueprint and its services.