What is Microsoft Azure Cloud?

1. Pre-requisite Knowledge –

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

• Basic knowledge of software development – computing, database, storage, deployment, etc.
• Cloud Computing

2. Background –

In this article, we will explore the Microsoft Azure cloud and its major services. Before we look into what is the Microsoft Azure cloud, let's understand the basic features of cloud technology and how it helps us.

What is cloud computing –

• Cloud computing is generic terminology helping to host, deliver and utilize the hosting services over the interment.
• In short, delivering end-to-end services consisting server, networking, data storage, messaging, monitoring, deploying, managing, database, AI, analytics, etc.
• These services are built using the major four pillars - Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS, e.g. Virtual machine), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS, e.g. Web application) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS, e.g. SharePoint) and serverless architecture (e.g. functions). I will write an article very soon to understand what these services in detail.
• There are three models of cloud – public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. I will write an article very soon to understand what these models.
• It has high availability.
• We can quickly set up the environments – Infrastructure, Software, etc.
• We can scale up the applications to meet peak demands as we need instantly and automatically based on the load on the resources of the cloud.
• Increase daily activities & efficiency
• Automated elasticity approach on demand
• Efficient scalability and high availability
• Automation, monitoring, deployment. We can deploy our application into the cloud in minutes.
• Cost-effective and reduce cost drastically – pay as you use model, cost on execution, suitable pricing models, etc.
• We can access the services in cloud on-demand, anytime and from anywhere.
  
  

3. Introduction of Microsoft Azure cloud –

• In simple words, it is a cloud service provided by cloud provider ‘Microsoft’.
• It is also known as ‘Windows Azure’.
• Microsoft Azure cloud is released on 1^st February 2010.
• It is an ever-expanding set of cloud services in the market nowadays.
• Microsoft claims 95% of fortune 500 companies trust their business on the Microsoft Cloud
• It has all the features which are mentioned above in the cloud computing section.
• Microsoft has data centers in 54 regions which is more than any cloud provider.
  
  
  

Image Source – Microsoft Docs

• It has an automatic operating system and application patching

4. Most important Azure Cloud Service –

• Compute
• Storage
• DataBase
• Networking
• Management & Monitoring
• Security, Identity & Role-Based Access Security
• Content Delivery
• Analytics and Big Data
• Artificial Intelligence
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Mobile Services
• Developer Tools
• Enterprise Integrations
• User-friendliness portal
• High Availability
• Pricing Options
• Disaster Recovery

5. Free Trial
6. Reference Links –

• https://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing
• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/overview/what-is-cloud-computing/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
• https://www.salesforce.com/products/platform/best-practices/cloud-computing/
• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/overview/what-is-azure/
• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/services/cloud-services/
• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/resources/videos/introduction-to-cloud-services/

Conclusion - In this article, we have learned the overview of cloud computing, the Microsoft Azure cloud, and its service.