Learn Microsoft Azure
from the beginning

What Microsoft Azure is, simply explained

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform operated by Microsoft. It covers the same categories as AWS and GCP (compute, storage, networking, databases, and identity management) and integrates closely with the Microsoft ecosystem: Active Directory, Microsoft 365, GitHub, and Visual Studio.

Azure is the dominant cloud provider in large enterprise companies, the UK public sector, and organisations that run Microsoft infrastructure. If your target employer uses on-premises Active Directory, Exchange, or SharePoint, there is a high chance they use Azure. Start with What is Microsoft Azure if you are new to the platform.

Azure Learning Path

245 pages covering Azure fundamentals, IAM and security, compute, containers, storage, networking, DevOps, monitoring, data analytics, architecture, troubleshooting, cost management, and service comparisons. Start with Fundamentals if you are new to Microsoft Azure.

Azure Fundamentals

IAM & Security

Compute Services

Containers & Kubernetes

Storage Services

Networking

DevOps & CI/CD

Monitoring & Observability

Data & Analytics

Architecture & Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Cost Management & FinOps

Service Comparisons

Common Azure beginner mistakes

Assigning roles at subscription scope when resource group scope is enough

Azure RBAC roles cascade down through the resource hierarchy. Assigning broad roles at subscription level gives more access than intended. Scope roles to resource groups or individual resources where possible. Read principle of least privilege in Azure.

Using storage account keys instead of Managed Identities

Storage account keys are static long-lived credentials. For applications running on Azure compute (VMs, Functions, AKS), use Managed Identities to access storage instead. Read Managed Identities overview.

Not understanding the subscription and management group hierarchy

Azure organises resources into subscriptions, management groups, and tenants. Permissions and policies applied at management group level affect all child subscriptions. Read Azure resource hierarchy.

Not setting cost alerts

Azure does not cap spending automatically. VMs left running, premium storage, and egress can accumulate significant costs. Read setting budgets and cost alerts.

Confusing NSGs with Azure Firewall

Network Security Groups (NSGs) filter traffic at the subnet and NIC level. Azure Firewall is a managed service for centralised perimeter control. Read network security groups explained.

Azure vs AWS vs GCP

Azure is the second largest cloud provider globally and the dominant choice in enterprise IT and Microsoft-centric organisations.

Where Azure leads

Azure has the strongest integration with Active Directory / Entra ID, making it the natural choice for organisations already running Microsoft identity infrastructure. It is the dominant provider in UK public sector, NHS, financial services, and large enterprises with Microsoft licensing agreements. Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions are mature CI/CD platforms with deep Azure integration.

Where AWS and GCP differ

AWS has the broadest service catalogue and the most cloud job postings globally. GCP leads in BigQuery for data analytics, GKE for Kubernetes, and networking performance. If your goal is the widest job market, AWS is the more common choice. If you are targeting data engineering, GCP has advantages.