Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive cloud platform providing infrastructure, platform, and software services for building modern applications. This collection covers Azure services, deployment patterns, cost optimization, and practical cloud architecture decisions for organizations adopting Azure.
Azure Services and Strategic Use
Azure encompasses hundreds of services spanning compute, storage, networking, databases, AI/ML, integration, and analytics. Effective cloud architects understand not just what services exist, but when to use them and when alternatives are more appropriate.
Compute Services range from virtual machines for lift-and-shift migrations, to App Service for web applications, to container services and serverless options. The choice depends on workload characteristics, team expertise, and operational requirements.
Data Services include relational databases, NoSQL options, data warehousing, and analytics platforms. Each makes specific trade-offs about consistency, scalability, query patterns, and operational complexity.
Integration and Messaging services connect applications, enable asynchronous workflows, and support event-driven architectures.
Cloud Adoption and Operations
Articles in this section cover Azure service selection, infrastructure as code with Bicep and Terraform, cost management strategies, security and compliance, and operational patterns for production Azure workloads. Topics include migration strategies, hybrid scenarios, and designing for Azure’s specific capabilities.
The emphasis remains practical: understanding Azure options, making informed architectural choices, and avoiding vendor lock-in decisions made without deliberation.
