Tutorial / Cram Notes
Deploying a template in Azure is a pivotal skill for anyone preparing for the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam. Templates, typically in the form of Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, are a powerful way to define and deploy your infrastructure as code, which ensures consistency, repeatability and can help streamline the deployment of resources.
Understanding ARM Templates
An ARM template is a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file that defines the infrastructure and configuration for your project. The template uses declarative syntax to let you define deployment properties, which Azure then uses to provision the resources.
Components of an ARM Template
An ARM template is made up of the following components:
- Parameters: Values that are provided when deployment is executed, allowing the same template to be used with different environments.
- Variables: Values that are used within the template to simplify view and enable reuse.
- Resources: The resource types that are to be deployed or updated.
- Outputs: Values that are returned after deployment.
Example of an ARM Template Skeleton
{
“$schema”: “https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#”,
“contentVersion”: “1.0.0.0”,
“parameters”: {
// Parameter definitions
},
“variables”: {
// Variable definitions
},
“resources”: [
// Resource definitions
],
“outputs”: {
// Output definitions
}
}
Deploying an ARM Template
Deployment of an ARM template can be done using several methods, including Azure Portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and Azure Resource Manager API.
Using Azure Portal
- Navigate to the Azure Portal (https://portal.azure.com).
- Click on “Create a resource”.
- Search for “Template deployment” and select it.
- Click “Create”.
- Choose “Build your own template in the editor”.
- Copy and paste your ARM template JSON into the editor or upload the file.
- Save and then fill out any required parameters.
- Review the summary and click “Create” to deploy the template.
Using Azure CLI
- Install and log in to Azure CLI.
- Use the following command to create a resource group if necessary:
az group create –name MyResourceGroup –location eastus
- Deploy the ARM template using the following command:
az deployment group create –resource-group MyResourceGroup –template-file /path/to/template.json –parameters /path/to/parameters.json
Using PowerShell
- Install and connect to Azure PowerShell.
- Create a resource group with the following command:
New-AzResourceGroup -Name MyResourceGroup -Location “East US”
- Deploy the ARM template using the following command:
New-AzResourceGroupDeployment -ResourceGroupName MyResourceGroup -TemplateFile /path/to/template.json -TemplateParameterFile /path/to/parameters.json
Best Practices for ARM Template Deployment
- Idempotent deployments: ARM templates should be designed in a way that the deployment can be run multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application.
- Modular templates: Break down larger templates into smaller, reusable components.
- Use linked templates: To manage and maintain large deployments with ease.
- Validate before deployment: Use validation commands to detect errors prior to actual deployment, e.g.,
az deployment group validateorTest-AzResourceGroupDeploymentin PowerShell.
ARM Template Deployment Validation
| Command | Azure CLI | PowerShell |
|---|---|---|
| Validate | az deployment group validate | Test-AzResourceGroupDeployment |
| Deploy | az deployment group create | New-AzResourceGroupDeployment |
By learning and practicing template deployments, candidates preparing for the AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam will be able to efficiently manage Azure resources, driving automation and consistency in their infrastructure setups.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Azure Resource Manager templates are JSON files that define the resources you need to deploy for your solution.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Azure Resource Manager templates are indeed JSON files that define the infrastructure and configuration for your project.
Which Azure service can you use to deploy templates?
- A) Azure Resource Manager
- B) Azure Service Fabric
- C) Azure Blob Storage
- D) Azure Virtual Machines
Answer: A) Azure Resource Manager
Explanation: Azure Resource Manager is the service that allows you to deploy and manage resources using templates.
True or False: When you deploy a template, you can’t deploy resources in multiple regions.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: When you deploy a template with Azure Resource Manager, you can specify different regions for deploying resources.
Which of the following can be specified within an Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template?
- A) Resources
- B) Variables
- C) Parameters
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: ARM templates can specify resources, variables, and parameters to create a customizable and repeatable deployment process.
True or False: To deploy a template in Azure, you can use Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Both Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI can be used to deploy Azure Resource Manager templates.
What is the purpose of the ‘$schema’ property in an ARM template?
- A) To define the location of stored templates
- B) To define the schema version being used
- C) To provide a hyperlink to the Azure portal
- D) To validate the resources for deployment
Answer: B) To define the schema version being used
Explanation: The ‘$schema’ property in an ARM template specifies the schema to use for validation.
True or False: You must always create a new storage account to store your ARM templates for deployment.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: You do not always have to create a new storage account for your ARM templates; you can use existing storage accounts or other methods like GitHub or Azure DevOps repositories.
After editing an ARM template, what step should be done before deploying it to Azure?
- A) Format the JSON file
- B) Validate the template
- C) Convert the template to YAML
- D) Compress the template into a .zip file
Answer: B) Validate the template
Explanation: Validating the ARM template before deployment can help find any errors that would cause the deployment to fail.
Which Azure CLI command is used to deploy a resource with an ARM template?
- A) az group create
- B) az deployment group create
- C) az resource create
- D) az template deploy
Answer: B) az deployment group create
Explanation: The `az deployment group create` command is used to start a deployment at the resource group level using an ARM template.
True or False: When working with a linked template in Azure, the linked template needs to be publicly accessible.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: When using linked templates, the linked template must be accessible via a public URL. Alternatively, a SAS token can be used if the templates are stored in a private location such as in an Azure Storage Account.
What feature of ARM templates allows you to retrieve the output information after the resources are deployed?
- A) Outputs
- B) Parameters
- C) Functions
- D) Dependencies
Answer: A) Outputs
Explanation: The Outputs section in an ARM template allows you to retrieve values after the deployment has been completed, like connection strings or IP addresses.
Interview Questions
What is an Azure Resource Manager template?
An Azure Resource Manager template is a JSON file that defines the infrastructure and configuration of your Azure resources.
What are the benefits of using Azure Resource Manager templates?
Azure Resource Manager templates provide a declarative way to define the infrastructure and configuration of your Azure resources. Templates can be stored in source control, shared with others, and used to deploy resources repeatedly in different environments. Templates enable you to automate the deployment of resources and ensure consistency across environments.
How can I create an Azure Resource Manager template?
You can create an Azure Resource Manager template using any text editor, such as Visual Studio Code. Alternatively, you can use the Azure Portal to create a template from an existing resource group.
What is the syntax for an Azure Resource Manager template?
An Azure Resource Manager template is written in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) syntax.
Can I include comments in an Azure Resource Manager template?
Yes, you can include comments in an Azure Resource Manager template by using “//” to start a single-line comment or “/* */” to enclose a multi-line comment.
Can I use variables in an Azure Resource Manager template?
Yes, you can use variables in an Azure Resource Manager template to simplify the template and make it more readable.
Can I reference resources from other resource groups or subscriptions in an Azure Resource Manager template?
Yes, you can reference resources from other resource groups or subscriptions in an Azure Resource Manager template by using their fully qualified resource IDs.
Can I specify dependencies between resources in an Azure Resource Manager template?
Yes, you can specify dependencies between resources in an Azure Resource Manager template by using the “dependsOn” property.
Can I deploy an Azure Resource Manager template from the Azure Portal?
Yes, you can deploy an Azure Resource Manager template from the Azure Portal by selecting “Template Deployment” from the list of available resources.
Can I use an existing template from the Azure Quickstart Templates gallery?
Yes, you can use an existing template from the Azure Quickstart Templates gallery by selecting “Template Deployment” from the list of available resources and selecting the “Quickstart Templates” tab.
Can I use a template from an external URL?
Yes, you can use a template from an external URL by selecting “Template Deployment” from the list of available resources and selecting the “Build your own template in the editor” tab.
How do I review my deployment settings before deploying an Azure Resource Manager template?
You can review your deployment settings before deploying an Azure Resource Manager template by selecting the “Review + create” tab on the “Basics” page.
How long does it take to deploy an Azure Resource Manager template?
The time required for deployment depends on the size of the template and the number of resources being deployed.
Can I view my deployed resources in the Azure Portal?
Yes, you can view your deployed resources in the Azure Portal by selecting the resource group where the resources were deployed.
Can I edit or delete resources that were deployed using an Azure Resource Manager template?
Yes, you can edit or delete resources that were deployed using an Azure Resource Manager template by modifying the template and deploying the changes.
Deploying a template in Azure can be tricky at first. Does anyone have tips for managing dependencies effectively?
Thanks for this blog post, it was really helpful!
What is the best practice for parameterizing templates for multiple environments?
Is there a way to validate my JSON template before deploying it?
This guide missed some details on role assignments for template deployments.
Watch out for the resource quota limits when deploying large templates; it can cause failures.
Great article, exactly what I needed!
Is there a way to automate template deployments using CI/CD pipelines?