The Azure Portal is a web-based, unified console that provides an alternative to command-line tools. It allows you to manage your Azure resources through a graphical user interface. This section will cover the key features and functionalities of the Azure Portal, helping you to navigate and utilize it effectively.

1. Dashboard Customization: Personalize your dashboard to display the most relevant information and resources.
2. Resource Management: Create, configure, and manage Azure resources.
3. Monitoring and Alerts: Set up monitoring and alerts to keep track of resource performance and health.
4. Access Control: Manage user access and permissions using Azure Active Directory.
5. Billing and Cost Management: Track your spending and manage your budget.

• Dashboard: The default landing page where you can pin resources, charts, and other information.
• All Services: Access a comprehensive list of all Azure services.

• Located at the top of the portal, it allows you to quickly find resources, services, and documentation.

• Logical containers that help you manage and organize your resources.

• Alerts and updates about the status of your resources and actions.

• Access portal settings, documentation, and support.

Let's walk through the process of creating a Virtual Machine (VM) using the Azure Portal.

1. Navigate to the Azure Portal: Open your web browser and go to https://portal.azure.com.
2. Sign In: Use your Azure account credentials to sign in.
3. Create a Resource:
   • Click on the "Create a resource" button on the left-hand menu.
   • In the "New" window, select "Compute" and then "Virtual Machine".
4. Configure the VM:
   • Basics: Enter the required details such as subscription, resource group, VM name, region, and image.
   • Size: Choose the VM size based on your requirements.
   • Settings: Configure additional settings like disks, networking, management, and tags.
5. Review and Create:
   • Review your configurations and click "Create" to deploy the VM.

Here is an example of how you might configure a VM using the Azure Portal:

1. Navigate to the Azure Portal: https://portal.azure.com
2. Sign In: Use your Azure account credentials.
3. Create a Resource:
   • Click on "Create a resource".
   • Search for "Storage account" and select it.
4. Configure the Storage Account:
   • Basics: Enter the required details such as subscription, resource group, storage account name, region, and performance.
   • Advanced: Configure additional settings like replication and access tier.
5. Review and Create:
   • Review your configurations and click "Create" to deploy the storage account.

• Incorrect Resource Group: Ensure you select the correct resource group to avoid mismanagement of resources.
• Region Selection: Choose a region close to your users to reduce latency.
• Naming Conventions: Use clear and consistent naming conventions for easy identification and management of resources.

The Azure Portal is a powerful tool that simplifies the management of Azure resources through an intuitive graphical interface. By understanding its key features and navigation, you can efficiently manage your Azure environment. In the next section, we will delve into the Azure Resource Manager, which provides a more structured way to manage your resources.