Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, offering a wide range of services including computing, analytics, storage, and networking. It provides a flexible and scalable environment for building, deploying, and managing applications and services through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers.

• Definition: Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet ("the cloud") to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
• Types of Cloud Services:
  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
  • PaaS (Platform as a Service): Offers hardware and software tools over the internet, typically for application development.
  • SaaS (Software as a Service): Delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis.

Azure offers a broad range of services, categorized into several main types:

• Compute: Virtual machines, containers, and serverless computing.
• Networking: Virtual networks, load balancers, and gateways.
• Storage: Blob storage, file storage, and databases.
• Databases: SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and managed databases for MySQL and PostgreSQL.
• AI and Machine Learning: Cognitive Services, Machine Learning, and Bot Services.
• DevOps: Azure DevOps, Pipelines, Repos, and Artifacts.
• Security: Identity and Access Management, Security Center, and Key Vault.

• Regions: Azure is available in multiple regions around the world, allowing users to deploy services close to their customers.
• Availability Zones: Physically separate locations within an Azure region, providing high availability and resilience.

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal: Go to Azure Portal and sign in with your Azure account.
2. Navigate to Virtual Machines: In the left-hand menu, select "Virtual Machines".
3. Create a New Virtual Machine:
   • Click on "Add" to create a new virtual machine.
   • Fill in the required details:
     • Subscription: Select your Azure subscription.
     • Resource Group: Create a new resource group or select an existing one.
     • Virtual Machine Name: Provide a name for your VM.
     • Region: Choose the region where you want to deploy the VM.
     • Image: Select the operating system image (e.g., Windows Server, Ubuntu).
     • Size: Choose the size of the VM based on your requirements.
   • Administrator Account: Set up the username and password for the VM.
   • Networking: Configure the network settings, such as virtual network and subnet.
4. Review and Create: Review the configuration and click "Create" to deploy the VM.

1. Objective: Familiarize yourself with the Azure Portal and explore different services.
2. Steps:
   • Sign in to the Azure Portal.
   • Navigate through different services such as Virtual Machines, Storage Accounts, and Databases.
   • Take note of the various options and configurations available for each service.

1. Objective: Deploy a simple web application using Azure App Services.
2. Steps:
   • Sign in to the Azure Portal.
   • Navigate to "App Services" and click "Add".
   • Fill in the required details (App name, Subscription, Resource Group, etc.).
   • Choose a runtime stack (e.g., .NET, Node.js, Python).
   • Click "Review + Create" and then "Create".
   • Once deployed, navigate to the app's URL to see your web application in action.

In this section, we introduced Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform. We covered the basics of cloud computing, the types of services Azure offers, and its global infrastructure. We also provided a practical example of creating a virtual machine and exercises to help you explore Azure services and deploy a simple web application. Understanding these foundational concepts prepares you for deeper dives into specific Azure services in the upcoming modules.