What Is Microsoft Azure

Imagine you need to build a Kubernetes cluster in the real world. You need to buy a few servers, configure them, run network cables to each one. Then you need to install and configure Kubernetes-related software on each one. It's a complicated process.

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Cloud computing lets you do this stuff much faster. For example, let's say you want that Kubernetes cluster. But you want to do this in the cloud, instead of buying your own hardware. With a few clicks on a web page, you select the AKS, Azure Kubernetes Service. Then you pick how many nodes you want in that cluster, how many resources each node should have, and bam! You have a fully functional Kubernetes cluster. No need to even configure a server.

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Here are some other examples of Azure services:

• In case you need a server where you want to install an operating system, you can use a virtual machine. Then you can configure it as you would a real server. You pick how many CPU cores you want, how much memory, how much disk space, and so on. You basically build a virtual computer in the cloud. But if you don't want to manage a server on your own, then you have other alternatives. For example, you can:

• Store and use databases without needing to configure a server yourself

• Run code in the cloud, again with no need to configure a server

• Run containers (for example, Docker containers). Yet again, no need to configure servers.

• Get storage space where you can backup data or simply store files.

• And so on. The list of Azure services available in the cloud is huge.

KodeKloud Azure Playground

It's nice that you can choose from hundreds of things. If you want to build any type of service, the cloud has you covered. It gives you access to almost anything you might require. But this immense selection of services can also intimidate. Especially at first sight. It's hard to figure out what those things do and how you should use them. And it takes a bit of experimenting to understand them. That's why we created playgrounds at KodeKloud.

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The Azure Playground lets you test out a few of these cloud-hosted services. So you can see for yourself what's what. With a simple click, you can immediately begin testing the Azure platform. No need to create an Azure account, provide credit/debit card details, and so on. One click and you get dropped into the Azure web interface. So you get to play with Azure services, risk free. There's no risk of forgetting to close a service and wake up with a $200 bill.

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Global Limitations:

• The Azure playground does not include the option to create additional resource groups.
• Users cannot purchase anything from the Azure marketplace or access billing or cost information.
• Cannot elevate access
• Cannot create or modify role definitions or assignments.
• Other blocked functionality
  • Add-ons
  • Management groups
  • SaaS subscriptions
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Supported Azure Regions

‍The regions supported in our Azure playground are:

• West US
• East US
• Central US
• South Central US